SearchFeatures
Buy & SellLifeExtra Services |
Memoirs of a pseudo geishaBy: Chris Willson & Becky Bennians Date Posted: 2001-05-25    If you are not willing to give up a large portion of your life in training to become a maiko, and even later a fully-fledged geisha then there is another possibility. The experience is only temporary but for an hour you can become just like one of the women who graced the streets of Gion and entranced all who saw her. On a cold and rainy January afternoon an English and an Australian girl visited a small business near Kyoto’s Kiyomizu temple where with some makeup, wigs and a choice of over a hundred kimonos they were transformed. The following are exerts from Becky’s diary. “Tish and I were first lead into a small changing room on the first floor, where one of the assistants told us to remove all our clothes except our underpants. After a brief moment of shyness we were given thin white gowns, similar to ones worn in operations that tied at the front. Shivering a little as it was still mid winter we were then ushered up to the 3rd floor where the transformation would take place. First our hair was tied back into little caps so that we looked a pair of pixies. Then came the thick layer of white makeup. It felt cold and smooth as it was smeared onto our face and wasn’t unpleasant but I was shocked to see the off-white color my teeth and eyeballs had taken on. With a white base to work on they then did the detail of the scarlet eyeliner and the deep red lips. From the make-up room we were taken into a long thin room full of beautifully intricate and richly colored kimonos. I remember being really indecisive, I wanted to spend hours browsing before choosing but I knew it was an almost impossible task so I choose a lovely simple red one just to be done with it. I was then lead into the dressing room, two women immediately set to work on me. A hard board was tied around my chest to flatten my breasts and although I am sure I now had excellent posture I felt winded and very restricted. Then came the kimono, which was assembled in seconds, and finally a tight and surprisingly heavy wig was placed on my head. I was given then nod that I was finished and I headed in to the other dressing room to look for Tish. As I entered the room I saw an amazing looking Geisha at the other end. I started laughing and began to tell her how I could only walk in tiny steps when I recognized the beautiful Geisha’s red kimono. I suddenly realized the Geisha I was talking to was me. I couldn’t believe I didn’t even recognize myself. Tish and I posed for some professional photos in the studio using several Japanese fans and umbrellas as props to complete the transformation then we shuffled downstairs to show our waiting friends. They were just as stunned and surprised as I was at the change. We took loads more photos by ourselves but soon with the weight of the wig on my head and the board across my chest restricting my breathing I wanted to get out of my costume and back into my jeans and T-shirt. Fifteen minutes later the make-up was gone, the kimono was back on the hanger and I could recognize myself again. I will always have the photos to show others but I don’t think I could ever forget the image of the Geisha I saw in the mirror.” Becky and Tish were transformed at “The Four Seasons,” Kyoto. Packages range from ¥9,500 upwards depending on how many photos you want and whether you wish to take a stroll out in public while dressed as a Maiko, Geisha or Samurai. |
   
|
