Oprah to feature Geisha
It seems the eyes of one of the World’s leading women just landed on the geisha. Oprah is running a show about the Geisha, which I hope will debunk many myths and help provide a resurge in interest and education.
http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Inside-the-World-of-Geisha – for more.
Geisha – The very definition is out of date and wrong…
Website / Source: http://blog.oup.com/2010/02/geisha/ please go here for the full article and read. I find it interesting, that only in 2010 that we (as a whole) are starting to take a revised and more educated view on this topic.
“To paraphrase, he said that in today’s world a Eurocentric view of history is out of place. A measure of that is an exhibit they’ve worked on in which a British viewpoint is the exception rather than the rule.
I think the word geisha also illustrates this changing approach to the study of history; in this case word history.
The Oxford English Dictionary is currently in the middle of revising the dictionary for the Third Edition. Many entries available at the OED online have been brought up to date, but many others have not. Geisha is one that has not.
Consequently the entry for geisha has as its most recent example citation a quoted dated 1947.
This date is relevant since geisha is a Japanese word and 1947 is only two years after the atomic bombing of Japan and its World War II surrender.
One might not be surprised to find that a dictionary definition of this vintage omits a Japanese viewpoint. Such is indeed the case with the OED Second Edition.
The etymology of geisha there is said simply to be “Japanese” and the definition reads “A Japanese girl whose profession is to entertain men by dancing and singing; loosely, a Japanese prostitute.”
“
Manor House – September Collectables Discussion
‘Collectables’ is a discussion, and free to the public venue hosted at the Manor House. The Manor House is historical Toledo property owned and funded by the Toledo MetroParks. The September discussion will be about Japanaese Kimono, as you guessed I will be hosting this discussion.
Date: Sept 28th, 2010. A tuesday.
Time: 10am, with early arrival at 9:30am.
Extra: Free coffee, tea, and finger foods offered along with the program.
Venue: The Manor House, Toledo Metroparks.
If you would like to know more about the historical Manor House check out: http://www.metroparkstoledo.com/metro/parksandplaces/index.asp?page_id=629
Waterville Library Kimono Workshop – Wrapup
Tonight was the Waterville Library Kimono discussion. I was quiet pleased, if not floored at the caliber of the attending audiance. Here are a few quick photos from the discussion tonight. NEXT EVENT: Bashcon at the University of Toledo!
Myself. the kimono is a pale pink, with hand painted plum flowers.
The overhead/ room display.
This woman brought her own kimono to share.
Kimono were left out after the discussion, so that people could look at them first hand to admire the art and details.
SEE YOU AT BASHCON! I will be speaking there, and also a vendor!
Playing around with Obi ties
What do I do to pass the time on a late night, when I have nothing to do? Attempt new obi ties, and experiment with kimono. I must say that my model is ever so patient, and tolerant – but she is much too thin, perhaps a hamburger or two would do her good. Tonight’s lesson….
First attempt:
I have a long way to go >.>
$5.50 for tea with a Maiko
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Global-News/2010/0112/Japan-For-5.50-your-own-geisha-tea-ceremony
This former imperial capital with national treasures and cultural assets now seeks help from young women with white painted faces to reinvigorate tourism.
Maiko (apprentice geisha) and geisha in elaborate kimono perform traditional dance, sing a song, and serve sake at a place called ochaya, or a tea house, where the average customer spends around $500. First-timers are usually turned away as an introduction is needed to get in.
Kyoto, however, started a campaign last month in which tourists pay 500 yen ($5.50) for a tea ceremony with maiko and geisha and a chance to pose for pictures with them.
In June, a similar program was started at the Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts, where a couple of maiko perform traditional dance three times every Sunday free of charge.
Is this commercialization of geisha tradition?
“Absolutely not,” says Osamu Ito, an official at the Ookini Foundation (ookini means “thank you” in Kyoto dialect). The foundation was established to preserve and promote geisha tradition. “It’s only 500 yen. We just want to help promote tourism.”
Between 2003 and 2007 the number of overseas visitors who stayed overnight in Kyoto doubled to 926,805. City officials attribute the surge mainly to a national campaign of increasing Japanese tourism, which started in 2003. The 2005 film “Memoirs of a Geisha” also helped draw more foreign tourists, especially from the United States, they add.
“We hope this opportunity could help overseas visitors have a deeper interest in Japanese culture,” says Hiroaki Kakinuma, a city official in charge of tourism promotion.
Jan 25th, Kimono Workshop at the Waterville Library
2010 is the year of the Tiger. To celebrate the New Year, the Waterville Public Library has invited me to host a Kimono workshop, and traditional Japanese culture dicsussion. All month long, the Library display case will feature a collection of authentic traditional Japanese kimono, obi, and more!
Waterville Public Library – New Years celebration & Kimono Workshop
Date: January 25th, a Monday
Time: 7pm – 8pm
Admission: Free, and open to the public
Phone: 419-878-3055
Adress: 800 Michigan Ave, Waterville, OH 43566
Website: http://www.toledolibrary.org/about/location.asp?brch=Waterville
Presenter Website: you are on it 
The axe effect, Japan
A rated G video, family friendly. This is a Japanese commercial for the Axe effect featuring Maiko.
Historical Photos of Womens Self Defense featuring Kimono
I recently stumbled onto a series of historical photos. These photos feature a victorian woman, paired alongside an asian woman. They are performing a series of self defense moves. I find the style of dress particularlly interesting, how and different the furisode is worn from modern times.
The entire series of phtoos can be seen here. The kimono and obi are so drastically different from modern styles. I wonder…
http://www.geh.org/ar/strip43/htmlsrc/vanderweyde_sld00034.html
Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year
The holidays are here, so I am taking much needed time off. Over the span of the winter break, I have a magazine article to write. Otherwise, I have nothing to do other than relax. Come 2010, I will ahve a number of posts, and event updates to do. Happy Holiays
