Becoming a Geisha 4 (2005)

[gangster78038]

i think kikuno is a much better sister then her real on

[Jasminfips]

@gangster78038 You're right maybe. But I can also understand Yukinas real sister... It must be hard for her to know that her little sister goes her own way, while she still has no idea what she should do. I would be jealous too if my parents would tell to me constantly how proud they are of my little sister. But I'm sure she has found her own way now:-) (sorry for my bad english)

[gangster78038]

@Jasminfips your english is perfectly fine

[Jasminfips]

@gangster78038 :-D

[gangster78038]

@Jasminfips haha were are u from?

[Jasminfips]

@gangster78038 Greetings from Germany! ;-)

[gangster78038]

@Jasminfips COOL! im german too! well im alot of things like potuguese, mexican, german, greek, russian, and brazilian. but i live in california in USA

[MissShadowHedgehog]

Life of a geisha sucks ass. It is beautiful, it is a wonderful world.. In theory. The job is relentless . HELL NINJAS GOT NOTHING ON THIS.

[SarahLee1]

Everyone is saying how much they want to become a geisha. But can't you see, that the life of a geisha is literally living a life that's not yours anymore? You give up your freedom, and for those who have been used to freedom their entire lives, that's not a concept that's easily grasped. Even if I was a Japanese girl, I would definitely not ever want to be a geisha for this reason.

[ReiOn8]

Trainees today have it easy.

So do the rest of the youngsters today.

[Alisa07l]

That song is from zero7( waiting in line)

[SelesteWho]

Yukina's drive and perseverance are truly inspiring.

[xShadowxPhoenix]

I wonder why people were a little worried watching this to see if she passed when we saw her in the opening getting painted

[coovy1239]

hey can someone answer this for me? are geisha aloud to dress in western clothing when they arent working?

[thesecretpathoflife]

@coovy1239 Yes, when they travel on leave.

[coovy1239]

the ceremony is really sweet :)

[thesecretpathoflife]

Kikuyu and her peers live in a world vastly different than the world of most of their public observers. One evolves during the training. Fastidious, almost obsessive compulsive focus and movement become normal daily patterns.

It is a living pattern very foreign the the thinking of most free spirited individuals.

[EVVIIT]

ha i dont think all these western teens realize how much effort this takes..

[thesecretpathoflife]

@EVVIIT As much as effort is the desire for significance. Modern arts offer quick reward that stimulates interest and happiness.

Old koryu structures require years of dedication with little immediate reward and focus, organization and ethics that don't foster an abundance of happiness. Instead there is a sense of connection with those that have come in the centuries before and being part of and supportive of the traditions and art.

[akissy]

I don't understand why she likes her friends. I mean, no offense, but they seem so shallow and immature even to be 15. o.o

[arivas713]

whats the name of the song and dance in the beginning? anyone know?

[Akashia14Moka]

I wonder what happened with the other shikomi in 0:06 . I wonder if they are geiko now,too, as Kikuyu.

[MsBabbi]

I'm norwegian, and I'm upsessed with Japan!!! I totally LOVE the culture, the music, art, performing arts, geiko and so on!!!! But for some reason my father is upset with my, he thinks I should act more norwegian, but I don't want to!! If I love Japan, shouldn't I be allowed to? Please help me, someone

[CrazyCookieMonster6]

@MsBabbi Ah! Relax, I love Japan too, I'm proud to be British but that dosn't mean I can't not love another country, I'm quite fond of India too ^^ Do what makes you happy, you can't go wrong then (within reason of course, no crime or anything) lol My parents think I'm a bit weird, but hey they love me, you only live this life once right? So make the most of it ^^ Be Norwegian AND love Japan, just be the best that you can be.

[angelprincess12345]

ooph this is quite a tiring life

[PrettyNerd44]

Is it possible for a 6 foot tall blonde American to be a geisha? Ugh, sometimes I wish i was Japanese....

[xShadowxPhoenix]

@PrettyNerd44 An austrailian became a geisha

[KeepVermontWeird]

Personally for me, if I chose to become a Geisha, the hardest part would be doing nothing and waiting for your "sisters" to come home. First of, you have to wait until 3:00 am until you are allowed to go to bed then you have to wake up early in the morning. But not only that, you have a lot of time to miss your family and friends. I mean, all you can do really is watch tv and think about your family and how you can barely contact them. It's sad. I couldn't stand being a Geisha, personally.

[CrazyCookieMonster6]

@KeepVermontWeird I think i'd pass the time practicing dances and stuff as well as just dancing to music for the sake of it, i'd draw and stuff like that. Sure i'd miss my life back home but id be persuing what I'd dreamed so id be focusing on the goal and its not like Yukina would never see them again, I get where you coming from but thats just what Id do to pass time.

[Norissa15]

omg,I know that song!! Zero 7-the waiting line <3 <3 it was in garden state

[thesecretpathoflife]

This is a much more involved and tougher world than most westerners ever really understand.

I was a teenage male in an ancient Koryu study as Uchi Deshi for 20 years under a Iemoto and we also had the kohai ( younger ) to senpai ( older ) connection and a very very strict training schedule. Our Koryu also included the disciplines such as Geido and Echiketto.

These ladies make a tremendous commitment in the Maiko / Geiko choice.

[Elindri]

I once met this norwegian 19 year old man, who had been to Japan and seen two geishas in real life. He was totally stunned by them, they were so beautiful, elegant and sophisticated, and belonged to this ancient world of rituals an outsider would not understand. He said that western girls should learn how to keep a little mystery about themselves as well, since it would be much more interesting that way. And, I must say I do see what he meant:)

[saphiredewdrop]

@Elindri

i like mystery as well. but i don't find many guys who care about it.  i try to be that way with my bf but he gets upset (not in a bad way upset). and when i was more mysterious guys never approach me.

[sora1415]

@saphiredewdrop Guys like something quick and easy. But if he is willing and determined to find out more about you that means he really is serious about you.

[saphiredewdrop]

@sora1415 i think wanting quick and easy is a human trait. but i am glad i don't have to worry about those things anymore. my bf seems to really like (love) me. hehe. :)

[NicoleBillieJean]

she's full geiko now!

[azureminded1]

her daughter is not independent she resides in a highpriced brothel so sad how can she as a mother be proud of such a reality for her child too bad

[SauryGirl1]

@azureminded1 And okiya is by now way a highpriced brothel! Its a house were shikomi, minarai, maiko and sometimes geiko lives. they are trainees in the art. the art off dance, conversation, playing shamisen, flute and drums. ikebana, tea cermoney, and singing.. They dont do any sexual favour, and no sexual things hwat so ever, read and know something before coming with incorrect comments.

[thesecretpathoflife]

@azureminded1 I beg to differ. You are misinformed about the condition and process of Geiko/Maiko in current time.

Though they are part of karyūkai ( flower and willow world) each has the right of choice and the Okiya is not nor should it ever be referred to as a brothel. Many go through their tenure without such physical contact.

There are those (colorful courtesans) that look similar and may even sing/dance, but they are distinct from true Geiko/Maiko which are national treasures.

[akissy]

@azureminded1 The only medicine for ignorance is reading and education yourself, I think you should be prescribed with such.

[veevee305]

Don't worry, Yukina! When I was learning to play the flute, it took me forever just to figure out how to make a sound. Some people have talent and some people don't, but when it comes to the flute, persistence is key!

[attackofdameepits]

@veevee305

I am happy to report she took up with the large drums (Darn that I can remember their names, Taiko perhaps?), and is a geiko now.

[kjnyankee]

"If you fail, it is your sister who will take the blame." Uhh, NO PRESSURE!

[eburel506]

Yukina (aka Kikuyu) looks good with her hair up like that at 5:00

[KUKAKYOTOTOKYO]

When her letter reaches her mother the subtitles tell you she signed it "Yukina" but as her mother is reading it she says it is signed "Kikuyu"... Just something I noticed.

[Ebbs1204]

I don't know why people are saying Yukina isn't very pretty - it's simply not true! I think she looks beautiful!

[eburel506]

what is the dance she is practicing at the begining? I have seen it before and the what images it is suppose to envoke. But I dont know what its called. and while I'm at it how many different dances do geisha have to learn.

[attackofdameepits]

@eburel506

Maiko learn 2 each month in Miyagawa-Cho at least. =) Can't say anymore about the beginning dance. I know it's not Gion Kouta or the Butterfly one.

[eburel506]

@attackofdameepits oh ok thanks you. It seems they have a number dances that they learn and it seems like alot. but its just so pretty.

[attackofdameepits]

@eburel506

You are welcome! It's so mouth dropping isn't it? xD

[attackofdameepits]

@eburel506

Also, Kikuyu (Yukina) is in Miyagawa-Cho

[bahbleu]

.... Please cook me hamburgers when I come back.... <3

[FeminaSeneca]

does anyone know if this documentary is available of US code DVD? I've searched everywhere!

[Momiru159260]

Heehee.. she said 'shedule' instead of 'schedule' at 9:35.



[MadDuckInc151]

@Momiru159260 That's how people from the UK pronounce it.

[crackfiendables]

@Momiru159260 what a dumb thing to make a comment about

[Celestein]

This documentary is so beautiful mainly because Yukina is a very strong, sensitive and determined young girl. When her mother read the letter, I was tearing up. She must miss her so much but be so proud. It shows.

[ligisky]

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL CULTURE!!

[kimmi5707]

I love Yukina's geiko mother, at her age she is just as beautiful and classy.

[eburel506]

@kimmi5707 I agree.

[WhirledPiece17]

I think the song they play when it goes back to her family is very fitting. Its called "In the Waiting Line" by Zero 7. I love BBC documentaries, they always do such a good job at introuducing different worlds.

[CelebrianoLorien]

Would Yukina and Kikuno be bound still if Yukina didn't pass the exam?

[jojiojp]

@CelebrianoLorien It's kind of odd to say "bound". No one is bound to anything. Shikomi can leave whenever they want same with maiko and many MANY do so when they find things too hard. It's more like if you dont pass the exam will your okaasan waste more time and money on you.

[RoseWood5566]

It was so nice how she greeted that old lady walking down the street

[Orlabobz]

Is it just me or does Yukina (sorry about the spelling) seem not very pretty? I know that seems excessively harsh, but in such a world, is that not the most important thing?

[JKlolita]

@Orlabobz she might not be pretty on todays standards, but she is a pretty geisha. Remember, geisha are traditional japanese icons..they dont need to look like the modern pretty girl with huge eyes and pretty smile to have a reputation. the fact that they are geisha alone draws the money in when they meet the important people at social events XD

[simplybecauseIam]

Wow. I realized I can really relate to Yukina. I also want to make some tough sacrifices for the career I want to pursue and my mom's a bit worried. I hope I can make her proud like Yukina though.

[lemon777ful]

this kind of life seems like you have t sacrifice so much, but it seems so intresting and beautiful. i would love to be a geisha and i know it sounds naive to say htat but i love the traditionality and respect that comes with it. it is a shame that european cultures do not have something like this as i would gladly become one, only i am english, it would be such an accomplishmetn and a amazing lifestyle. i admmire this girl very much.

[princeofwinter]

We Asians have many different colorful, and beautiful/unique cultures. And we are more than happy to share to those who want to learn them :)

[BoxOfRains]

i don't understand why geisha can't make their own breakfast.

[ShinsengumiGirl]

can anyone a imagine your parents telling you that they are giving you away?

[JapanAzn]

the oka-san is really pretty for her age( (Assuming over 50). Her geisha picture is gorgeous!

[angelcarmie2]

attackofdameepits i understand what you are saying but it has the same concepts and to me the movie and the book were great. same to you

derbydaiquiri

[dnwjdwjdals]

amazing

[mariakai]

I have watched this about a thousand times and I don't see myself ever getting tired of it. ^^

[attackofdameepits]

Me too! I have it on my Walkman. I even turned the video into an mp3 with audio only so i can just hear the voices. i find it relaxing.

[usedfanatic1988]

@attackofdameepits i hope for your sake thats a joke

[attackofdameepits]

@usedfanatic1988 100% true! =) Maybe you didn't understand, or I just typed wrong, That can happen I am a big fan of the documentary. I have seen it many, many times. Watching videos on my Walkman drains the power faster. As I said before I have seen it before many times, so I can just visualize what's going on. Great brain exercise! You should try it. I wish the entire Hanafusa house the BEST of luck! I just hope you're not being rude. The world most certainly doesn't need more of those people.

[usedfanatic1988]

@attackofdameepits i was being pretty rude

[attackofdameepits]

@usedfanatic1988

Well you don't need to be. You'll get farther if you are polite, hun.

[usedfanatic1988]

@attackofdameepits i am satisfied with how far we have come, lets put it behind us

[attackofdameepits]

@usedfanatic1988

You got it! ;)

[firefly767]

the sister geisha is so pretty !!

[BeautifulPengu]

Even though, gaisha don't normally have time or energy for a relationship with a man/spouse, if I had the opportunity of living a gaisha life, I'd do it ^_^

Not only because of it's beauty or interest I have of it, but of the bund this video was explaining. How the two girls were bunded together as sisters until one die.

I find that to be a very powerful relationship for a person :)

I would choose a sister to sister bund over a wife and husband any day ^_^

To have that kind of strength.

Pengu

[wordzscarforlife]

i dont really know what the thumbs down is about bc i was just askin a simple question :)

[wordzscarforlife]

um im not trying to be inappropriate but how do you use the bathroom in the kimono without getting a part of it wet inside the toilet? How do they have thier periods? your suppose change every three to four hours!!!!

[susyq83]

Dunno about the periods, but they almost never pee wearing their kimono. They try not to drink alot of fluids.

[tsukirose]

It's not that difficult, a squatting toilet is easier to use when you are wearing a kimono otherwise you just lift up one layer at the time and tie them.

[BooshifiedDubbing]

Perhaps they're put on the pill?

I dont know, I'm just guessing.

[Lindethiel]

The toilet thing has been explained but they do have a sort of thingo they were at that time of the month. It's like those old pads you used to get that came with a belt to keep them in place, except they forgo the western panties, as they always do in kimono, that is, if you're wearing kimono traditionally, as Maiko and Geiko must.

[NANDEMOIIYOMOU]

立派だなぁ。職がないとか、格差社会だとか言ってくさくさしてい­る自分が恥ずかしくなってくるよ。

[looker768]

I'm equally interested in the lifestyle of current Japanese students portrayed here. They seem to be going through the same anomie and struggle for a life goal as their western counterparts....

[princessofDBZ]

@looker768 I dont think u realise how hard a geisha life is... giving up love and everthing you know? let them want to be what they want to, dont judge everyone in japan though I also dont hope if they will be the same as americans

[blabillio]

I have read many many books about geisha / geiko / maiko and susyq83 is right. I'm sorry ladies but you are very ignorant. Please grow up :)

ps. haesje <3

[aintyobabydaddy984]

@blabillio what ladies? :o

[Riyen116]

@blabillio any good books you could reccomend for me?

i've read Memoirs of a Geisha a million times now. i want more, lol.

[PixieGirl1181]

@Riyen116 Memoirs of a Geisha is filled with multiple inaccuracies. Read Geisha by Liza Dalby, Kimono by Liza Dalby, Geisha A Life by Mineko Iwasaki and Autobiography of a Geisha by Sayo Masuda (hot springs geisha).

[LadyKhamoon]

@blabillio Duoin dunamai paidia en ekeinos agone: Te eryon ekeinos su dunamai ou diatereo hesychazho delou ekeinos su endeia pros ayzhanomoi ana su amathes pikros boushe. Para se su contec mios agane, shetu erkeio la-khane, sapros gune.

[yelitout]

Ahh. Garasu no Shounen!

[quietgirl2009]

What is Yukina friend eating at 6.57....it looks delicious!! :) very intriguing documentary!

[CelebrianoLorien]

She looks so beautiful in her kimono

[vampireloveswerwolf]

"Memoirs of a Geisha" actually is a fictive novell which contents a lot of errors. Geisha is not a prostitute. She is a highly educated entertainer. _During_ her education she first is a Maiko. When she has _finished_ her training, she is a Geisha.

[susyq83]

No thats not true.. Maiko are apprentice Geiko.

[DemiAmeilia]

Perhaps if you'd read my comment properly you'd see that I wasn't putting forward an opinion. I'm just writing what I read about in an interview. The Geisha herself said that Geiko are lower than Geisha. Personally I feel more incentive to believe what she said than you. Unless, of course, you are some high and mighty geisha expert, don't tell me that I'm wrong. I know that the film is wrong and that the author interpreted the info. he was given very badly.

[susyq83]

Geiko and Geisha are the same thing...

[susyq83]

Its common knowledge that maiko are geiko apprentice sorry. Also geiko is kyoto dialect for geisha and is the more commonly used word in Japan.

[susyq83]

You misunderstood her. Honestly. If you are so sure of your answer, why even ask here though? But yeah try and get some more info. I recommend "geisha, a life" by Mineko Iwasaki if you are interested in learning more about geiko and maiko.

[LadyKhamoon]

Huh, you're telling Demi that she can't read? How funny.

[susyq83]

Stop it. Look it up, it's really not difficult at all. You will find many many sources verififying what i said. But yeah believe whatever you want.

And yeah I was just trying to help since she asked a question. If anything here is funny it would be her reaction to my answer.

[susyq83]

Hahaha, but you reaction WAS funny. You asked a question and didnt like the answer you got. Try opening a book once in a while! I'm out of here now. :)

[sweetlittledoves14]

Hi!! I am reading that book right now!! It is very good!! And I love how it gives so much more detail then Memoirs Of a Geisha!

[attackofdameepits]

Memoirs of a Geisha was all turned around and gave the wrong details, as far as I know. I haven't had the chance to pick it up. I also remember reading that the girl they followed had asked to be nameless and this was not honored. So she wrote her own book

[derbydaiquiri]

@attackofdameepits Yes, Mineko Iwasaki, who the author interviewed as a part of his research for the book asked the author not to reveal her identity but he put her name in the book credits anyway against her wishes, which ruined her reputation in her home country; she even got death threats for it. Her own autobiographical book is called "Geisha of Gion" in the UK and "Geisha: A Life" in the USA. She wrote it to dispel the geisha myths which Memoirs enforced.

[pika23]

@derbydaiquiri Oh no way! Mine-chan is the 'memoirs of a geisha' person too??? I love Geisha: A Life. I own both of them, and read them every 6 months to a year. It's such a compelling story.

[pika23]

@derbydaiquiri I guess the Hatsumomo in 'Memoirs', was in real life, Mineko's biological older sister who was sort of deranged and alcoholic?

[contortionist104]

@pika23 sort of, As Mineko said the book was quite of her lifestory so yes it could be that Hatsumomo was a copy of Mineko's biological sister

[alestane]

She signed the letter to her mother "Kikuyu", not "Yukina"...

[DevilShroom]

Because from the moment she is given the name she is her original self no longer. OOOOooooOOOooo.

Haha but no seriously, as it goes, from that point Yukina is gone and Kikuyu has begun.

[alestane]

I think she is still Yukina for her friends and certainly for her mother, but she is making a point.

The subtitles erased that and write just "Yukina" at that time 2:29. Maybe they thought we would too dumb to remember who is Kikuyu...

[SarahLee1]

I think you need to have somewhat of Yukina's attitude to really succeed in becoming a maiko. She's very determined, driven and eager to learn. I think that it takes a very special kind of girl to take this job on for life.

[alixinthemiddle]

lol. her friends look like they're having a real blast at 6:46. XD

[MayuUtadaHikaru]

Yes, I totally agree! There is something about a Geiko and Maiko that... I don't know... for me seems so beautiful and graceful that they don't even seem human (in a good way lol). The work that goes into that whole career is just amazing and I give so much credit to the girls going through it! Amazing! Thanks for uploading these!

[FU2Max]

superb. ty for the vid. Miko are the most beautiful ppl in this world. Such a superb insight to their world, its spell binding. Ty.

[MCT326]

Hello,

Sorry, I would like to know the name of the okasan of the okiya 1:06

She is so beautiful...

Thank you ********

[notmyeverything]

"Til one of them dies"

what? o.O

[alestane]

Well, just as a wedding, except that there is no divorce, and not re-wedding. So, yes, until one of them dies, in that sense.

[notmyeverything]

Man,I just LOVE those sliding doors!

TT^^TT

[RivaJane]

Wow, who else found the old man's flute playing mesmerizing?!

[broKenwIngS787]

Aww...her mama made me tear up! ='(

[DevilShroom]

I love her friends Karaoke night out. Hehe

[ewoodham]

ah she was practicing the gion kouta

[sweetab24]

thanks so much for sharing these videos. i would love one day to see Geisha up front, but now i'll settle for TV & Youtube. its good to see something that's a veiled world.

[QueenOfHeartsx]

I love how Yukina turned around and said "Konichiwa!" and the old lady was like "Konichiwa..." but probably thinking *wtf?* lol

[PrincessaGianna]

Hmm probably not. Most Maiko and Geiko greet people they see out in the Hanamachi, especially elders.

[QueenOfHeartsx]

Sorry, I was just kidding.

[PrincessaGianna]

;-)

[minnesotagirl]

I like when Yukina sings gion kouta and dances in front of the mirror *^-^*

[KitsukeGuru]

i do the same exact thing lol

[minnesotagirl]

I think that every gesha lover sometimes do this xD

[MarissaAdams]

I'll back you up on that statement, minnesotagirl. Guilty as charged!

[mariakai]

thankyou for sharing this beautiful video. ^^