Memories of 2010 : December, Mame... at Kaomise Soken

Lovely Mamehana

Kyoto 2010

Kaomise Soken was the first public appearance of Mamehana san after her erikae. I was hoping to see her and to get a good shot. How great to finally get this shot of Mamehana, Mamechiho and Mamesome crossing shijo-dori. With such a crowd waiting for them, I didn't think I could get such a good one.

This is my last post for 2010. Thanks to all for following my photos and posting your comments on flickr or facebook. I really appreciate. My best wishes to everyone for next year.

My last thought for this year is for Onihide who was such an inspiration and so kind to all of us. May he rest in peace.

Mamesome, Mamehana, Mamechiho.

Kyoto 2010

Memories of 2010 : November, Mamehana san's erikae

Maiko Mamehana Nov 21

Kyoto 2010

November highlight was Mamehana san erikae, the ceremony when she became a beautiful Geiko.

Geiko Mamehana Nov 25

Kyoto 2010

Memories of 2010 : October, Jidai Matsuri

 Madame Fujiwara Tamie, by Geiko Kouyo, portrait

 Kyoto 2010

 

Jidai Matsuri is certainly the most photogenic festival in Kyoto : 2000 participants wearing historical costumes in the perfect location, the Imperial Park. I took hundreds of great portraits thanks to the wonderful participants, including Maiko and Geiko. This is Geiko Kouyo dressed in Madame Fujiwara Tamie (wearing a headdress called Uchi Katsugi). This is one of my favorite portrait because it has something dramatic with the Uchikatsugi hiding part of her face and her looking at the camera but at the same time she seems to be absent.

On the below picture, you can see how the headdress looks like.

Memories of 2010 : September, Maiko Tanewaka

Treasure, Tanewaka san Hanameishi

 Kyoto 2010

September was the last performance of Maiko Tanewaka at Kokusai Hotel. Over the summer, Maiko from Miyagawacho performed dances every week-end as an event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the hotel. It's very near my home and I could attend almost every performances. Tanewaka san was surprised to see me every time and finally step by step got used to this unusual face. I am so grateful to her for her patience and kindness. The last session was wonderful. Almost nobody went there (apart from her fans!) and we could talk and laugh while taking pictures.

 Maiko Tanewaka, Portrait

Kyoto 2010

Memories of 2010 : August, Horanya Himatsuri

Fire, Horanya Matsuri

Nara 2010

How far would you go for your religion and belief ? 

I shot these dramatic scenes during Horanya Himatsuri -Horanya Fire festival- in the peaceful little village of Kashihara near Nara. This 300-year-old festival is held every year to pray for good harvest and prosperity. To this end, the participants (every men of the village) light several torches (diameter 1.5m, 500 kg) that they carry around a shrine until it burns completely.

Lighting up the torch, Horanya Matsuri

Nara 2010

Memories of 2010, July - Maiko Kyouka and Sayaka at Gion Matsuri

 Maiko Kyouka and Sayaka at Gion Matsuri

 Kyoto 2010

Gion Matsuri is the most famous festival in Japan. It takes place every year in July in Kyoto and is crowned by a procession on July 17 called Yamaboko Junkō (山鉾巡行). Instead of posting pictures of the floats (portable shrine), I selected these pictures of Maiko Kyouka and Sayaka attending the procession. They were so beautifully dressed up to watch and encourage the men carrying the floats. Kyouka is not only pretty but she seems to be always joking. They were laughing after Kyouka said to Sayaka  (pointing at a man on a float): Don't you think the guy over there look like Robert de Niro ? (he obviously didn't).

Maiko Kyouka, attending the procession, Gion Matsuri

Kyoto 2010

Memories of 2010, June - Jamaki Festival Children portrait series

 

 Boy getting ready for the parade

 Nara 2010

 
I already posted this children portrait series taken during Jamaki Festival near Nara, but I like it so much. All these children had such beautiful and innocent expression.

Memories of 2010, May - Ujigami Matsuri Festival

 Men carrying the mikoshi from Otoyo Shrine

 Kyoto 2010

I spent the summer going to one festival to another. There are so many in Kyoto and the Kansai. People are always so enthusiastic. It's often about a portable shrine (Mikoshi) that needs to be carried out all day by men through different parts of the city. These scenes are always so impressive and photogenic.

These pictures were taken on May 4th during Ujigami Festival, Otoyo Shrine (Higashiyama).

 Women encouraging the men with a sensu (fan)

 Kyoto 2010

The name of the shrine (Otoyo) is written on the fan.

Start of the procession, Men carrying the Mikoshi

Kyoto 2010

About Otoyo Shrine 大豊神社

Otoyo-jinja Shrine is dedicated to the local divinities who give protection to the district covering Shishigatani and Nanzen-ji Temple. According to tradition the shrine was founded in 887 to beseech the gods for a cure for illness suffered by Emperor Uda. It was built on Shishigatani the 15th peak of the 36 peaks in the Higashiyama range in east Kyoto. In 1954 Kyoto City listed the shrine as a Place of Scenic Beauty among the ancient temples and shrines gracing the city.