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From Gaijin to Geisha in Gion, Kyoto

After reading Arthur Golden's Memoirs of a Geisha, I was inspired to travel to Gion, Kyoto and explore the book's setting. Never did I imagine that I would have an opportunity to dress like a geisha myself!


 Three ladies attended to our make-up artists and acted as our kimono dressers. First, they applied the famous white face and neck make-up followed by layers of white powder. They were extremely meticulous, and red eyeliner and bright red lipstick completed the look. I hardly recognized myself when I opened my eyes! Of course, this isn't me, but my friend Miki from Wakayama.


Once the makeup was complete, our dressers prepared the kimonos. Both Miki and I chose fancy evening kimonos, and I won't even attempt to guess how much they were worth! First, they applied tiny pads to our chest so we looked completely cylindrical, followed by a thin underlayer of satin pants and shirt. The kimono is actually easy to put on as it is shaped like a giant housecoat, but the obi (or bow) was by far more complicated. I swear my dressers were trying to make my look ten pounds skinnier as they heaved and pulled on the obi. They added towels under the bow and a large piece of stiff plastic to make everything look flat. The wig completed the outfit, and by the time they finished, I could barely move, let alone sit seiza for the pictures.


Click here to see the final results

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