Not as a Geisha but an Oiran

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE! Sadly, I didn't get a chance to think up a costume for this year (especially here in Japan) but IF I COULD, I would have dressed up in an Oiran fashioned kimono. What's an Oiran you ask? First let me tell you about my Oiran photoshoot.

Back in August, one of my friends randomly emailed me asking if I wanted to join her in a photoshoot at a new photo studio that opened here in the heart of Gion, Kyoto. When she gave me the website to check out what kind of photos we were going to be taking, I was surprised! I was expecting the typical Maiko-san type of photos (since we ARE in Kyoto after all) but instead I saw vibrant colored, Obi-bow-switched-to-the-front-wearing Oirans!

Before you go googling the word Oiran, expect the word "prostitute" to pop up. But here is what I found:

"Oiran (花魁) were courtesans in Japan. The oiran were considered a type of yūjo (遊女) "woman of pleasure" or prostitute. However, they are distinguished from the yūjo in that they were entertainers"


"To entertain their clients, oiran practiced the arts of dance, music, poetry, and calligraphy, and an educated wit was considered essential for sophisticated conversation."


Geishas and Oirans:
"(Geishas) Gradually, they all became specialized and the new profession, purely of entertainment, arose. It was near the turn of the eighteenth century that the first entertainers of the pleasure quarters, called geisha, appeared. The very first geishas were men, entertaining customers waiting to see the most popular and gifted Oiran."


This was only a photoshoot anyway, so don't take me being dressed like this seriously. I personally think that Oirans are wildly beautiful and artistic.


Of course there are those people who will ask "Why on Earth would you want to dress up as an Oiran? Don't you know what they are?" What's the difference with seeing a girl dress up in suggestive cosplay? Anyhow, I really enjoyed this photoshoot. It was something out of the ordinary and something that was definitely on my list of things to do before I leave Japan. Actually, the special grand opening price is what convinced me. Normally shoots like these range from 8000 yen ~ 20,000 yen! The photoshoot included 40 poses for only about 5000 yen!


So we ventured down to Gion and found the place. The entrance was very elegant looking. I felt like I went back in time because it truly felt like a Geisha House. Truly, truly a wonderful experience. There were only two women running the place and as they were doing our makeup and dressing us up in the kimono, I suddenly felt like Sayuri from Memoirs of a Geisha. 

The downstairs portion of the place. Very cozy! The bottom left pic is off one of the rooms where you can re-apply your makeup after the photoshoot.

my make up for the shoot. not the usual white-as-snow face, but of course enough to be noticeably lighter! dramatic eyelashes and to top it all off, a wig! 

Some of the backdrops that were provided! We took photos in the colorful red room.

You get to choose your own kimono!

Here's some of the pics that were taken of me. Of course not all 40 poses, but here you go:

I chose this vibrant turquoise kimono! I love how all the colors worked together. I especially loved the huge bright yellow obi and of course the huge flower on my head haha.

yes, oirans show a little leg and shoulder lol.

LOL funny thing about this part of the photoshoot, my wig actually fell off! hahaha but it's okay we just plopped it back on and then it was back to serious faces ^____^

Sorry about the quality but I actually took photos of the thumbnails paper we were able to keep with my camera.

Taken with my phone, me dressed up as an oiran ready for the photoshoot!

Hope you enjoyed!

Anyone interested in taking photos like these (Oiran type or even Maiko type) here's the link to the studio we went to:

http://www.kyoto-oiran.com/

Biwako Hanabi Taikai ✺ 琵琶湖花火大会

I've seen many different fireworks displays. From 4th of July fireworks to Disneyland fireworks and I can honestly say that nothing compares to the fireworks display during the Biwako Hanabi Taikai that was held on August 8.

I have to admit, I was a little let down with a previous fireworks display I attended the month before so I was trying not to expect too much from this one.

When it started, it was a bit slow and I thought to myself "I knew it." It even stopped for a bit and I actually thought it was over!  Then, a single stream of shimmer shot up straight into the dark black sky.  It was going so high the guy in back of me was saying out loud "Yabai! Yabai! Takai! Takai!" ("oh man! it's high! it's high!). I realized myself that it was indeed going pretty high so I whipped out my camera and was able to capture on video one of the LARGEST firework I've ever seen in my life. I had to back up, pretty much lying on my back to try and get it on camera.

There were even different shapes and characters that could be seen like, Doraemon, Hello Kitty, fish, flowers, stars, hearts, happy faces, planets, fruits and more.

It was such a great experience. If you're ever in the area during the beginning of August, this is a MUST!  It's also a good excuse to wear a cute summer yukata <3

Some tips:

GO EARLY!  We left Kyoto around 4:00pm and got there around 4:30pm. The fireworks didn't start till around 7:00pm. You need the extra time to make sure you find a seat!  

When it's over, wait a bit.  Hang out, chill.  Everyone is rushing to get home so if you started heading towards the station anyway, you'd end up standing for maybe an hour within the masses.

me once again in my yukata!
i know i'm not wearing the traditional sandals :P

Biwako!

waiting... (please don't mind how tired i look =__=)

do you recognize the shape? flowers!

during the finale!!!!

the family that sat next to us! they thought we were natives but then we told them we were students and they said it made sense because we were so thoughtful and kind unlike a lot of the young people nowadays (that's what the grandma said!! haha) They were so kind enough to also take pics of us during the finale saying it would be a nice memory for us)

Bumped into some of our other friends on the way home!
see Kyoto Tower in the background?

The video I made! A quick one minute video of the best clips I happened to take!

The first clip was the particular firework that blew me away!

Fushimi Inari ❦ Ten Thousands of Red Gates

If you ever get the chance to visit Japan, I think that visiting Fushimi Inari is a must. I'm lucky to live 10 minutes away (by train) from this beautiful shrine.  It's also free and always open so you can always find time to fit visiting this shrine anytime of day!

"Fushimi Inari is noted for its remarkable sight of some 
10,000 small torii (shrine gates) that arch 
over a long path up the hill behind the shrine. 
It takes about two hours to walk along the whole trail, 
and there are nice views of Kyoto from the top."
 (http://www.sacred-destinations.com/japan/kyoto-fushimi-inari)

You may also recognize this shrine in the 2005 film "Memoirs of a Geisha".  Since most of the movie was filmed around Kyoto, I realized that I was able to visit those same places that were featured in the movie!

(2005) 'Memoirs of a Geisha' - Sayuri running through the gates

I went with my friend from Taiwan, Bunkei. We enjoyed the Torii and the peaceful scenery Fushimi Inari offered. When my other friends heard we went they thought "are you crazy?" meaning, 'it's still summer! you must've been dying!' Luckily it was a cloudy day, still a bit humid but we were still able to enjoy. I do want to enjoy Fushimi Inari during different seasons and even possibly at night too.

Our photos that day:

At the Fushimi Inari train station. Last pic to the left was actually taken way into our hike up.

Map

First things first! Temizu (more info here)

The engravings you see on the Torii are names of companies or families who have donated to the shrine

It's a must for me to have a jumping picture!

The Inari Kitsune. Regarded as messengers.

These were so cute and amusing! Kids are so creative haha.

Lunch break! I made some Hawaii Musubis!
 Bunkei's first time trying spam and she LOVED it and now she's hooked haha! 

(top pic to the right) It's not summer in Japan without hearing the semi (cicada) "singing" day & night. Personally, they just annoy the hell out of me. Can't hear myself think sometimes hahaha.

(bottom pic to the left) I don't know what kind of spider this is, but you're able to see all sorts of spiders that have made the inbetweens of the torii their homes. I hate bugs and are terrified of them but despite the size and scariness of the spiders, they don't bother you.

Quick coordinate shot! (a poor shot on outfit detail, but oh well)

gray kimono cardigan: Charlotte Russe

black ribbon printed skirt (but used as tubetop): Forever 21

denim shorts: Charlotte Russe

black pointed flats: Payless

wig: given to me by a friend

MORE INFO ON FUSHIMI INARI:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3915.html
http://www.genkin.org/blog/index.php/2010/08/12/ten-thousands-of-red-gates-torii-are-in-fushimi-inari-shrine-kyoto-japan/

同志社大学留学 ✿ Doshisha University Farewell Party

This was on August 06, 2011 but I finally found time to blog about it.
This was held for all the study abroad students that were nearing the end of their year term. We held a goodbye party for the study abroad students (newcomers and of course the ones that were leaving), our senseis and anyone else who wanted to attend. It was at Doshisha's Kambaikan campus' cafe. A bit small to hold 90+ people but we pulled it off.

There were even performances that were held by a couple of my friends and even a performance by me!

On to pictures~

All you can eat, all you can drink!

Speeches made by our senseis and two of our friends

Me and my friend from France, Celia. We both did a performance! (vid at the bottom)

The performances that were held!

Me and Celia's performance!
Danced to Girl's Generation - Gee and
Ayaman Japan's - poipoipoi (changed the lyrics a bit though).

The video ↗↗ Keep in mind that I only got a chance to learn the dance THE NIGHT BEFORE! I was really nervous but it was fun and I'm glad everyone got into it :)

Video Contents:
✿ Steven's speech
✿ Matsumoto sensei's speech
✿ Marco's spanish guitar
✿ Jeff, Steven & Hanvit's song performance
✿ Jamie's enka performance
✿ Celia & Juvy's 'gee' dance and rilakkuma poipoipoi dance


I'm glad this party was a success. Unfortunately a lot of the friends that I've made since coming here have left already. I'm sad but also excited to see fresh new faces! I'm lucky to have made friends from different parts of the world. Till we meet again!