The song "Gion Kouta" is danced by the maiko of all the communities. And yes, the second half of this performance is a separate piece added on by the Pontocho geisha.
You will find they are both Maiko one jounior & one senior you can tell by the katsura worn not to mention the kanzashi styles. It is a truely inspiring dance & never fails to move me.
actually, I'm not sure if they still do it, but there is a charging system called ohana (flower). the mama-san of a tea house lighting an hour-long incense stick from the time the geiko arrives and keeps lighting them consecutively until said geiko leaves the party. of course, some geisha charge more for their company.
it's amazing how cultures are so different brazil and africa have movements that involve rapid hip movements, then theres belly dancing, and this is sooo different but so pretty
The ones dancing are maiko, the one in purple with red obi (Hisano), was a senior maiko at the time, but had her erikae more than one year ago (i.e. became a geiko), the red in the collar lessens as the 5 years of "maiko-hood" pass, until it's almost white when she's close to having her erikae ceremony (except for a patch of red in the back of the han-eri). In other words, these are a junior maiko(the one in light purple) and a senior maiko (one in darker purple), the one playing is a geiko.
This was wonderfully beautiful. The maiko on the left was especially graceful, so it was a little disappointing to see the camera focus on the one in purple so often. Still, thank you for making this slice of Japanese tradition available for all to see!
The meaning of tying the obi with the knot in front or back is often misunderstood. Courtesans (who sold their bodies) did tie the obi in front. Geisha (who were not supposed to sell their bodies) tied it in back. But the reason was NOT so that the obi could be untied more quickly. In the 17th century, a MARRIED WOMAN tied her obi in the front, an unmarried woman tied it in back. (cont.)
Courtesans were technically "wives for the evening", thus the front-tied obi indicated their status as sexually experienced women. Geisha (not technically sexually available) were categorized socially a unmarried women, thus tying the obi in back.
I suppose that it takes an appreciation for other cultures to not be bothered by it. I think it is lovely. The kimono are absolutly beautiful!! I especially like the lavender one.
Just Beautiful !!! An example of femenine delicacy, talent and beauty... geishas make me feel proud of being a woman... in America men should attend such events instead of the stripper clubs which denigrate women and women should respect themselves more.... japan a great culture
Wow! Hisano when she was a maiko!she looked so nice!I have pics with her as geiko. In his dance she was very close to erikae,in one picture she is with Tomoyuki too,but she is a geiko and Tomoyuki is still junior maiko. Very nice video! Ookini san dosu!
I really enjoyed this woman's singing and playing, as well as the dancers performance. I found this video very relaxing and enjoyable. Thank you for posting :)
out of all i've seen, i really like this one. And no, i'm not saying the other one sucks. But this one reminds me alot of Japan and its more Japanese to me. I love it! Its beautiful!!!!
the long sleeves on a maiko's dress are meant to be reminiscent of childhood and make the maiko look childlike. The swinging sleeves are meant to endear the maiko to the clients. :)
@WeirdoThingo Exactly, especially since that type of thing was banned for them in 1958. Years and years ago it was banned, and people continue to mark them for their past.
Beautiful! I've been fortunate to catch the public dance performances of Kamogawa Odori, Miyako Odori, Gion Odori, and Kyo Odori and a few appearances at festivals in Kyoto like the one they do at Yasaka Shrine for Setsubun v=5HonDg7UDhY and the Plum Blossom festival at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine v=O_WZzjhFlVM
In Pontocho the song Gion Kouta is mixed up with Kamogawa Kouta, the song of Pontocho. "Gion Kouta" song has Gion in the title, but it isn't rappresentative about Pontocho, too. So they created their own song, but sometimes guests asked to dance Gion Kouta and not Kamogawa Kouta. So they mixed up the song
This reminds me a lot of the court dance of Indonesia, especially Java. Very slow and reserved, but very elegant. And the music is also like traditional Indonesian music from West Java region, very haunting tunes.
Absolutly beautiful. If I wasn't a guy, being geisha would be awsome. Is the song a common one performed for geisha dances? It sounds like the song in other vids I have seen.
The makeup they use for the white face is more like paint, or a pure white foundation. It goes on really well over even very dark skin too...so I'm sure you'd be lovely all done up, tan or otherwise. :)
Mz Dalby I loved your books, Thankyou so very much for this beautiful vid. Her kimono is my favourite colour too. So beautiful. Are they very hot to wear?
Oh my... I think people should stop talking about something if they don t know what they are saying: maiko & geiko are 2 kansai words (region of Kyoto & Osaka). The 1rst represents an apprentice geisha, the 2nd a professional who passed the exam. Geiko means geisha, the only difference is that geiko is specific to Kyoto s geisha. (you can even find other words like for example "Hangyoku" which is the equivalent of the word "maiko" in the city of Tokyo)
You may think as much but that is most likely because you don't know any specifics of this profession or dance. They are telling a story and every slight motion of head, hand or even a finger has symbolism. In addition they wear a kimono that restricts breathing and movement and weighs half of their body weight. You couldn't even manage to perform "pop lock and drop it" when wearing what it is that they do. Nice try though.
Geiko and maiko are two regional terms for the same thing = apprentice geisha. If I recall, one is more prevalent with geisha trained in tokyo vs kyoto.
I am well aware that geisha are not prostitutes. What statement did I make that led you to believe that I thought they perform sexual acts for a living? I also know that they undergo difficult training and must have great deals of determination, it is not an overnight miracle to become a geisha. I respect these women and nothing you say can contradict that
@crisoluatuamra This dance is called Gion Kouta, geiko and Maiko make different movement, this song called about 4 season, is very difficult, have you ever tryed?
The explanation by shizukagozen777 about Maiko and Geiko is not correct. Maiko is the beginning entertainer who passed the 1st stage of exam relating to the japanese traditional arts (like as dancing, playing various kind of musical instrument etc) and continuing the apprenticeship to brush up her artistic skills, while Geiko is the more qualified mature entertainer in every kind of artistic skills including tee serving ceremony, etiquette, hospitality, manners of conversation with clients.
I hear that it is rather expensive, exact price - I guess it varies depending on how much the geisha/maiko charges. That would be interesting to look up, because I was curious, too. :)
The one with the red obi is the geiko, but in very formal attire, hence why the scarf in her bun is white and not red. It's really rare to see a geiko that gussied up...I wonder what the occasion was?
ive noticed that there is a small difference in the pontocho darari obi than the gion,miyagawacho,kamishichiken (etc) both sides of the darari obi arent crossing over that much but the other obis are crossed over each dide its kinda weird bt otherwise beautiful dance
Historically "Hangyoku" was an apprentice Geisha belonging to a certain Geisha, whille the Maiko enters into the apprenticeship by contract with a certain Yakata /Okiya - a boarding house, and so, it has no relationship with Maiko. Nowadays there is almost no "Hangyoku" in Tokyo, because there has been disappeared the principal system of Geisha World and no Geisha can adopt a Hangyoku to educate it for her own sister-Geisha, although there is making effort to reconstruct it.
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The song "Gion Kouta" is danced by the maiko of all the communities. And yes, the second half of this performance is a separate piece added on by the Pontocho geisha.
They look like dolls they are beautiful i love the art of geisha.
You will find they are both Maiko one jounior & one senior you can tell by the katsura worn not to mention the kanzashi styles. It is a truely inspiring dance & never fails to move me.
Being aware of all the life long discipline this art requires, I would still love to be a geisha.
actually, I'm not sure if they still do it, but there is a charging system called ohana (flower). the mama-san of a tea house lighting an hour-long incense stick from the time the geiko arrives and keeps lighting them consecutively until said geiko leaves the party. of course, some geisha charge more for their company.
it's amazing how cultures are so different brazil and africa have movements that involve rapid hip movements, then theres belly dancing, and this is sooo different but so pretty
It's soooo beautiful!!Woman who plays shamishen has gorgeus voice..and geishas are beautiful!!I LOVE japanese culture!!!
The ones dancing are maiko, the one in purple with red obi (Hisano), was a senior maiko at the time, but had her erikae more than one year ago (i.e. became a geiko), the red in the collar lessens as the 5 years of "maiko-hood" pass, until it's almost white when she's close to having her erikae ceremony (except for a patch of red in the back of the han-eri). In other words, these are a junior maiko(the one in light purple) and a senior maiko (one in darker purple), the one playing is a geiko.
These are both maikos, they both have the long obi, red collars, and the split peach hairstyle.. beautiful dance :)
This was wonderfully beautiful. The maiko on the left was especially graceful, so it was a little disappointing to see the camera focus on the one in purple so often. Still, thank you for making this slice of Japanese tradition available for all to see!
So beautiful...Thank you so much for sharing it with the rest of us. For some, it is the only way to see a "live" proformance.
you know geisha dances and music are so elegant i love it and how they dance its just so beautiful!!!
The singer has a beautiful voice. I really enjoyed this.
The kimono is so beautiful.. especially the purple one
I have to agree with you. The woman has an angelic voice!
Stunning...absolutely stunning, Geisha are so beautiful true artists and I love them
The meaning of tying the obi with the knot in front or back is often misunderstood. Courtesans (who sold their bodies) did tie the obi in front. Geisha (who were not supposed to sell their bodies) tied it in back. But the reason was NOT so that the obi could be untied more quickly. In the 17th century, a MARRIED WOMAN tied her obi in the front, an unmarried woman tied it in back. (cont.)
Courtesans were technically "wives for the evening", thus the front-tied obi indicated their status as sexually experienced women. Geisha (not technically sexually available) were categorized socially a unmarried women, thus tying the obi in back.
I suppose that it takes an appreciation for other cultures to not be bothered by it. I think it is lovely. The kimono are absolutly beautiful!! I especially like the lavender one.
Oh woooow~ This is beautiful beyond words.
Thank you for sharing! It's interesting to see this variation on the Gion Kouta.
Just Beautiful !!! An example of femenine delicacy, talent and beauty... geishas make me feel proud of being a woman... in America men should attend such events instead of the stripper clubs which denigrate women and women should respect themselves more.... japan a great culture
Wow! Hisano when she was a maiko!she looked so nice!I have pics with her as geiko.
In his dance she was very close to erikae,in one picture she is with Tomoyuki too,but she is a geiko and Tomoyuki is still junior maiko.
Very nice video!
Ookini san dosu!
Enthralling really when u think of the timeline of these dances and culture it represents overall.
Whenever I feel low, anything geisha uplifts me. Thank you. Uprated. Favorited.
I really enjoyed this woman's singing and playing, as well as the dancers performance. I found this video very relaxing and enjoyable. Thank you for posting :)
out of all i've seen, i really like this one.
And no, i'm not saying the other one sucks.
But this one reminds me alot of Japan
and its more Japanese to me.
I love it! Its beautiful!!!!
Très beau ...merci..!!
@Ladyblindlove They both are maiko, as the comment says.
The geiko is the shamisen player.
I love Japan and japanese dance and every thing related to Japan!!!
hermosa ma musica del shamisen y el baile de las maiko
the long sleeves on a maiko's dress are meant to be reminiscent of childhood and make the maiko look childlike. The swinging sleeves are meant to endear the maiko to the clients. :)
I saw Mamechiho dancing Gion Kouta- I love version from Gion.
I saw Miehina dancing Gion Kouta too - she was very graceful,but look so different.
I feel relaxed watching these beautiful japanese geisha dancing.
Domo Arigato!!
@WeirdoThingo Exactly, especially since that type of thing was banned for them in 1958. Years and years ago it was banned, and people continue to mark them for their past.
exquisite! My heart is too full. This is beyond beautiful. Merci mille fois
Beautiful! I've been fortunate to catch the public dance performances of Kamogawa Odori, Miyako Odori, Gion Odori, and Kyo Odori and a few appearances at festivals in Kyoto like the one they do at Yasaka Shrine for Setsubun
v=5HonDg7UDhY
and the Plum Blossom festival at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
v=O_WZzjhFlVM
Bellissime, io le ho viste dal vivo a Gion (kyoto) e sono davvero bellissime, sembrano delle bambole di pocellana.
So beautiful and serene!
Thank You so much for putting this video up! It's so beautiful and nice to see them perform. :D
This was filmed last Saturday (9-22-07) in Kyoto. The maiko on the right is Hisano.
Beautiful
I have a feeling people that watch this have no idea the difficulty of this dance, this is truly amazing to watch.
beautiful very beautiful
The woman's voice was so relaxing! It almost made me fall asleep!
they are so pretty, the song is kinda sad in my opinion, the tune is really entrancing, the elderly geiko singing it has a nice voice
I wish I could go to watch live geisha performance for one day ~~
Beautiful!
In Pontocho the song Gion Kouta is mixed up with Kamogawa Kouta, the song of Pontocho. "Gion Kouta" song has Gion in the title, but it isn't rappresentative about Pontocho, too. So they created their own song, but sometimes guests asked to dance Gion Kouta and not Kamogawa Kouta. So they mixed up the song
What an amazing dance! It was very beautiful.
this is so beautiful. it almost put me in a trance lol
Every dance tells of story, not always a tale, but there s always a story
This reminds me a lot of the court dance of Indonesia, especially Java. Very slow and reserved, but very elegant. And the music is also like traditional Indonesian music from West Java region, very haunting tunes.
Thank you for posting this lovely video!
Truly beautiful and very graceful.
Her voice is so beautiful...
what I'd give to wear a kimono like that once!
i love hisano she has the most striking features (^-^)
Very beautiful and mysterious, would love a trip to japan to see this.
I've heard that some dances tell a story. Does any one know if this graceful dance tells a tale? Just curious. So lovely. ^^
@28880 Nice from you to admit it! I admire that! ;)
love it :) i always enjoy watching these dances
Can someone fill me in on this style of dance. I'd love to learn more.
Absolutly beautiful. If I wasn't a guy, being geisha would be awsome.
Is the song a common one performed for geisha dances? It sounds like the song in other vids I have seen.
pretty!
The makeup they use for the white face is more like paint, or a pure white foundation. It goes on really well over even very dark skin too...so I'm sure you'd be lovely all done up, tan or otherwise.
:)
i love her voice
so am i
That looks kinda hard...but it´s very beautiful!
They really are beautiful,so is their culture. A lot to understand and see.
I love Japan !
This is quite poetic. The shamisen player is also very talented. What was the song called, Liza-sama?
@dalbyliza thanks. i learn something new everyday when i'm on youtube! haha. :)
The dancers are maiko. The musicians are geiko.
Mz Dalby I loved your books, Thankyou so very much for this beautiful vid. Her kimono is my favourite colour too. So beautiful.
Are they very hot to wear?
I love the lavender kimono
Good guess! Yes.
A maiko is an apprentice geisha... a geisha is a full geisha.
Qué belleza!! Me encanta
OMG - i love her voice !!!! ( Kazumi )
Oh my... I think people should stop talking about something if they don t know what they are saying: maiko & geiko are 2 kansai words (region of Kyoto & Osaka). The 1rst represents an apprentice geisha, the 2nd a professional who passed the exam. Geiko means geisha, the only difference is that geiko is specific to Kyoto s geisha. (you can even find other words like for example "Hangyoku" which is the equivalent of the word "maiko" in the city of Tokyo)
舞妓さんの舞いは素晴らしいですね。
良い物を見せて頂きありがとうございました。🎉🎉
@WeirdoThingo I agree completely. People tend to confuse Geishas ( artists) with Oiran (courtesones). Such a shame they don't know the difference.
Arte bastante EXOTICO de la cultura Japonesa
Liza dalby? aren't you the very first western geisha?
You may think as much but that is most likely because you don't know any specifics of this profession or dance. They are telling a story and every slight motion of head, hand or even a finger has symbolism. In addition they wear a kimono that restricts breathing and movement and weighs half of their body weight. You couldn't even manage to perform "pop lock and drop it" when wearing what it is that they do. Nice try though.
Geiko and maiko are two regional terms for the same thing = apprentice geisha. If I recall, one is more prevalent with geisha trained in tokyo vs kyoto.
the one in the purple is GORGEOUS.
I am well aware that geisha are not prostitutes. What statement did I make that led you to believe that I thought they perform sexual acts for a living?
I also know that they undergo difficult training and must have great deals of determination, it is not an overnight miracle to become a geisha. I respect these women and nothing you say can contradict that
very beautiful. 10
do you know i cant actuly tell xD
@crisoluatuamra This dance is called Gion Kouta, geiko and Maiko make different movement, this song called about 4 season, is very difficult, have you ever tryed?
The explanation by shizukagozen777 about Maiko and Geiko is not correct. Maiko is the beginning entertainer who passed the 1st stage of exam relating to the japanese traditional arts (like as dancing, playing various kind of musical instrument etc) and continuing the apprenticeship to brush up her artistic skills, while Geiko is the more qualified mature entertainer in every kind of artistic skills including tee serving ceremony, etiquette, hospitality, manners of conversation with clients.
if someone knows a website with favorite geishas of gion, i'd be thankful for a link!
I hear that it is rather expensive, exact price - I guess it varies depending on how much the geisha/maiko charges. That would be interesting to look up, because I was curious, too. :)
jejeje , muy bueno
saludos a sonia!
The one with the red obi is the geiko, but in very formal attire, hence why the scarf in her bun is white and not red. It's really rare to see a geiko that gussied up...I wonder what the occasion was?
ive noticed that there is a small difference in the pontocho darari obi than the gion,miyagawacho,kamishichiken (etc) both sides of the darari obi arent crossing over that much but the other obis are crossed over each dide its kinda weird bt otherwise beautiful dance
Does anyone know the lyrics or the name of the music played? Thank you :)
Historically "Hangyoku" was an apprentice Geisha belonging to a certain Geisha, whille the Maiko enters into the apprenticeship by contract with a certain Yakata /Okiya - a boarding house, and so, it has no relationship with Maiko. Nowadays there is almost no "Hangyoku" in Tokyo, because there has been disappeared the principal system of Geisha World and no Geisha can adopt a Hangyoku to educate it for her own sister-Geisha, although there is making effort to reconstruct it.