Geisha in NYC for the Travel Show
I happened, by some extreme stroke of luck, to hear that some Geisha were going to be in NYC for the Travel Show this past weekend. Not being able to pass up the chance of seeing them, I asked my sister (who was visiting me at the time) if she minded making a quick trip to NYC to meet the Geisha. Thankfully she didn’t need any convincing. ;P
I looked at the online schedule to find that the Geisha were putting on a dance at 2:00 pm, so I planned getting there an hour early, In hopes me meet them at the booth and maybe talk to them a little, etc and the be able to get good seat for their performance.
After power walking ( because I was so excited!) to the convention center from Penn Station, I was alarmed to find crowds of people waiting in line for tickets. Thankfully, it was all for Comic Con which was being held at the same time. Phew! I was directed to the other side of the convention center to where the travel show was. After forking over $10 for a ticket (sister got in free!) We grabbed out complimentary bag for freebies and entered the show.
Everything was easy to find once we were inside. Large banners with numbers and names were posted everywhere, and due to my prior research, I knew I wanted the Yokoso! Japan Booth #741. I got there and was immediately handed loads of pamphlets, maps, and freebies (kimono coasters, shinkasen keychains, onsen bath salt packets, etc) by adorable Japanese people dress in brightly colored Happi Coats. Grabbing doubles of everything (hey, these things make good wall décor!) I asked about the Geisha. They informed me there were to be doing their dance at 2 (in 20 min) and that I’d be able to come back and get my picture taken with them at the booth. The man who explained all this to me showed me a very funny photo in a custom frame of a Geiko and him standing by the cherry blossom photo-op tree they had set up. Too cute!
I then went in search of the stage, which was right around the corner, but before I made it to the actual stage, I got a glimpse of the geisha practicing their dance in this loosely curtained area, which was “the backstage”. I stood about 20 feet away from them, totally in awe and transfixed by their beauty.
My sister, who reminded me we had yet to get seats, pulled me away. Hesitantly I left my private moments of watching the Geisha, and went to find a seat for the show. The stage area ended up being terribly small (yes!) but even though all the seats were filled, I was able to get a GREAT view by standing. The Indian Folks dancers were still performing (So amazing! Extremely colorful and energetic!) and they quickly exited when they finished, with a roaring applause from the audience. The lady who was introducing all the performances then came up and introduced Peter MacIntosh, who appeared on stage wearing a beige yukata with a black obi with gold flecks. He gave very gracious introductions of the three Geisha (one geiko, two maiko) from the Miyagawa-cho hanamachi and I totally missed their names!! ARGH! I’m still so mad! I did manage to catch that the youngest maiko is 15 and the elder was 20 (or was it 21? ). In any case, the first dance they performed was entitled “Spring Rain” and MacIntosh-san explained how all the dances of the geisha (as well as their kimono) are all seasonally influenced.
The second dance they performed was from the finale of the Kyo Odori programs that Miyagawa-cho performs. This was the first time EVER that this dance has been performed outside of Japan! Wow! O___O;;
Both of the dances were absolutely amazing and magical. I felt myself getting goosebumps and I definitely felt chocked up as I watched them. I would have started to cry if it weren’t for the fact that if my sister saw me do such a thing, I’d never hear the end of it. ;) I was so excited and itwas just so much beauty to take in all at once, it was hard for me to handle!
As soon as the dance finished, the geisha quickly left the stage “to rest up” as Peter put it. He then started a Q&A session, whereas this woman immediately got up and asked if Geisha live “normal” lives….as in do they get married, etc. Being the Geisha snob that I am, I ducked out to return to the booth in hopes to beat the crowd to the photographs.
The Geisha didn’t end up coming to the booth for another half and hour later! As I waited I talked (and my sister says “flirted”…I deny that!) with the guys at the booth, explaining to them my previous travel excursion to Japan and my interest in Geisha.
The Geisha finally arrived, and the Geiko went to stand by the cherry blossom tree, ready to get the pictures taken, whereas the two maiko followed this HUGE barrel of sake that was brought out and proceeded to ladle it out to any passers by. I stood only a foot away from these beautiful creatures, maybe even closer, and it was such an experience! To be able to see their hairdos, the waxed strands of hair perfectly combed back into such elegant styles! To see everything up so close (without being creepy!) was really something! I couldn’t believe I was so close to them!
I saw Peter and nervously went up and introduced myself. We exchanged business cards and chatted for a bit. I complimented him on his beautiful photography and webpage, and how I planned to take one of his tours when I return to Japan. I asked about their stay in the city and how the maikos were dealing with traveling with their hairstyles! Thankfully, they were taking them down and traveling back to Japan with western clothes and their hair down so they could travel comfortably. Peter then handed me some sake from one of the Maiko and said he’d introduce me to them once they weren’t so busy.
YIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
So as I waited for people to stop feeling the need to gulp down sake, I got my picture taken with the Geiko, bowing and saying “Ookini” and “Domo Arigato Gozaimashita, Dozo Yoroshiku” to her as I left her side. It was funny to see how tiny and short they were! The Geiko was taller than me (but that could have easily been height from the katsura) and both the Maiko were about my height. Sooooo cute!!!
I spent the rest of the time watching the Maiko (again, hoping my loitering wasn’t being creepy! My sister kept telling me how giddy and ecstatic I was!) elegantly pour out the sake from the barrel with bamboo ladles into little plastic cups. They looked like they were enjoying themselves very much!
Peter then found e again and I showed him the cards I had brought for him and the Geisha. He smiled and thanked me and said he’d give it to them afterwards. He then introduced me to both of the Maiko (again, I was to ecstatic I totally missed their names…doh!) and I could roughly understand what Peter said to them. I believed it to be about: “This is Sera who is an animator here in America. She brought you these presents because she’s a loyal admirer…” Both the Maiko giggled and bowed to me, “Domo arigato gozaimashita!”. I was then brought over to the Geiko and was given the same introduction…. She bowed low too, and said “Ookini” before correcting herself to say “Arigato” , probably thinking I wouldn’t understand anything else but the latter. How cute!
I thanked Peter again, telling him his kindness really made my day, and I left the convention center walking on cloud nine.
*sigh*
I looked at the online schedule to find that the Geisha were putting on a dance at 2:00 pm, so I planned getting there an hour early, In hopes me meet them at the booth and maybe talk to them a little, etc and the be able to get good seat for their performance.
After power walking ( because I was so excited!) to the convention center from Penn Station, I was alarmed to find crowds of people waiting in line for tickets. Thankfully, it was all for Comic Con which was being held at the same time. Phew! I was directed to the other side of the convention center to where the travel show was. After forking over $10 for a ticket (sister got in free!) We grabbed out complimentary bag for freebies and entered the show.
Everything was easy to find once we were inside. Large banners with numbers and names were posted everywhere, and due to my prior research, I knew I wanted the Yokoso! Japan Booth #741. I got there and was immediately handed loads of pamphlets, maps, and freebies (kimono coasters, shinkasen keychains, onsen bath salt packets, etc) by adorable Japanese people dress in brightly colored Happi Coats. Grabbing doubles of everything (hey, these things make good wall décor!) I asked about the Geisha. They informed me there were to be doing their dance at 2 (in 20 min) and that I’d be able to come back and get my picture taken with them at the booth. The man who explained all this to me showed me a very funny photo in a custom frame of a Geiko and him standing by the cherry blossom photo-op tree they had set up. Too cute!
I then went in search of the stage, which was right around the corner, but before I made it to the actual stage, I got a glimpse of the geisha practicing their dance in this loosely curtained area, which was “the backstage”. I stood about 20 feet away from them, totally in awe and transfixed by their beauty.
My sister, who reminded me we had yet to get seats, pulled me away. Hesitantly I left my private moments of watching the Geisha, and went to find a seat for the show. The stage area ended up being terribly small (yes!) but even though all the seats were filled, I was able to get a GREAT view by standing. The Indian Folks dancers were still performing (So amazing! Extremely colorful and energetic!) and they quickly exited when they finished, with a roaring applause from the audience. The lady who was introducing all the performances then came up and introduced Peter MacIntosh, who appeared on stage wearing a beige yukata with a black obi with gold flecks. He gave very gracious introductions of the three Geisha (one geiko, two maiko) from the Miyagawa-cho hanamachi and I totally missed their names!! ARGH! I’m still so mad! I did manage to catch that the youngest maiko is 15 and the elder was 20 (or was it 21? ). In any case, the first dance they performed was entitled “Spring Rain” and MacIntosh-san explained how all the dances of the geisha (as well as their kimono) are all seasonally influenced.
The second dance they performed was from the finale of the Kyo Odori programs that Miyagawa-cho performs. This was the first time EVER that this dance has been performed outside of Japan! Wow! O___O;;
Both of the dances were absolutely amazing and magical. I felt myself getting goosebumps and I definitely felt chocked up as I watched them. I would have started to cry if it weren’t for the fact that if my sister saw me do such a thing, I’d never hear the end of it. ;) I was so excited and itwas just so much beauty to take in all at once, it was hard for me to handle!
As soon as the dance finished, the geisha quickly left the stage “to rest up” as Peter put it. He then started a Q&A session, whereas this woman immediately got up and asked if Geisha live “normal” lives….as in do they get married, etc. Being the Geisha snob that I am, I ducked out to return to the booth in hopes to beat the crowd to the photographs.
The Geisha didn’t end up coming to the booth for another half and hour later! As I waited I talked (and my sister says “flirted”…I deny that!) with the guys at the booth, explaining to them my previous travel excursion to Japan and my interest in Geisha.
The Geisha finally arrived, and the Geiko went to stand by the cherry blossom tree, ready to get the pictures taken, whereas the two maiko followed this HUGE barrel of sake that was brought out and proceeded to ladle it out to any passers by. I stood only a foot away from these beautiful creatures, maybe even closer, and it was such an experience! To be able to see their hairdos, the waxed strands of hair perfectly combed back into such elegant styles! To see everything up so close (without being creepy!) was really something! I couldn’t believe I was so close to them!
I saw Peter and nervously went up and introduced myself. We exchanged business cards and chatted for a bit. I complimented him on his beautiful photography and webpage, and how I planned to take one of his tours when I return to Japan. I asked about their stay in the city and how the maikos were dealing with traveling with their hairstyles! Thankfully, they were taking them down and traveling back to Japan with western clothes and their hair down so they could travel comfortably. Peter then handed me some sake from one of the Maiko and said he’d introduce me to them once they weren’t so busy.
YIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
So as I waited for people to stop feeling the need to gulp down sake, I got my picture taken with the Geiko, bowing and saying “Ookini” and “Domo Arigato Gozaimashita, Dozo Yoroshiku” to her as I left her side. It was funny to see how tiny and short they were! The Geiko was taller than me (but that could have easily been height from the katsura) and both the Maiko were about my height. Sooooo cute!!!
I spent the rest of the time watching the Maiko (again, hoping my loitering wasn’t being creepy! My sister kept telling me how giddy and ecstatic I was!) elegantly pour out the sake from the barrel with bamboo ladles into little plastic cups. They looked like they were enjoying themselves very much!
Peter then found e again and I showed him the cards I had brought for him and the Geisha. He smiled and thanked me and said he’d give it to them afterwards. He then introduced me to both of the Maiko (again, I was to ecstatic I totally missed their names…doh!) and I could roughly understand what Peter said to them. I believed it to be about: “This is Sera who is an animator here in America. She brought you these presents because she’s a loyal admirer…” Both the Maiko giggled and bowed to me, “Domo arigato gozaimashita!”. I was then brought over to the Geiko and was given the same introduction…. She bowed low too, and said “Ookini” before correcting herself to say “Arigato” , probably thinking I wouldn’t understand anything else but the latter. How cute!
I thanked Peter again, telling him his kindness really made my day, and I left the convention center walking on cloud nine.
*sigh*