Maiko san, Geiko san

Maybe some of you think this way,
"oh it's a Geisha!!"
No, she isn't Geisha, but Maiko san!
It is a name fondly used among people in Kyoto.

Who is Maiko san then?
Well, some of you might know already, but it literally means " dancing girls!"
Maiko is an apprentice female entertainer at ages of between 15 and 20.
They live in lodging houses to get a full-time training to be the one with a great skill and grace.
This picture was taken by my guest last week near a lodging house..

They show up in make-ups( well actually they are just walking to their work place ) only before
and after their working time. But we were lucky enough to encounter several of them!
We were striken not only by their beauty and elegrance, but also by kimono..
It's hard to describe how impressive they were!!
I want to wear kimono like that!

Do you think it's another picture of Maiko san?
Nope, it is Geiko san! hehe, Geiko is an experienced female entertainer.
After training as Maiko for several years, they are eligible to be Geiko,
which means they will have to be self-empolyed.
The easiest difference on look between Maiko and Geiko is the hair.
She puts on wig, while Maiko makes their hair style with real hair.
It's important to be mature looking, so Geiko tend to dress more simply,
which also signifies their firm will to rely less on apperance and more on skills.

In Kyoto we have 5 kagai(where maiko and geiko are) districts.
Kamishichiken, Pondo cho, Gion toubu, Gion koubu, and Miyagawa cho.
The moment you capture Maiko-san or Geiko-san could be one of your best memories in Japan.

Garden @ Heian Jingu Shrine

Hello!
This week we entered the rainy season. The air becomes slightly humid..
I can feel summer is coming soon...
Heian Jingu Shrine（平安神宮） is one of my favorite places in Kyoto because of its beautiful garden.
It's most famous for its weeping cherry blossoms called Yaezakura(八重桜).
But summer is another good time to view a variety of seasonal flowers.
The photo above is pink flowers.
The panel with Japanese writing on it is showing the poem in the ancient time whose motif is a pink flower.
Likewise the other kinds of plants here have their panels by side.

This shrine was constructed in 1895 to commemorate the 1100th anniversary of the old capital here in Kyoto. So the poems dating back to the time have been picked up.

There are even the poems of mos, fern, and pampas grass!!

Lotus

Iris

These are "renowned" stepping stones!

Why are they famous?

Well, if you've ever seen "Lost In Translation," you must've seen this sight with Scarlet stepping on them!

When I talk about this to my guests at the garden, they go crazy and try the same thing as Scarlet did.
Very fun moment, I should say.

Overall, you can fully enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms here in spring, but summer time is also a good season. Or if you would like to enjoy viewing a variety of flowers, then, definitely you should come now!!

Toji-Surrounded By The Colourful Garden

Hello all!!
How are you?
My guiding job seems to slow down now.. this year maybe I can't expect many tourists from overseas because of the world financial crisis. But that's how it is.. I still believe more and more people are attracted by Japanese culture and WILL travel here..so meanwhile I will stroll around Kyoto and find more {off-the-beaten-track} spots I can show you.















[oh it feels so good...] say the sunbathing turtles on the rock.
This lovely garden is the one at Toji Temple which is near Kyoto Station and fairly accessible from my apartment!!!
I often come visit here for business and private.
Everytime I come here I find new things, and IT IS this garden this time.















Irises and azaleas.. Lovely color, aren't they?? Through May, they are in bloom. In Japan we have many gardens where you can enjoy these flowers. This garden is definately a nicest place to go with your loved ones.
All these flowers help the atmosphere of the garden be quite peaceful.















When I was about to head back to the entrance, a heron just landed by the pond!! Who could just leave there without taking a photo????!!!!
Yes, it made me so excited, but it's not rare that you encounter this kind of moment at parks or gardens in Kyoto. You can see another photo with a heron in my previous post.




















It's a renowned Goju-no-to(五重塔), a five storied pagoda, which is located on the ground of the temple.
Being a landmark or symbol of Kyoto city, it's been cherished by so many people. It is the highest wooden structure in Japan, about 55m.

To most of you, this temple may sound unfamiliar, but along with Goden Temple and Nijo Castle, it's been designated as UNESCO's World Heritage Site for its history of over 1200 years.
Toji Temple is so famous for its 3D Mandala, a group of Buddhist statues representing the "cosmos" of Buddhism. They are so overwhelming.
Pictures are not allowed, so I can't show you the photos of statues. But check the web site which I above gave the link to and see if they make you thrilled!!!