There is a saying that if you find a Japanese maple leaf with eight tips you will find everlasting love...
Surrounded by lush nature, Japan experiences four distinct seasons. As the landscape changes to vivid shades of orange, yellow, and red, autumn is regarded as one of the most beautiful seasons.
Autumn leaves in Japan are a popular sight for residents and tourists, and are often associated with geisha.
Fall leaf hunting or Momijigari (紅葉狩り) is a popular activity in Japan during autumn. Since ancient times, the Japanese have had an interest in viewing the red momiji and they believe that viewing red leaves is like a hunter chasing a colorful beast.
For centuries, poets and artists have drawn inspiration from Momijigari.
It is also a significant time in the Buddhist faith, both spiritually and symbolically, as it inspires intentions and wishes and serves as a reminder that life is fleeting.
With blessings from the ancestral Goddess, we are very lucky to still have the most vibrant red and orange maple leaves in Kyoto even during the Christmas period.
Inspiration for the photo comes from the popular manga series Koisome Momiji.
I have been photographing Geishas for about 10 years now.
The photo features two maikos against a backdrop of autumn leaves.
Maikos are apprentice geishas in Kyoto. Their jobs consist of performing songs, dances, and playing the shamisen or other traditional Japanese instruments for visitors during banquets and parties, known as ozashiki.
Maikos are usually aged 17 to 20, and graduate to geisha status after a period of training that includes traditional dance, the shamisen, kouta (lit. 'short songs'), and, in Kyoto only, learning the Kyoto dialect. The apprenticeship generally takes 5 years.
With their youth and attractive hairstyles decorated with seasonal and occasional kanzashi (traditional hair ornaments), maikos are always popular with guests, tourists and photographers.
December kanzashi usually feature two maneki, name plates used by kabuki actors, which are initially blank. Traditionally, maiko visit the Minamiza Theatre and ask two of their favourite kabuki actors to autograph them with their kabuki nom de plume. Kanzashi for senior maiko feature green bamboo leaves while junior maiko have a colourful assortment of lucky charms.
For senior maiko TomiEri, her maneki and mochibana (rice cake flowers) are flanked by pine and bamboo leaves on a green trellis. The gold and green are simple and speak of her high level of maturity.
For newbie Maiko TokiKoma,is full of mochibana and an abundance of playful motifs meant to bring good luck. The motifs on TomiKoma's kanzashi are as follows:
Fuku Warai (福笑い) - A Japanese variation of "Pin the Tail on the Donkey," but instead of using a donkey's back, it uses faces.
Hagoita (羽子板) - Battledores, a game akin to badminton, are traditionally played at New Year's. Plum blossoms are always present.
Hamaya (破魔矢) -Demon-dispelling arrows that ward off bad luck.
Koban (小判) - An antique gold coin that brings prosperity, yes similar to the one held by the wealth beckoning cat.
Maneki Neko (招き猫) - is a common Japanese figurine which is often believed to bring wealth good luck to the owner.
Osu Ushi No Me (雄牛の目) - A bull's eye as a reminder for one to aim for their goals
Saikoro (骰子) - Dice are considered lucky charms in Japan because however they roll, they will always “show a number,” a phrase that in Japanese also sounds like “to be lucky.”
Tai (鯛) - Tai (sea bream) has long been used in celebrations in Japan to bring in good luck, which is associated with its vivid red color and beautiful shape. Its status as a celebration fish is also supported by the fact that the word tai rhymes with the expression medetai (happy).
Tanzaku (短冊) - Papers with future aspirations and wishes written on them.
Commentaires