One of the biggest misconceptions I have heard is that the geisha and maiko of Kyoto are “just like movie stars.” This comment is usually made by tourists or photographers, and it seems to be their rationale for stalking geisha and maiko, blocking their paths and sticking cameras in their faces, and doing just about anything else to get a snapshot of these kimono-clad women. After all, if paparazzi can photograph movie stars and celebrities whenever, wherever, and however they like, why can’t tourists do the same with geiko and maiko in Kyoto?
If you know even a little bit about the world of geiko and maiko, you will realize that they are the complete opposite of movie stars and celebrities. Movie stars and celebrities depend on the public for their fame and fortune, but geiko and maiko don’t. If people stop buying tickets to a star’s movies or stop watching a celebrity’s reality t.v. show, their careers will be in trouble.
The success of geiko and maiko comes in part from the fact that they are part of a world that a relative few have access to, even most Japanese. They do not depend on the public or fans; they depend on the patronage of a relatively small group of customers, some of whom would stop being customers if ochaya (tea houses) became more accessible to a larger number of people.
The one large event that is open to the public is Miyako Odori, held every April in Gion Kobu. However, if you have ever attended Miyako Odori, you will know that no geiko or maiko is featured or marketed or singled out like a movie star. The performers in each scene of Miyako Odori change every day on a set schedule. Most members of the audience are there just to see geiko and maiko, not a specific geiko or maiko.
If someone goes to see a Broadway show, they want to see the star, not the understudy. When people go to Miyako Odori, there are no stars, and no one gets top billing. Each geiko and maiko has her photograph in the program, but all photos are the same size. Those of the most senior geiko come first, and those of the newest maiko come last.
I’m not saying that it’s wrong to photograph geiko and maiko or to be a fan of any of them. It is pretty obvious to anyone who has read my blog or one of my books that I am both. I am saying that it’s wrong to justify your rude behavior in trying to get a photograph of a geiko or maiko by saying they are like movie stars. They are not movie stars, and you are not a paparazzi who might get thousands of dollars (or more) for your photograph. You are a visitor in someone’s neighborhood, and you should act accordingly.
10 Comments
You explained perfectly well. On the other hand maiko and geiko may appear on documentaries or publicities, that’s also maybe why some people consider them like movie star and think to have the right to photograph them whenever they see them. They don’t (want to ?) understand there is a border not to be crossed.
I think geiko and maiko are more comparable to ballet dancers or classical musicians than movie stars, Stefan. These performers are featured in documentaries and concerts and the like, but they don’t seem to have photographers chasing after them!
it makes me really sad when some people do thinks like this with this bad behavior
i think maiko & geiko are really precious and not things
I agree, Marina. Perhaps part of the problem is that people don’t realize that there are girls as young as 16 under the makeup and kimono. They just see the surface.
That is a very good point you make about this, and well said to ^^
But i must say it would be nice if the real paparatzi wern’t so rude, it’s disgusting what they do sometimes.
Respect should be ultimate.
I agree with you, Siren. Sadly, as I look around the world, I see respect lacking in many, many places, not just photography. I hope this changes, but I’m not so optimistic…
(I apologize in advance. My comment may sound bitter.)
It saddens me that some wealthy customers seem to spend their money rather for showing their status in society than to appreciate the company of graceful, elegant and excellently skilled artists when they hire geiko-san or maiko-san.
There’s no reason at all to apologize, and I don’t think your opinion sounds bitter. I believe that most customers do enjoy knowing that they have entry into a world that few have, but they also enjoy and appreciate the company of geiko and maiko as well.
When I first started going to ochaya regularly six years ago, I was always worried that some customers would be a bit hostile towards me since I am neither Japanese nor independently wealthy. I expected at least some to have the attitude of “What’s he doing here?”
Fortunately, most people are curious about who I am, but in a good way. If anything, I make Japanese customers nervous, but it’s because of my language ability, not my race or social status. The ochaya has a karaoke system, and every once in a while some brave soul will sing a song in English, and I’m always asked about their pronunciation afterwords.
Me again! Sorry, I did not express my thoughts clear enough in my comment. When I read that some customers would quit frequenting ochaya if more people had access to them, I felt sad. To me(I may be mistaken, though) that sounded as if these customers enjoy that feeling of exclusivity more than the actual arts performed, which is not very respectful towards geiko and maiko.
Thank you for the clarification!