Geiko and maiko served bowls of thick green matcha during a special tea ceremony among the blossoming plum trees of the shrine. It was an utterly enchanting experience, before I had only ever glimpsed them scurrying down the narrow streets of Gion between evening appointments. On this day we were able to appreciate their beautiful kimono, the artistry of their make-up, from inches away and even talk to them. This hardly diminished their mystery however, I find them even more fascinating now that I felt the presence of the real women and young girls who choose to enter such an intriguing profession, surely one of the most little known in the world. The graciously smiling Maiko were wearing longer obis and more brightly patterned hair ornaments and kimono, while the senior Geiko appeared in more sombre-toned dress, with short obis and a simpler hair dress; their dignified poise was commanding enough. Seeing them made me wonder, why is their ideal of beauty to be painted so white, their lips, eyebrows, corners of their eyes drawn a startling bright red? Who are the men they entertain?
The plum blossoms, just starting to bloom, seemed soft and delicate. There is something very special about celebrating nature with a festival like this; the simple beauty of the blossoms, the new spring life they symbolise, things which can be appreciated by everyone, all ages and cultures. Now I’m waiting impatiently for the first cherry blossoms to appear!
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