How to approach a cherry tree and a maiko
With a weekend to spare on a business trip in Tokyo I took the shinkansen down to Kyoto. It was mid April and colleagues told me it was probably the last weekend to enjoy the cherry blossoms. All Japanese get that almost tearfull look when they talk about cherry blossoms, they find it so romantic and even go out trea hugging when the first buds open up.
I was not the only one with the same idea. Quite possibly was I the only European person with this idea though. Me and what seemed like a third of Japan's population headed for the Maruyama park in the beautiful Gion district. I walk in through the Yasaka Shrine, which has turned into a market of sweets and food stalls.
It is only 10:30 in the morning and the kids are already setting up a picnic.... not too fussed about not finding any green space left to sit on.
So be it, me and the other 32.5m visitors move on towards the most photographed cherry tree in the world (not that I had it included in my 52 places to see before I die). Am I the only one with a camera??
After 10 minutes I feel as inspired as in a shopping mall and try to escape the crowds. I am amazed at how easy it is; Only a hundred meter up the hill, at another shrine I find myself walking alone up the stairs to the monastery. I pay 2,000 yen to the girl at the gate and walk into the silence. I only hear the gentle sound of chimes in the wind somewhere in the garden and it is truly a place for meditation. This park has so many impressive shrines and pagodas, so the smaller ones attract relatively few visitors.
Admittedly, I am really hoping not just to see the places of worship and the old, emperial architecture in Kyoto but of course also geishas. I immediatly learn that Kyoto's geishas do not wish to be named geishas, as the for the sexual association with this word, but prefer "geiko" (siters) or "maiko" which are the apprentices. In Tokyo I have only seen them in teahouses or exclusive restaurants.
I do not have to walk far to see a group of young maikos (I presume since the maikos are apparently wearing more colourful fabrics, while the geiko usually wear light, plain coloured kimonos) in front of me. All of sudden I wonder how to approach them. Clearly I wish to take pictures, but not insult them.
Later I get a better chance for close-ups. Some maikos are doing a photo shoot and I wait in the background for the moment they have just started ignoring me.
And as for the temples, they are all celebrating that little fat man's birthday today...
No, not you!
I mean Buddha of course...
I was not the only one with the same idea. Quite possibly was I the only European person with this idea though. Me and what seemed like a third of Japan's population headed for the Maruyama park in the beautiful Gion district. I walk in through the Yasaka Shrine, which has turned into a market of sweets and food stalls.
It is only 10:30 in the morning and the kids are already setting up a picnic.... not too fussed about not finding any green space left to sit on.
So be it, me and the other 32.5m visitors move on towards the most photographed cherry tree in the world (not that I had it included in my 52 places to see before I die). Am I the only one with a camera??
After 10 minutes I feel as inspired as in a shopping mall and try to escape the crowds. I am amazed at how easy it is; Only a hundred meter up the hill, at another shrine I find myself walking alone up the stairs to the monastery. I pay 2,000 yen to the girl at the gate and walk into the silence. I only hear the gentle sound of chimes in the wind somewhere in the garden and it is truly a place for meditation. This park has so many impressive shrines and pagodas, so the smaller ones attract relatively few visitors.
Admittedly, I am really hoping not just to see the places of worship and the old, emperial architecture in Kyoto but of course also geishas. I immediatly learn that Kyoto's geishas do not wish to be named geishas, as the for the sexual association with this word, but prefer "geiko" (siters) or "maiko" which are the apprentices. In Tokyo I have only seen them in teahouses or exclusive restaurants.
I do not have to walk far to see a group of young maikos (I presume since the maikos are apparently wearing more colourful fabrics, while the geiko usually wear light, plain coloured kimonos) in front of me. All of sudden I wonder how to approach them. Clearly I wish to take pictures, but not insult them.
Later I get a better chance for close-ups. Some maikos are doing a photo shoot and I wait in the background for the moment they have just started ignoring me.
And as for the temples, they are all celebrating that little fat man's birthday today...
No, not you!
I mean Buddha of course...
posted by lounginglizard at Saturday, September 09, 2006
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