Geisha- The Japanese Rock Star

After traveling and working in Japan many times in four years, I finally was able to arrange a meeting with a geisha in the Gion district in Kyoto over the weekend. It is actually one of the most difficult photo opportunities that I have tried to setup. Japan’s history and culture are sacred and it takes an introduction to arrange a private meeting for a photo opportunity. I was a strange case for them as a female client not looking for entertainment.

I attended a traditional tea ceremony first and then had 30 minutes to get an individual portrait session and discussion. I learned that she was a maiko, which is a young geisha apprentice in training for music and dance.

The experience was magical and well worth the wait. I always compare geishas to magical creatures like unicorns.

After my portrait session I went and had lunch at a traditional restaurant and then decided to walk around the area. I realized it was almost 6 pm which is the normal time for most geishas to go to work. I looked down the street and saw paparrazi-like crowds of photographers running after geishas walking down the streets on the way to work. Of course, I joined in and met people from France, Brazil, UK, and many other parts of the world. It was so fun. I got a few candid photos and captured the crowds outside the house where the geishas live. Overall it was an amazing day that I won’t forget as I start to finish up my time in Asia.