Kyoto 2010

 2010 Janome

Completely handmade in Kyoto from bamboo and Japanese washi paper, the Janome Wagasa (umbrella) is truly an impressive work of art. The name Janome means “snake eye” as the white ring navigating around the Wagasa resembles the eye of a snake.

The Janome Wagasa is famously associated with Kyoto’s Maiko (apprentice geisha) and Geisha, as it perfectly compliments a traditional Kimono. Often Ukiyo-e woodblock prints of the Edo period (1603-1867) will feature these beautiful women with a Janome Wagasa, a symbol of elegance and sophistication. Janome Wagasa also plays an important role in Kabuki, a form of traditional Japanese theatre.
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Kyoto 2009

Kyoto 2009 Maiko

Maiko is an apprentice Geiko (not exactly same as geisha) in Kyoto, western Japan. Their jobs consist of performing songs, dances, and playing the shamisen (three-stringed Japanese instrument) for visitors during feasts. Maiko are usually aged 15 to 20 years old and become Geiko after learning how to dance (a kind of Japanese traditional dance), play the shamisen, and learning Kyō-kotoba (dialect of Kyoto), regardless of their origins.

Maiko wear Furisode style kimono with the train trailing on the floor. They wear darari-no-obi (a special obi for maiko) over the train, which is five meters long and it hangs from their waist to their ankles.

My sister,brother and his wife were in Kyoto for a wedding portrait shoot, their hotel was right in front of a post office so it was mere footsteps in getting this Kyoto gotochi :D SUGOII!!