JAPAN | Saturday, 12 January 2013 | Views [213] | View Smaller Image
As the sun begins its descent, the streets of Gion burst to life in a frenzy of activity as geisha emerge from their living quarters — like rabbits from their dens — to attend the first of the evening’s appointments. Visitors travel from far and wide to Gion hoping to catch a glimpse of these rare and romanticized figureheads of Japanese culture. This apprentice geisha, or maiko as they are locally known, glances about anxiously, anticipating the overly eager entourage of strangers that will soon swarm her.
