We are back from Japan!!
My head is too full of colorful memories right now to be able to jot them all down in a coherent manner, so I'll start by giving some brief recaps and flashing some photos now and then.
First up: Our experience dressing up as a Maiko (Geisha apprentice) and Samurai.
I was sent to change into a way-too-small "nightie" of sorts and then sent up to sit in a long line of women being assembly-line painted into Maiko and Geisha likenesses.
I was the only Gaijin (foreigner).
First the white powder and then the rest of the makeup.
Then it was time to pick out a kimono. And wait.
When it was my turn to be dressed, my breasts were smashed and tied. My movement was severely restricted. I was tied tighter and tighter with each passing layer of clothing (I lost count of the layers as I lost breath). I could barely breathe (each time the woman who dressed me would tighten something on me, she'd say "not too tight eh?" and I'd say, "yes a little" and she'd laugh and go on to the next piece!)
Then time for the wig, which weighed as much as a small human. The whole process took over 2 hours!
Then I was shoved out the door into those giant shoes and voila, time to walk and pose!
Tony and I had about 30 minutes out there to walk around and pose.
The photographer had her own poses in mind, for the most part. I couldn't breathe and my eyes were tearing up like crazy from all the powder/makeup and wind, so I think I look a bit like a zombie in half the shots. Plus Iwasn't wearing my glasses so I couldn't see 3 feet in front of me!!! And it took all my concentration to maneuver in those shoes!
But I can honestly say it was a blast!! I loved it!!!!!
After she was finished photographing us, she gave us leave to wander a bit longer and take our own photos of each other.
I was worried that it would be a cheesy and touristy experience or that we would offend someone, but I needn't have feared. We were the only gaijin there! Its obviously very popular with Japanese women too!
To me, it was a way to feel a part of the Japanese culture that I love so much. Cheesy, Touristy- perhaps. But fun all the same. And eye-opening in terms of being able to experience first hand what goes into a Maiko's or Geisha's fashion routine.
The best part was that I was a huge hit w/ all the Japanese visitors to the nearby shops and temple... I was asked again and again to stop and pose for them or even with them. I wish I had photos of all the folks we posed with. Most of them wanted us to do the peace sign! (As an aside: there was another gaijin couple, not in costume, that were wondering why we all kept making V's with our hands- LOL).
We had ablast!! I sort of felt a little like a celebrity. LOL. I kept hearing people yelling words for "beautiful" and "pretty" at me. It was all very sweet.
