Maiko Dance: Mameyuri and Katsuyuki

[eburel506]

ok I want Katsuyuki's kimono (drooooool).

[eburel506]

Ok one thing I have never understood. I think geisha dancing is just plan beautiful. But why do they always seem to have such blank expressions on their face when they dance. I saw a maiko doing this same dance and she almost looked bored at one part.

[DameDiabolique]

@eburel506 In Nihon Buyo, Japanese Traditional Dance, there is no facial expression. Expression is through little things like the way your eyes move, your hands, and your body. They may look bored but to someone who has been watching them for a long time, it is actually graceful.

[eburel506]

@DameDiabolique oh ok thank you I always wonder about that. So its evoking emotion through movement not facal expression ok I get it now.

[XamiNaxamis]

@eburel506 Its meant to look like a mask, with only the eyes moving through the "eye holes".

[eburel506]

@XamiNaxamis ok that makes sense I have heard of their white makeup refered to as a mask. Thank you for answering all of my questions (bows).

[XamiNaxamis]

@eburel506 your welcome :D. You have to wonder, though, why they didn't just buy masks :P

[DameDiabolique]

@XamiNaxamis You really need to learn more about the traditional culture of Japan. The Geisha have NEVER worn mask. Everything is done in a certain way for a reason. Geishas have to paint their faces and wear their makeup a certain way because back in the 16th century when the profession started, there was no electricity, only candle light and it was better for the customers to see them this way. Also this is also the traditional makeup for Geisha and Kabuki/Noh Theater.

[eburel506]

@XamiNaxamis well.....I have also heard geishas discribed as living flowers and parties.......it would be hard and weird for them to socialize if they wore masks.

[daydreambeleaver]

is Mameyuri a distant sister so to say of Mameha?

[DameDiabolique]

@daydreambeleaver

Mameha of Gion Kobu? She retired a couple years ago I believe. I haven't come to any info on whether they were "actual sisters" but Mameha has was a Geiko who mastered the Inoue style of Kyoumai dance they study in Gion Kobu and a high ranking Geiko in the district. Since Mameyuri was in that family, that would make Mameha her an"Oneesan" which is a sister that is more senior.

Check out Tsuruko Maiko Forum for more info

[eburel506]

@DameDiabolique Are there different styles in different geisha district? How are they different.

[DameDiabolique]

@eburel506 Each district is taught a different style of Kyomai, a version of Nihon Buyo that stemmed from Kabuki when they banned women from performing in Kabuki theatre. The school that these maiko study is the Inoue school, led by Yachiyo Inoue IV. Gion Kobu is considered the elite amongst the geisha in all of japan because of their style of dance and level of prestige. Yachiyo Inoue III was the only woman to be considered a national living treasure before she died in 2004.

[DameDiabolique]

@DameDiabolique Anyone with more knowledge feel free to comment. I would recommend anyone visit Immortal Geisha Forums to learn alot about the culture and be inspired to one day go and visit for yourself. The link is in the description.

[Bruuba]

This is my favourite dance and these two maikos dance so beautifully~

[heartzempire]

They are both so very pretty. :)

I want to become a geisha someday....I've been wanting to since I was 9.I though it was impossible,until Fiona Graham became a geisha in Asakusa...It gave me hope,but I don't think I will be able to do it.

I will be content though,if I have the chance to meet a maiko or geisha/geiko someday. ^^;

[Gellis2009]

it is a bit scary

[iaia980]

hi i'm an italian woman and i'm very fascinated by these woman. however, I can't understand many things. I don't understand how can you decide to sacrifice every part of yourself to be a living flower and perform for mans. but I am a western woman, and we had in the centuries a very different story.

[Shem47m]

@iaia980 Maybe those women happen to love traditional Japanese dance and music and have thus chosen to become meiko because of that love. What they do for dance does not necessarily appear to be greatly different from what a ballet dancer would do. Secondly, don't be mistaken about how many freedoms we Western women actually have. I see the old adage that MEN ACT while WOMEN APPEAR being reproduced everyday. Our cage is bigger but it is still a cage.

[Ryokushindo]

My wife's best friend is Katsuyuki's cousin. Last march in Kyoto, we spent a wonderful evening with her in a Ryokan in Kyoto, and we were had private three private dance. Katsuyuki-san is a great person, very kind and warm.

[thecharlotteness]

Katsuyuki is so kawaii!!!

[minnesotagirl]

I think this dance is going to be my favourite :)

[pinksalamanders]

Mameyuri is so lovely. As a first-year she looked positively silly with dangling kanzashi and such a grown up, womanly face.

[osbourn15]

They look like two little butterflies. ^_^

[DameDiabolique]

Yeah, actually, according to another video, this is actually called "The Butterfly Dance." A dance about a butterfly trying to find a flower to land on.