kimonobox.com » kyoto

Mineko Iwasaki

kimonobox — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 09:03:14 +0000

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.

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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Revenge of the Ninja, Part VI

kimonobox — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 09:44:34 +0000

Ninja starts action in full swing with revenge …

: Revenge of the Ninja is not funny Eimi

Cut …. and re-take with Yumi centre screen

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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Kitchen in the Window, Japan

kimonobox — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 07:15:18 +0000

This is what I love about shopping for food in Japan – the kitchens are often in view of the customer!
Look at this one – they are making the sweets in the front window.

: The kitchen in the window

Kimonobox couldnt resist! And these manju are very good.

: Perfect everytime

Advertised in the magazines – these manju are worth trying if you go to Kiyomizudera in Kyoto.

: Advertised as the best in Kyoto

And they are obviously fresh – so I think the sign means – ‘eat them quick’ which we had no trouble in doing!

: Peak Condition

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Gion and Memoirs of a Geisha

kimonobox — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 01:37:31 +0000

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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Making Ninja, Kimonobox, the movie – Part IV

kimonobox — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 03:28:54 +0000

Another quick glimpse at behind the scenes of Kimonobox, the movie. This post shows Kimonobox, getting fitted with a wig and a Ninja being groomed.

: Ninja uncovered!

I could have fallen asleep during the make-up – it was all very relaxing until they fitted the wig! In fact, I think the Ninja did fall asleep! He was probably conserving his magical powers for later.

: Fitting the wig

: Katsura on a stand

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Kimonobox Part II, Location selection

kimonobox — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:58:08 +0000

Where to shoot the movie? That was our big question – down the streets of Shibuya was not an option. We needed to find something authentic…..this is part two in the series Kimonobox, the movie

In the end, we travelled to Eigamurakan in Kyoto to shoot ‘Kimonobox, the movie’. Perfect.
Part II takes a look at our location selection choice.

” We had better take a look around girls. Do we have the right historical setting?”

: Checking out the location

Watch out for the ninja …..

“Don’t you think we are a bit like Charlie’s Angels …. On the other hand, perhaps we are more like 3 little maids from G and S….?”

: Charlie's Angels? Me thinks not?

Anybody know where that ninja went to?

: Streets from Eigamura Kyoto

This is nice ….. but what is this? red light district ? ….. not so desirable for the kimonobox movie!

: Red Light District?

Nice colours of red but not sure we need this scene!

: Perhaps we could shoot inside the candle makers shop?

This might provide one location selection for kimonobox, the movie …..

: These shops will provide a great background for action

Aha – do we spot a candidate for the sword fighting scene?

: On location

Girls I think we found our ninja! He is warming up ready for a piece of the action! Good lad.

: Ninja Warming up

Looks like we need to work on some sword fighting …. perhaps we should rehearse a few scenes such as these ?

Okay we have staked out the location … now to start making the movie!

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What is a Mizuba?

kimonobox — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:52:48 +0000

Washing at the mizuba is an important part of visiting temples. At the main gate, if there is a mizuba washbasin you should purify your hands and mouth.

: Washing hands and mouth at the mizuba, Kiyomizudera

The water here at Kiyomizudera was lovely – fresh and cold – of course the word ‘kiyomizudera’ means clear or pure water.

: Mizuba at Kiyomizudera

The drinking utensils for this particular mizuba in Kiyomizudera were treated a little differently – they were put into a very modern sterilizer.

: Ultra violet sterilizer

This is Kiyomizudera entrance in June. It is a beautiful place to go and experience Japan, tradition and of course, mizuba.

: Entrance to Kiyomizudera, Kyoto

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Kimonobox, the movie?

kimonobox — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:16:23 +0000

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!

Okay thats a wrap for now …. we will have to edit and publish more later on! Stay tune for Kimonobox on set!

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Kimonobox in Kyoto

kimonobox — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 08:00:13 +0000

: Kimonobox in Kyoto

Kimonobox enjoying the Kyoto sites. Its been over 20 years since I have been to Kyoto. It was great to be back and I really had a wonderful time. As you can see from a post by Shibuya246, Kyoto is a brilliant place to soak up Japan’s heritage and cultural traditions.

So whilst here in Kyoto we mulled over the idea of developing our own movie script ….. we had lots of fun! Stay tune for the series!

Follow Kimonobox, the movie!

Part one
Part two

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Goma is good!

kimonobox — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:07:14 +0000

I am a fan of sesame seed! And therefore was delighted to find that in Kyoto they have sesame seed ice cream. It is very good. Just the right thing for a day of humid 32 degrees and lots of walking!

: Goma Ice Cream- Lovely Taste

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