1.jpg)
ハンガリー語版
ハードカバー
（出版社：
DEE-SIGN／ブダペスト) |
1.jpg)
英語版
ハードカバー
(出版社：Tuttle）
|
初版・英語版
ハードカバー
（出版社：
Carlton Books UK) |
初版刊行のCarlton Books がペーパバックを刊行
|
・・・behind the crested curtains of the ancient teahouses of Japan, and,
as a result, misconceptions have arisen about the roles of the female entertainers
- popularly known as geisha - who work within them. It is with Japan's
ancient capital, Kyoto, that these women are historically associated and
where the traditional strictures of their training is still upheld today.
Here they are called Maiko during their apprentice years,
and Geiko when they reach the required level of artistic
skill.
  This book 「Geisha」 describes
every aspect of the often harsh lives of these remarkable women: their elaborate
dress, hair and make up, the ceremonies and rituals in which they are involved;
their accomplishment in traditional artistic skills and their relationships with
men and the outside world.
 The Maiko and Geiko of Kyoto inhabit a unique
and curious role in Japanese culture. A century ago they were a frequent sight
in the city, as were similar female entertainers in other cities, but today
their existence is fragile and few women remain in these demanding professions.
It takes many years for the women to hone and refine their artistic and
conversational skills so that they can expertly entertain men in the traditional
manner and participate at Japan's colourful seasonal festivals. Only in Kyoto
does this level of expertise and training still exist in the community, ensuring
that the Maiko and Geiko who still live and work here are truly guardians
of Japan's cultural past.
A geiko is working on her
computer.
A maiko dances at an ozashiki on the day of her
omisedashi (debut). 
Ordinarily a Maiko will apply her make up
herself, but on this day a make-up artists is employed. Three lines, rather than
the usual two, are left umpainted on the back of her
neck.
 A maiko and her onesan (elder sister)
came out of the ochaya on the day of the Maiko's omisedashi.
The new maiko
puts on new okobo (clogs). They are going to visit the ochayas and restaurants
where banquets are held to exchange greetings. Her onesan introduces the maiko
as her "younger sister" and wishes Good Luck.
A maiko's okobo (clogs). 10 centimetres high and made
of paulownia wood. The colour of the okobo's thong varies according to her
career: red for the initial period, changing to pink and later purple,
etc.
Accompanied by Kyoko Aihara's original photographs,
her informative and honest text provides a fascinating and detailed portrait of
a distinctive and intriguing aspect of Japanese society.
Kyoko Aihara was born in Yokohama in Japan.
She graduated in History of Art from Keio University in Tokyo before traveling
to Cologne, where she studied German. Since 1994 she has been working as
a freelance journalist and a photographer in Japan and has had many books
and articles (accompanied by her own photography) published in Japanese
newspapers and magazines on subjects tanging from travel, food, drink to
art. Kyoko's contacts among the Maiko and Geikoin Kyoto and her unprecedented
access to the city's teahouses make her uniquely placed to write this
outstanding book.
 [High Life]
(Inflight Magazine British Airways, May
2000)
"Turning Japanese"
It is a
secret world that holds a fascination for many.With its strange rituals, bizarre
clothes and enigmatic women, the geisha world has a cultish appeal that is often
misunderstood.
Kyoko Aihara, in her book Geisha, attempts to set the record
straight.
It details the realities of geisha life in Kyoto: from
the differences between maiko (women during their apprentice years) and geiko
(when they reach the required level of artistic skill), the price of the wigs
that geisha wear to the meanings behind their many rituals, no stone is left
unturned. But, following on from the success of Arthur Golden's Memoirs of a
Geisha, is there room on our bookshelves for another book on the
subject?
"There is a huge difference between the two books",
insists Aihara via e-mail. "Memoirs of a Geisha" is fictional and is based in
the first half of this century. My book, on the other hand, looks at the facts
of present day life in the hanamachis (licensed ares where geisha live and
entertain)".
So, how did she obtain access to the closed society?
"I
got to know a former geiko in Kyoto and she introduced me to a tea house and its
geikos and maikos. The hanamachi is a secret world where one cannot do anything
without introduction and connection. But the women spoke to me quite frankly. I
was shown not only banquet rooms but also their private quarters such as
dressing/make up rooms, kitchens and offices of Okiyas (lodging house)and
Ochayas (teahouses). They also showed me different kinds of kimonos and musical
instruments giving detailed explanations one by one."
What was the impetus gehind the book?
"The community
in Kyoto is something remote for the average Japanese. But they are women who
are contemporary with us, living in the modern age, while keeping old
traditions. I thought that many people both inside and outside Japan should get
the opportunity to become acquainted with their unique existence. I also wanted
to dispel the preconception that the role of a geisha is a sexal one. The word
"geisha" means a person of art, while "geiko" means a woman of art. Geisha are
judged by their artistic accomplishments. I think, because of their complex
functions it is difficult for Western people to understand them. There is no
equivalent to them in Western society.
* [Geisha] - A living tradition by Kyoko Aihara was
published by Carlton Books.
* For Asia and Japan [The worls of the Geisha]
by Kyoko Aihara was published by Tuttle.
管理者：Kyo&Kao
Production
|
