Last night I went to a geisha performance presented by the Yoshiwara okiya. It was the first geisha show I’ve ever seen and it included maiko, minarai and full geisha performers. It was a very visual experience and the show focused on the American Labor Day celebration. I shot several photos of the ladies in their performance.

I’ve been thinking a lot about becoming geisha. It might seem simple enough if you don’t consider the level of commitment required. In addition, I am shall we say, not a young woman and the notion of becoming a maiko is a role I’m not sure I’d be comfortable with, especially the traditional white makeup and so forth. I enjoy being Yordie Sands and living in her skin, and I’m also a westerner with habits that would be difficult to change. Nonetheless, I am fascinated with the geisha way and am continuing my study.

Photo of Sayuri and Mameha in scene from Memoirs of a Geisha.