Maiko Fukumari ふく真莉 Portrait

The below portrait of Maiko Fukumari ふく真莉 was shot in June 2010.

Like Tanefumi-san, she is from Miyagawacho Hanamachi too. Her Misedashi , the ceremony where she made her debut as a Maiko, took place a few weeks before I shot this portrait in one of her first public appearance. She was a bit nervous but still lovely or as Japanese would say “kawaii”.

Maiko Fukumari, Portrait, 50mm

Kyoto, June 2010

Click here to view a slideshow of Maiko Fukumari performing a dance on the famous song Gion-Ko-Uta.
And read here about her and about her lipstick....

Maiko Fukumari ふく真莉 Dance

View a slideshow of Maiko Fukumari performing Gion-Ko-Uta dance.

Click on the slideshow to view it full screen and to define your settings.

Maiko Tanefumi 田ね文 Maiko Fukumari ふく真莉

Maiko Tanefumi, Portrait

Kyoto, June 2010 

Maiko Tanefumi is from the Hanamachi of Miyagawacho. I could shoot this lovely portrait 3 days before her Misedashi, the ceremony where she would make her debut as a Maiko. So, on this picture she was not a Maiko yet but still Minarai (apprentice, litterally means “watch and learn”).

She has no red lipstick on her upper lip as it usually is on the first year as a Maiko. She will start using it from the second year.

The below portrait of Maiko Fukumari ふく真莉 was shot on the same month.

On this picture, she was also on her first year as a Maiko and therefore without red lipstick on her upper lip.

Maiko Fukumari, Portrait
Kyoto, June 2010

Maiko Umehisa 梅比沙

Maiko Umehisa

Kamishichiken Beer Garden, Kyoto, July 2010

Same as Maiko Katsuru, Umehisa-san is also a Maiko of Kamishichiken Hanamachi. Every evening of the summer this Hanamachi opens a beer garden which is a great opportunity to see the Maiko without Oshiroi (white make-up) and to discuss with them.

On this portrait, she has the hair style of Gion Matsuri, Kyoto most famous festival, that takes place the second week of July.

Maiko Katsuru 勝瑠

Portrait of Maiko Katsuru

Kamishichiken Beer Garden, Kyoto, July 2010

Katsuru-san 勝瑠 is a Maiko of Kamishichiken Hanamachi (Maiko district), the oldest Maiko district located in the northern part of Kyoto near Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. Every evening of the summer this Hanamachi opens a beer garden which is a great opportunity to see the Maiko without Oshiroi (white make-up) and to discuss with them.

Below is another portrait of Maiko Katsuru that I shot in March 2010 during Higashiyama Hanatouro which is an event where the major zen gardens and temples of this popular area can be visited at night. Night photo sessions take place with some Maiko at that time.
http://www.hanatouro.jp/e/index.html


Maiko Katsuru was wearing a beautiful Kimono but probably a bit chilly for that time of the year because she explained that she got cold and was worried about her make-up.

Portrait of Maiko Katsuru

Higashiyama, Kyoto, March 2010

Maiko Toshiyui とし結

Portrait of Maiko Toshiyui

Kyoto, June 2010

Like Maiko Tanewaka, Toshiyui-san is a Maiko of Miyagawa-cho (宮川町) Hanamachi. I had the chance to take this lovely portrait after she performed Gion-Ko-Uta dance below :

Maiko Toshiyui

performing Gion-Ko-Uta, Kyoto, June 2010

I also saw  her (below picture) performing a dance at Yasaka shrine in March 2010 during Higashiyama Hanatouro : http://www.hanatouro.jp/e/index.html

Maiko Toshiyui, dancing at Yasaka Shrine

Higashiyama Hanatouro, March 2010

And before that, I bumped into her in Gion one year before, where actually she looked much younger...

Maiko Toshiyui, walking through Gion
Kyoto, June 2009

Maiko Tanewaka たね若

Portrait of Maiko Tanewaka

Kyoto, June 2010

Tanewaka-san is a Maiko of Miyagawa-cho (宮川町) Hanamachi. She is wearing a beautiful purple kimono with a yellow obi or darari (belt). Maiko wear a different Kanzashi (hair ornament) every month. We can find out from her Kanzashi that I shot this portrait in June because it contains a Hydrangea. This flower blooms during the rainy season in June. I could shoot this lovely portrait after she performed a dance (picture below) on the famous song Gion-ko-uta 祇園小唄 in the garden of Kyoto Kokusai Hotel.

Maiko Tanewaka

Performing Gion-ko-uta 祇園小唄 , Kyoto, June 2010

Maiko Ayano あや野 and Maiko Shinaju 志奈壽 of Pontocho

Portrait of Maiko Ayano

Pontocho, Kyoto, April 2010

Maiko Ayano is from the Hanamachi of Pontocho. I bumped into her when walking through Pontocho, Kyoto famous narrow street full of restaurants and bars. I am grateful to her for allowing me to shoot this lovely portrait. Day-time offers a chance to see the Maiko of this Hanamachi walking through Pontocho wearing colorful Kimono without Oshiroi (white make-up).

I also bumped into Maiko Shinaju a few minutes later and took the below picture of her wearing this beautiful blue kimono.

Maiko Shinaju
Pontocho, Kyoto, April 2010

The below picture is the same scene of Maiko Shinaju walking through Pontocho.  It gives a good overview of this narrow street and lanterns of the restaurants.

Maiko Shinaju
walking through Pontocho, Kyoto, March 2010