At the age of five Mineko left home to study traditional Japanese dance in Gion, Kyoto and by 21, she was considered Japan’s best dancer and maiko.

I was pleased to have found these clips on youtube.

The first clip shows Mineko Iwasaki’s introduction to the okiya – geisha house as a child.

Fabulous picture of Japan's most famous geisha

Thanks to ImmortalGeisha and Naomi no Kimono Asobi for the photo.

The second clip provides an insight into the problems surrounding the publication of the best-selling book, Memoirs of a Geisha. Iwasaki was interviewed in the process of researching this book and the interview in the second clip discusses the apparent broken promises of the author. In the interview, she explains that this caused her much grief.

Mineko Iwasaki later wrote her own book, Geisha of Gion, and sued Arthur Golden for breach of contract and defamation.

I wonder how many of you have read Mineko Iwasaki’s book?

Geisha_of_Gion

For some more photos of Mineko Iwasaki as a maiko and geisha, go to this flickr account.

For more info on geisha, I suggest a very recent post on Evening with a Geisha by @shanesakata – thenihonsun At the age of five Mineko left home to study traditional Japanese dance in Gion, Kyoto and by 21, she was considered Japan’s best dancer and maiko.

I was pleased to have found these clips on youtube.

The first clip shows Mineko Iwasaki’s introduction to the okiya – geisha house as a child.

Fabulous picture of Japan's most famous geisha

Thanks to ImmortalGeisha and Naomi no Kimono Asobi for the photo.

The second clip provides an insight into the problems surrounding the publication of the best-selling book, Memoirs of a Geisha. Iwasaki was interviewed in the process of researching this book and the interview in the second clip discusses the apparent broken promises of the author. In the interview, she explains that this caused her much grief.

Mineko Iwasaki later wrote her own book, Geisha of Gion, and sued Arthur Golden for breach of contract and defamation.

I wonder how many of you have read Mineko Iwasaki’s book?

Geisha_of_Gion

For some more photos of Mineko Iwasaki as a maiko and geisha, go to this flickr account.

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This pillow gets top marks! It is full of soba/buckwheat hull and it is very good at alleviating stress!

Good nights sleep

It is not supposed to collect odor or moisture and so far my Japanese pillow has stood up to the test.

This design was supposed to mirror the traditional designs of pillows used for Geisha. Afterall, with these types of hairstyles I suppose you would need support the neck and keep the hair just right!

With one of these styles pillow selection could be important

I really like the way that my pillow is advertised in Ito Yokado. You can see for yourself what is in the box. It doesnt look that good but it is comfy!

What's in the box?

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The final episode in Kimonobox, the movie

Between the Ninja and this headgear – my day has been fraught to say the least!

Tassels in face - not a good look

Lets shoot the final scene coming out of the bath house …..

bath house

Okay this looks like a wrap!? Do we take a bow?

Thank you for coming

Meet the fans now? Do the autograph thing?

They think we are movie stars?

And another….. They think they are watching a drama series ! ….

More photos for the crowds

Where has ninja gone now?

That boy is in his element

Lot of fun for all – brilliant try out as Geisha and Ninja in Edo! Kyoto – Eigamurakan – many thanks for watching!

Maybe we could run a sequel ?

Walk off into the sunset - The End

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The gorgeous Eimi who continues to fend off that ninja through her smiling powers!

Introducing Eimi

Eimi is enjoying her stay in Edo and sporting a magnificent red and white flower headdress. Go girl!

This is Yumi - the Japanese princess, with mysterious hidden powers

Yumi is versatile and capable of working fast to counter-attack naughty ninjas!

This is nice the two girls in kimono posing for the Edo camera crew ….. but wait ….

the girls

…. where is Kimonobox?

OMG – that is scary – is that supposed to be a screen babe from Edo ? Me knows not! It looks like Kimonobox.

Kimonobox says she is not babe of the week

Cross to the girls……they are in conversation again ….

What’s that you say Eimi … ?

Girls laugh … Edo style of course, with Kimonos lifted just so….(by the way, they are really heavy!)
It appears that Kimonobox has started directing the movie herself….

Typical of the leading stars they just can't stick to acting, they have to direct and edit themselves ....

Girls wait patiently while Kimonobox has a word with Ninja … looks like the storyboards might take a twist?

Ninja ...what we need is a cliff hanger

Ninja and Kimonobox develop the story board…..

I guess this could be the action that shows Edo atmosphere

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Ninja starts action in full swing with revenge …

Revenge of the Ninja is not funny Eimi

Ninja attacks Yumi by herself – but its okay!
Watch Yumi – (she has special powers!)

Go, go Yumi - are you ninja too?

Crikey Yumi is doing well, but how did Kimonobox mysteriously appear in this scene – is she Doraemon?

Where did kimonobox come from?

Kimonobox looks like she is about to dance! Is she attending o-matsuri?

Can we see more fear in face please, Kimonobox?

Fear, surprise, Ninja attack

Kerching

Ummmm ….

director says need to cut and go to side angle of girls facing fierce, exotic, fighting ninja – this will really give impact of Edo days

Ninja attacks in street

That’s the shot – kerching – noise of sword swiping soundly and swiftly – ninja style of course

Close up on Ninja sword

Charlie’s Angels starting to get into the swing of it now!
Looks like girls power … till next posting stay tune … Kimonobox, the movie!
..

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As we worked our way through narrow Gion streets, we were reminded of the centuries old tradition – we were re-living our own memories of Memoirs of a Geisha combined with our expectations of yester-year Japan!

The streets of Kyoto did not disappoint! They were quiet and gentile.

Beautiful - Just Kyoto

We were delighted by this lady in kimono who posed for her photo – thank you!

I was again reminded by the Memoirs of a Geisha movie and the lines in the script that said,

True Geisha can stop a man in the street with a single look

Kyoto Streets

And the other line -

We do not become geisha to pursue our own destinies

There was real ambience of old Japan.

Kasa providing shade?

It was June and quite muggy – perhaps people were resting inside?

It was lunch but quiet

3 lovely girls in yukata

Wonderful to visit Kyoto - still full of tradition

The poor man on the jinrikisha wasn’t resting – it was hard work…

Transport Anyone?

Some memories from – Memoirs of a Geisha

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Part V in the series Kimonobox, the movie!
Enough of the background prep … now to get into the script ….
First scene, kimonobox sets up noodle shop and offers sake to Edo neighbours Eimi and Yumi

Ramen or Sake Eimi

Eimi taken aback by kimonobox offering her sake so early in the day! She forgets her lines….oops! again – cut! Take two…..

Stall set up

Come on girl, you are gorgeous geisha now! What Edo Ramen can I serve you today?

Do you want menu A or menu B?

Kimonobox likes running a street stall in Edo – very nice! Wonder if she can fight the recession ….?

Irrasshai, irrasshai

What is that in the background, is it a ninja coming in for lunch?

Surprised look - Kimonobox shows concern

Watch out Kimonobox!

Ninja retreats

Did I just experience a ninja in my kitchen?
Come back ninja I need some help with the dishes.

Looks like Kimonobox is Ramen Girl ….. ?

umm left overs

Little bit of clean up and then I must find out where Eimi and Yumi have gone ….

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Nothing better than making a movie to build the brand – and what a better place than this studio in Kyoto to shoot the kimonobox movie.

Oooh watch out for that naughty ninja!

We were lucky with the cast – that ninja was brilliant. Eimi and Yumi were great but kimonobox wasnt always in the right place! Re-take!

Better action was to be had when the ninja came in from above ….. kaching! but the camera man dropped something and the angle was strained!

Real action on the set

Take three —-

Ninja is ready for action - lady, can you move that baby?

The scene was set for beautiful Eimi to meet sword slashing ninja in street ……. that ninja looks really bad!
But dear me ! Eimi forgets her lines!

Too funny - Eimi forgot her bit!

Take four –

Ninja creeps up on girls!

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