Author: un regard oblique

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Maiko Momotaro - Sakkou Hairstyle 1920shttps://embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

Maiko Momotaro – Sakkou Hairstyle, 1920′s 
“Originally believed to be worn by married women of the merchant class during the late Edo period (1603-1868), starting in the Meiji era (1868-1912) the sakkou was the hairstyle worn by apprentice geisha in the weeks leading up to their debut as full-fledged geisha.“

(Voyages en Photographie) /   src: Blue Ruin

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Koyakko showing her Obi 1920shttps://embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

Koyakko showing her Obi, 1920′s
The very iki (stylish or chic) geisha Koyakko. During her subsequent career as the master dancer Hanayagi Sumi, an orchestral ballet entitled “Heavenly maiden and fisherman” was written for her, which she first performed in 1932. / src: Blue Ruin

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Osaka Maiko Yachiyo II - 1915https://embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

Osaka Maiko Yachiyo II, 1915
Myōseki (inherited names) are often used when naming a new Maiko (Apprentice Geisha) as a mark of respect for a former Geiko (Geisha) and as a means of carrying the cachet of celebrity down through generations.

The geimei (professional name) of a meigi (famous geisha) who has retired from the profession is given to a promising young maiko, but with the suffix ‘the second’ added to it. This can carry on ad infinitum i.e. ‘the third, the fourth, etc.’ with successive generations. This hereditary naming system applies to almost all artisan professions in Japan, including Tayuu (Courtesans) and Kabuki Artists. source: Blue Ruin

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