February 1, 2013
geisha-licious: maiko Kanamitsu and Kikushino by ANNIE GUILLORET on Flickr

geisha-licious:

maiko Kanamitsu and Kikushino by ANNIE GUILLORET on Flickr

(via superkintaro)

6:09am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/Ztg1Ayd8Kj3_
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(Notes: 106)
  
Filed under: maiko Japan 
January 24, 2013
cratered: Stairstep to heaven, Tateyama’s Oyama summit bears a shrine, where the prayers of Shinto priest Norimaro Saeki are spoken, National Geographic, August 1984

cratered:

Stairstep to heaven, Tateyama’s Oyama summit bears a shrine, where the prayers of Shinto priest Norimaro Saeki are spoken, National Geographic, August 1984

(via superkintaro)

7:08am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/Ztg1AycWwi_A
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(Notes: 442)
  
Filed under: Tateyama Oyama Japan shrines 
January 15, 2013
olmecrecords: The Jomon: the original inhabitants of Japan 

olmecrecords:

The Jomon: the original inhabitants of Japan 

(via loveandchunkybits-deactivated20)

12:59am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/Ztg1Aybp3dNm
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(Notes: 619)
  
Filed under: Jomon Japan 
January 8, 2013
life: Japan’s Emperor Hirohito in Yokohama during his first visit to see living conditions in the country since the end of the war, February 1946. See more photos here.

life:

Japan’s Emperor Hirohito in Yokohama during his first visit to see living conditions in the country since the end of the war, February 1946. See more photos here.

4:06am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/Ztg1AybGOJi_
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(Notes: 212)
  
Filed under: Japan WW II Emperor Hirohito postwar 
January 1, 2013
okiya: Lithograph of an Osaka Maiko 1910s (by Blue Ruin1) “Before World War II, there were a great many Maiko (Apprentice Geisha) in the City of Osaka. Unlike Kyoto Maiko, their Obi (sash) was tied in a version of the Tateya Musubi (Standing Arrow Knot) called the Ya Giccha Musubi (Fortunate House Arrow Knot). They wore their hair in the Mata Kamigata (Forked-branch Hairstyle) rather than the Kyofu (Kyoto-style), with Edo-style sideburns. Their costumes were destroyed by air-raids, together with the majority of their photographs, and they went into decline for financial and other reasons, until Maiko were revived in May 2008 with the debut of two young Geisha.” (Wikipedia Japan - 舞妓 – Maiko (Non-Kyoto Maiko)) (source)

okiya:

Lithograph of an Osaka Maiko 1910s (by Blue Ruin1)

“Before World War II, there were a great many Maiko (Apprentice Geisha) in the City of Osaka. Unlike Kyoto Maiko, their Obi (sash) was tied in a version of the Tateya Musubi (Standing Arrow Knot) called the Ya Giccha Musubi (Fortunate House Arrow Knot). They wore their hair in the Mata Kamigata (Forked-branch Hairstyle) rather than the Kyofu (Kyoto-style), with Edo-style sideburns. Their costumes were destroyed by air-raids, together with the majority of their photographs, and they went into decline for financial and other reasons, until Maiko were revived in May 2008 with the debut of two young Geisha.”

(Wikipedia Japan - 舞妓 – Maiko (Non-Kyoto Maiko)) (source)

(via superkintaro)

6:26pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/Ztg1AyajaZpB
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(Notes: 89)
  
Filed under: Maiko Japan Japanese fashion kimono/obi 
December 30, 2012
collective-history: An Ainu woman, one of the indigenous people of northern Japan, in traditional garments, 1890s Ainu, indigenous people of Hokkaido, Sakhalin, and the Kuril Islands who were culturally and physically distinct from their Japanese neighbours until the second part of the 20th century. The Ainu may be descendants of an indigenous population once widely spread over northern Asia; many contemporary Ainu claim some connection to Japan’s prehistoric Jōmon culture. The traditionalAinu language, an isolate with a number of dialects, had been almost completely supplanted byJapanese by the early 21st century; a language-revitalization movement initiated formal instruction in Ainu in the 1980s. [Britannica.com]

collective-history:

An Ainu woman, one of the indigenous people of northern Japan, in traditional garments, 1890s

Ainu, indigenous people of Hokkaido, Sakhalin, and the Kuril Islands who were culturally and physically distinct from their Japanese neighbours until the second part of the 20th century. The Ainu may be descendants of an indigenous population once widely spread over northern Asia; many contemporary Ainu claim some connection to Japan’s prehistoric Jōmon culture. The traditionalAinu language, an isolate with a number of dialects, had been almost completely supplanted byJapanese by the early 21st century; a language-revitalization movement initiated formal instruction in Ainu in the 1980s. [Britannica.com]

(via superkintaro)

4:36pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/Ztg1AyaZ9oIe
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(Notes: 955)
  
Filed under: Ainu Japan indigenous peoples 
May 30, 2012
okiya: Katsuyama hairstyle “Each July for the Gion Matsuri, senior Maiko wear the Katsyuama hairstyle (also sometimes referred to as marumage despite a noticeable difference between the two styles) with special kanzashi to represent the summer. The origin of the katsuyama is directly linked back to 17th century Edo to a very popular and famous tayuu of the same name. It is also often seen in historical plays, although the actual style is slightly more exaggerated. The Katsuyama was also widely worn through out the Edo era by married women, and only went out of fashion at the beginning of the Showa era with the introduction of a new style called sokuhatsu, a style reminiscent of Charles Dana Gibson’s “Gibson Girls”. Women were encouraged to wear the shokuhatsu due to it being more conventional and hygienic, and of course, more modern. Aside from the ordinary hana-kanzashi and jade tama-kanzashi, Maiko wear a special pink and silver circular kanzashi called bonten that sits in the middle of the mage showing through on both sides. A thick red ribbon made from ro silk with various patterns in silver/gold is also woven around the base and through the centre of the mage.” (source: ImmortalGeisha)

okiya:

Katsuyama hairstyle

“Each July for the Gion Matsuri, senior Maiko wear the Katsyuama hairstyle (also sometimes referred to as marumage despite a noticeable difference between the two styles) with special kanzashi to represent the summer. The origin of the katsuyama is directly linked back to 17th century Edo to a very popular and famous tayuu of the same name. It is also often seen in historical plays, although the actual style is slightly more exaggerated. The Katsuyama was also widely worn through out the Edo era by married women, and only went out of fashion at the beginning of the Showa era with the introduction of a new style called sokuhatsu, a style reminiscent of Charles Dana Gibson’s “Gibson Girls”. Women were encouraged to wear the shokuhatsu due to it being more conventional and hygienic, and of course, more modern.

Aside from the ordinary hana-kanzashi and jade tama-kanzashi, Maiko wear a special pink and silver circular kanzashi called bonten that sits in the middle of the mage showing through on both sides. A thick red ribbon made from ro silk with various patterns in silver/gold is also woven around the base and through the centre of the mage.” (source: ImmortalGeisha)

(via superkintaro)

9:03am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/Ztg1AyMQ7w6I
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(Notes: 63)
  
Filed under: geisha maiko hair Japan 
April 22, 2012
ohmyasian: (via cornersoftheworld:Photo by http://kyokphotography.tumblr.com/)2595. Chidorigafuchi Park, Tokyo. Is it just me or are photos of cherry blossom trees always beautiful?

ohmyasian:

(via cornersoftheworld:Photo by http://kyokphotography.tumblr.com/)

2595. Chidorigafuchi Park, Tokyo. Is it just me or are photos of cherry blossom trees always beautiful?

2:01pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/Ztg1AyK6ZnRP
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(Notes: 516)
  
Filed under: Japan spring sakura (cherry blossoms) 
December 12, 2011
I Can’t Even…What??…Stop Being A Wimp, HK

At my SIL’s house I spotted a plushie doll in the kids’ playroom.  Research reveals that it is a Chibi Kuro Sambo doll, which belonged to my BIL when he was a kid.

I was gobsmacked, and my mind raced with thoughts: Um, what?  Why is this here?  Why pass on this racist cr@p to your kids who are spending the majority of their lives in the U.S.? This doll is ugly as sh!t and your old version is even worse because he’s wearing a grass skirt and other “tribal” accessories…!!!…

I’ve been reading up on Chibi Kuro Sambo and its place in Japanese culture.  On one hand the Japanese are so ignorant of race and racism regarding Blacks and Black culture because their society is so homogeneous.  They don’t have much experience dealing with Black people and the images and info they’ve received has mostly been imported from the west.

Um, okay, yeah.  

So how does one go about educating Japanese people about this issue, the wrongness of this beloved children’s icon?  How do I educate my family members and still retain their good graces?  

I can’t have it both ways. 

As the wife of the youngest son, and being the outsider (the non-ethnic Japanese, the one who doesn’t speak the language), I am suppose to support all the family does.  My husband isn’t bothered by this doll.  (He doesn’t agree with my worldview anyway). I can’t be radical like Al Sharpton and lecture my in-laws. Peace and harmony are suppose to prevail at all times in Mr. Kitty’s family. (I’ve already endured indirect and direct insults about Chinese people, culture, and politics.)

I don’t want to ignore this because despite it being a minor issue it really is major.

Am disappointed with my husband’s family. Am feeling frustrated, feeling like a wimp because I can’t find the gumption to speak out, can’t figure out a good strategy on how to address this matter.  The most difficult times standing up for SJ isn’t when addressing the enemy; it’s when dealing with loved ones.

12:14pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/Ztg1AyD9jt5o
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(Notes: 5)
  
Filed under: Chibikuro Sambo Japan Japanese + racism 
December 2, 2011
traditionaljapan: Prince Hisahito of Akishino at his 4th birthday (he is 5 by now) - he is actually third in line to become Emperor of Japan… and just such a little cutie ♥

traditionaljapan:

Prince Hisahito of Akishino at his 4th birthday (he is 5 by now) - he is actually third in line to become Emperor of Japan… and just such a little cutie ♥

(via superkintaro)

10:15pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/Ztg1AyCkKc6S
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(Notes: 264)
  
Filed under: Prince Hisahito of Akishino Japan Chrysanthemum Throne 
November 18, 2011
okiya: Maiko Ayano and oneesan Fumino from the Fukushima Okiya (Gion Kobu).

okiya:

Maiko Ayano and oneesan Fumino from the Fukushima Okiya (Gion Kobu).

(Source: watashaji.blog81.fc2.com, via superkintaro)

9:55am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/Ztg1AyC4_44D
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(Notes: 25)
  
Filed under: maiko Japan 
November 6, 2011
poochin: HHDL comforts a young boy who lost his parents to the tsunami… on Twitpic in Ishinomaki, Japan

poochin:

HHDL comforts a young boy who lost his parents to the tsunami… on Twitpic

in Ishinomaki, Japan

(via superkintaro)

12:35pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/Ztg1AyBac4Mc
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(Notes: 352)
  
Filed under: His Holiness the Dalai Lama tsunami/earthquake Japan 
October 30, 2011
Discounts and time off work: how Japan is battling a birthrate in decline

(Source: cdrjapannews, via charlietangofoxtrot-deactivated)

1:52pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/Ztg1AyBIb6cD
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(Notes: 14)
  
Filed under: Japan birthrate demography Japanese economy 
October 16, 2011
omgthatdress: Edo-era Konoha Tengu mask via The Victoria & Albert Museum Tengu is translated as “heavenly dog”.  They’re mischievous, one of the yokai (monster spirits).  I’m most familiar with them as demon-like creatures from children’s stories who play pranks on mortals.  Their long noses and bug eyes are their most distinguishing features.   When the Europeans first arrived in Japan their prominent noses and round eyes reminded the locals of tengu.

omgthatdress:

Edo-era Konoha Tengu mask via The Victoria & Albert Museum

Tengu is translated as “heavenly dog”.  They’re mischievous, one of the yokai (monster spirits).  I’m most familiar with them as demon-like creatures from children’s stories who play pranks on mortals.  Their long noses and bug eyes are their most distinguishing features.  

When the Europeans first arrived in Japan their prominent noses and round eyes reminded the locals of tengu.

9:43am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/Ztg1AyAkpNHk
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(Notes: 20)
  
Filed under: tengu mask Edo period Japan 
October 16, 2011
omgthatdress: Edo-period Otobide mask via Christie’s

omgthatdress:

Edo-period Otobide mask via Christie’s

9:18am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/Ztg1AyAkn5oA
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(Notes: 34)
  
Filed under: Noh mask Japan Edo period 
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