Geisha’s are quintessentially Japanese, symbolic and iconic. However, they are equally as hard to spot- like a rare bird. Therefore, I was very excited to see one on a recent trip to Kyoto. Wandering the windy streets of Gion, she emerged in front of me, rolling out of a traditional tea house accompanied by an entourage of important looking people. Gion is swathed in hoards of tourists and locals alike, making it very difficult to get a photo and resigning me mostly to shots from behind. Still, my citing ticked off another thing on my list of must see’s in Japan.
snow monkey photography 
indiGo June 16, 2012
Nice shot. Geisha are like endangered specie nowadays. haha
winegums July 11, 2012
Thanks! They really are an endangered species! If you spot one you have to stalk them like a lion in case you never see one again 🙂
ishooteditnblog June 16, 2012
Fantastic shots ! Really amazing! =)
winegums July 11, 2012
Thank you 🙂 I was really lucky to see her, even if it was mostly from behind!
youmeandatanuki June 16, 2012
Great shot! I love how the geisha is in focus and all the other people are blurry. Nice!
winegums July 11, 2012
Thanks! Like your blog too by the way 🙂 Always good to check out another 365! It’s harder than it sounds!
wittymistee June 17, 2012
Nice photo.It’s really hard to find geishas in Gion. If you find one it’s difficult to get a good shot.
winegums July 11, 2012
Thanks! Its so true- they are hard to spot and when you do you have to stalk them down the street like a lion trying to get a glimpse of their face. It seem rude to run past them and start firing away with your camera!
oneweektocrazy June 17, 2012
Wow, I feel like I’m right there in the photo!
Cheers,
Courtney Hosny
http://www.oneweektocrazy.com
winegums July 11, 2012
Thanks! That really was the best perspective I could get, amongst the crowds.
messymotto June 18, 2012
This is such a beautiful photograph! Love it
winegums July 11, 2012
Thank you! I love compliments 🙂
ashesm June 19, 2012
Wow, I love the Kimono clad woman! I never did have the pleasure of going to mainland (my husband and I lived on Oki for 4 years) What do you love about Japan? What do you dislike?
winegums July 11, 2012
She was a proper Geisha! In Gion! I was very happy, something quintessentially Japanese ticked off the list. I live in the countryside teaching little Japanese kids English- I suppose what I love is being immersed in such a different culture and how much Japanese people welcome you and want you to get involved. As for dislikes, I have eaten some very odd things. Turtle arm soup being the strangest. How about you?