The photographs are accompanied by autobiographical text and captions by Komomo, as she shares her thoughts and emotions, and describes the day-to-day existence of a Kyoto apprentice. It is an illuminating view of seven years in the life of a very special young woman.
Komomo, a contemporary geisha from Kyoto, Japan, undergoes the elaborate makeup application that completes her transformation.
Q: How are geisha viewed in modern day Japan? Is this different from what you understand the perception to be in the Western world? Ogino: In general, people find geisha unattainable and they really would like to see them if they could have the chance. I also think there are fewer preconceived notions toward geisha in Japan than in the west.
Q: Many Americans have formed their opinions about the geisha world based on the book and film, Memoirs of A Geisha. How do people in the geisha profession feel about the book and the film? Are there any misconceptions that you would like to clarify?
Ogino: I consider the book absolute fiction, not a documentary. It’s a pity that the story describes extremes with a lack of humanness. I often hear complaints about the film from people who are not involved in hanamachi, saying that the kimono styles, make-up, and hairstyles look far from reality. It is true that the book and the movie got attention for the geisha world, but unfortunately the film increased the gap between the real world of Geisha and people’s understanding of them.
Q: What do contemporary Japanese men think of geisha? What about Japanese women?
Ogino: Japanese men think geisha are mysterious. And also they adore geisha to some degree. On the other hand, young Japanese women especially adore geisha. A lot of Japanese men think they want to have a chance to have a party at ozashiki (banquet parties hosted by full geishas) even just once. And a lot of women think they want to have a chance to dress up as a geisha and take pictures. It is not unusual for mother and daughter to take these pictures together.
Q: How have you changed throughout the apprenticeship and this project?
Ogino: I started to rethink the significance of life. I realized I tended to value inorganic things, such as money, through my Japanese education and society. I have seen the importance of culture beyond the perception of tourism. Throughout the photo shoot for the book, my life became more enriched.
Q: Has this experience affected your relationships with women outside the geisha world?
Ogino: My point of view has changed not only for women but for all people. I feel more strongly that people establish themselves based on their environment, culture, and surroundings as well as their sense of values and education. Through my work with Komomo, I’ve been noticing how people accumulate experiences and change their personality. This experience brought me a spiritual sustenance for my life beyond reading a book or attending a class. As for the change in how I see a woman, I realized you can’t describe the source of a woman’s beauty without thinking about her heart and culture.
Q: Are geisha practices different now than they were in the past?
Ogino: There is no difference in terms of highly esteemed hospitality but I see differences in surface appearance. For example, people can now become apprentices after graduating compulsory education—or junior high school. In the past, there were apprentices who weren’t even 10 years old yet. At the time, they had more time to practice to become a geisha. There used to be a crest on the bottom part of the kimono belt, which was designed as a guide to help a young apprentice easily find her geisha house if she were to get lost. Now, there is no longer a purpose for the crest. Hanamachi coexists with its customers. As Japanese manufacturing style has changed and as industries which were based on thread diminished, the culture of hanamachi lost people who understand its history and traditions. Nowadays, after the bubble burst in Japan, a lot of smaller companies went bankrupt so the number of customers of hanamachi has decreased. But the strengths of tradition exist in adaptability, not in the conservative mind. For example, as far as job recruiting through the internet, Japan is the most successful country in the world. I guess the change of the recruiting system could be the most notable change in hanamachi.
Q: What was your perception of geisha before you began to work on this project versus the reality of what you saw day-to-day?
Ogino: My perception about geisha has changed since I began working on this project. I once thought geisha were mysterious, cute and beautiful women who wear a kimono everyday. Now, I’ve come to understand that their existence is a miracle in that their long history has survived until now. Before working on this project, I only noticed the beauty, novelty and freshness of the geisha. Now, my fascination with Japanese culture continues to grow deeper.
