Kitano Tenmangu Shrine has a huge flea market on the 25th of every month, but on the 25th of February this coincides with the peak period for plum blossom viewing. Naturally this calls for a special celebration so every year they hold a special outdoor tea ceremony with geiko and maiko (Kyoto's geisha) serving the tea. I went along today and found the place packed out with … [Read more...] about 梅花祭 ~ Plum Blossom & Geisha at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
Maiko
The Photographs of Frédéric Devos
This is the fourth in a continuing series of profiles of Kyoto-based photographers. Each photographer chooses five of their favorite pictures from around Kyoto and tells us a little about what those pictures mean to them. So far the participants have each shown a unique and canny eye on the city they live in. Today's participant, French traveler and photographer Frédéric Devos, … [Read more...] about The Photographs of Frédéric Devos
Geisha Dance: Kamogawa Odori
John Dougill writes... Charlie Chaplin loved it, and so have thousands of others. The Kamogawa Odori is simply irresistible and a rare chance to see geisha perform in public. It helps make May the merriest month of the year. Kyoto has five geisha areas in all, popularly known as 'hanamachi' or flower districts. Gion is the biggest and best-known; Pontocho which stages … [Read more...] about Geisha Dance: Kamogawa Odori
