Kana and Mana, oct 2010

 Maiko Toshimana

 Kyoto 2010

How great to see Maiko Toshikana and Toshimana. They danced at Fureikan in Oct. I can't describe how beautiful they were.

 Maiko Toshikana, portrait

 Kyoto 2010

 Mana and Kana, miyagawacho

 Kyoto 2010

After they danced they were introduced to a craftsman making lacquer ware. The below picture is my favorite of this series.

 Maiko Toshikana, portrait

Kyoto 2010

Shichigosan 753, second portrait series

 Shichigosan, Kamigamo shrine

 Kyoto 2010

Here is another photo series children celebrating Shichigosan at Kamigamo shrine. They are all so beautiful. 

 3 years old girl, Shichigosan, Kamigamo Shrine

 Kyoto 2010

 

5 years old boy, Shichigosan, Kamigamo Shrine

Kyoto 2010

Mamehana 豆はな, Erikae #2

Geiko Mamehana, erikae

Kyoto 2010

Above is Mamehana san during her erikae. The below picture was taken only 4 days before but she seems much younger as a (still) Maiko. As always, I am so grateful to her for her kindness and patience for all the pictures I could shoot.

Maiko Mamehana, 4 days before her erikae

Kyoto 2010

Mamehana 豆はな, Erikae

Geiko Mamehana, erikae

Kyoto 2010

Here is a first pictures selection of Mamehana-san erikae. Difficult to choose which one to post.

Gion ko Uta Matsuri, Maruyama Koen

Gion Ko Uta Matsuri, Maruyama Koen

Kyoto 2010

#Maiko Ryouka and Kanoka from Gion Higashi getting ready to read the lyrics of the famous song Gion Ko Uta. They had a lot of fun although the ceremony was quite formal. 

Maiko Umehisa, Iwai-mai 祝舞

Maiko Umehisa before performing the Momiji dance

Kyoto 2010 

Several events take place at Kitano tenmangu to celebrate the Momiji season. The highlight is Iwai-mai, dances performed by Maiko of Kamishichiken, this year Maiko Umehisa, Umeyae and Ichimomo. If only they could have started one hour earlier. The scenery was perfect, red bridge, momiji and other colorful autumn leaves on the background. It was a bit too dark to take good pictures when it started at 05:00pm but anyway I won't complain, I enjoyed it a lot right in front of them.

 Maiko Umehisa, dance

 Kyoto 2010

 

Maiko Umehisa, obi

Kyoto 2010

Maiko Mamehana 豆はな, last days as a Maiko

 Mamehana san, sakkou

Kyoto 2010 

As always a pleasure to see Mamehana-san. And what a chance to see her dressed up like this,  a few days before her erikae, the ceremony where she will be become a Geiko. I'm so grateful to her for this wonderful series. I'll post more photos after her erikae.

Mamehana san, sakkou (hairstyle before erikae)

Kyoto 2010

Shichigosan 753, children celebration

 3 years old girl, shichigosan ceremony　

 Kamigamo Shrine, Kyoto 2010　

Shichi-go-san, literally Seven, five and three is a ceremony held by the parents to celebrate the growth of their children at the age of 3, 5 and 7, the lucky numbers! The ceremony is normally held on Nov 15, but throughout November families go to the shrines for the ceremony wearing kimono. These portraits were shot as Kamigamo Jinja (shrine) in Northern Kyoto which is popular for these family celebrations and busy in November with Shichigosan, weddings etc...

Check Kamigamo shrine website here (English/Japanese)

 7 years old girl, shichigosan ceremony

Kamigamo Shrine, Kyoto 2010

Not sure the children understand the point of Shichigosan but at least they know that after the ceremony and exhausting photo session, they get a nice bag full of sweets and presents like for these 2 girls on the below photo.

3 years old girls, shichigosan ceremony

 Kamigamo Shrine, Kyoto 2010

Yes, really exhausting photo session for these two brothers....

3 years old boy and his elder brother

shichigosan ceremony

 Kamigamo Shrine, Kyoto 2010

Maiko Chizu, Light up at Kodaiji temple

#Kodaiji temple, #momiji light up

Kyoto 2010

OK, a temple light-up when tripods are not allowed is kind of frustrating. But still, I went there because I like Kodaiji and I share the enthusiasm of the Japanese for the Momiji season (maple red leaves). I have tried somehow to get something from this scene, I am not 100% satisfied with these shots but there are not that bad.

I was focusing on my camera settings when I suddenly heard in the crowd the voice of a Maiko. They are also enthusiastic but the way they speak is very particular so I could distinguish her voice.

I turned around and saw Maiko Chizu with a guest. He was also having a hard time trying to take a picture of her in the dark etc...When he went to buy the tickets I asked for her permission to make a portrait calling her by her name. She was of course very surprised that I would know her name. The guest came back and they both asked me questions and laughed that I would recognize her. How great! Then, I didn't bother them any longer. View the portrait below in this post.

 Kodaiji temple, momiji light up

Kyoto 2010

 Kodaiji temple, momiji light up

Kyoto 2010

 

 Maiko Chizu, portrait at Kodaiji

 Kyoto 2010

Geiko Ichiyuri in Gion on Saturday night

Geiko, Gion at night

Kyoto 2010

It's always an amazing atmosphere in the evening in Gion, Kyoto famous entertainment district. Not only because it's full of excellent traditional restaurants but also because you can see Maiko and Geiko going to the Ochaya etc...

I didn't recognize Geiko Ichiyuri at first.. I could make these shots while waiting on the side walk.

Momiji Nov 14

#Momiji Nov 14, Imperial Palace garden

Kyoto 2010

Maple leaves started to turn red mid Nov. This is the momiji season and it will last up to early Dec. And as every year, this is a privilege to admire these amazing colors in Kyoto.

3 colors, Imperial Palace Garden

Kyoto 2010

Shoren-In temple, 青蓮院

Shoren-in #temple, Inside Kogosho building

Higashiyama, Kyoto 2010

Shoren-In is one of the treasures of Higashiyama. This is usually not so crowded since this is near other popular spots such as Chion-In or Yasaka shrine. The temple consists in 4 main buildings, a tea house and a garden.



Check Shoren-In temple website here (English/Japanese)

Fusuma (sliding door), Kacho-den building

Shoren-In, Higashiyama, Kyoto 2010

Bamboo, on the way to Hiyoshi Jinja

Shoren-In, Higashiyama, Kyoto 2010

Another view to the garden, from Kogosho building

Shoren-In, Higashiyama, Kyoto 2010

Kyo Sudare 京すだれ, Kyoto bamboo blinds

Bamboo blind series, sudare

Shinbashi #Gion, Kyoto 2010

Kyo Sudare, (Kyoto photogenic) bamboo blinds can be seen everywhere in Kyoto in temples, shrines, restaurants and machiya (traditional houses). They are used to shield from the sun, rain or insect.

School kids, uniform

School kids, uniforms

Kyoto 2010

These pictures were taken during Jidai Matsuri. Children from various Kyoto schools attended the festival.

 Group walking in front of Kyoto Imperial Palace

 Kyoto 2010

Yellow hats, Imperial palace

Kyoto 2010

Cosplayer portrait, girls band

Guitarist, #Manga Museum

Kyoto 2010 

I don't know the real manga but I like the style of both characters. Their guitars didn't produce any sound but maybe had special powers...

 Singer, Manga Museum

 Kyoto 2010

Girls band, Manga Museum

Kyoto 2010

Cosplayer portrait, dangerous association

Cosplayers portrait, Manga Museum

Kyoto 2010

What a stunning association ! Cosplayers at Kyoto Manga Museum. Portraits 50mm, focus set on the weapons.

Were they about to shoot the photographer...or just strangle him ?

Strangler, Manga Museum

Kyoto 2010

Geiko Katsuru 勝瑠, macha

Katsuru san, preparing Macha at Nishijin kimono festival Kamigamo, Kyoto 2010

Katsuru san became a beautiful Geiko. Unfortunately I couldnt go to her erikae last week. How lucky I felt when I saw her today at Nishijin Kimono contest preparing and serving Macha with other Maiko and Geiko of Kamishichiken. I sat right in front of her (the bench was surprisingly empty), enjoyed the macha she prepared (served by Umeyae) and took tons of photos of her.

Katsuru, portrait

 Kamigamo, Kyoto 2010

I am so grateful for her kindness and patience for all the pictures and this lovely portrait.

Katsuru, portrait

 Kamigamo, Kyoto 2010

 

Katsuru, portrait

 Kamigamo, Kyoto 2010