Celeste van Rooyen Photography

I was wondering nervously excited in the Geisha area, Gion, behind the theatre and there she was… like a rare bird). Emerging from one of the typical wooden sliding doors (doors that add some more tranquil effect to a city where in some areas, Japan stood still in time).
The Maiko (young apprentice geisha due to the softer what facial make-up) tried to avoid my lens, wobbled straight pass me on her uncomfortable clogs and down the old cobbled stone streets, bending low, graciously and showing her respects to an elder lady. I watched, gob smacked, as she disappeared in the far.
It was so unexpected that most of my images was out of focus. What a sobering experience as I were so longing to meet a true Geisha that the anticlimax of it all left me feeling nothing, and wanting more….

So my next destination, in the hope of absorbing more of this untouchable but fading persona’s was the Maiko Style Experience Maica.
Here I was about to be dressed like a Geisha and spent the day learning small rituals.
No camera’s allowed and I had to rely on what I see and feel.
I remember that there were many floors in this little house with narrow thin stairs. Removing the white layers of white make-up was worse than putting it on. My upper lip was thinly applied with red whilst my lower lip coloured in full: this meant beauty and youth as the older geisha’s has a fuller upper lip.
This unwhitened shape at the back of my neck and the low neckline of the clothing really do accentuate this traditionally erotic area. This was my favourite part of the make-up.
The kimono section was material heaven! Three woman struggled to wrap the layering of material and harness to flatten my torso, as apparently no curves should be seen. A heavy wig was fitted and basket like object was placed on my back. I could barely breath.
Newfound respect here for these women that makes it look so gracious – the whole culture tought me to consider each other more and I will never forget this.