The ultimate goal of a geisha is the find a patron, a danna. The patron frees a geisha to pursue her art, to live outside the okiya, and even help start a business. The key to snagging a patron is in the geisha arts: dance, music, and cultural enrichment. The root gei means art. Sha…
Kinki University, Fukuppy?
After reading the title, many of you are snickering. I know I was! Sometimes Japanese names just don’t translate well into English. Osaka’s Kinki University realized this (college officials politely calling their university’s name distracting) and decided to change it’s name to Kindai University. I don’t know, law school and fishery research might be kinky….
Product Review: Love, Chunibyou, and Other Delusions! Season One DVD
Love, Chunibyou, and Other Delusions! Season 1- Release Date: May 27, 2014 If you’ve read my review of Season One of the series, you’ll know that when I started the series, I don’t usually enjoy romantic-comedy series. This series was an exception. Even with the cliche ending that annoyed me, it was a very fun watch…
Geisha: Kimono
Kimono is one of the defining characteristics of a geisha. Geisha wear kimono with a neckline that dips low on the back to show off the nap of the neck. That part of the neck is as sensual for Japanese men as the breast is to Western men. Geisha have a formal kimono (called de)…
IS: Infinite Stratos
What would happen if only women could pilot the most advanced weapon system in the world? They would all attend a school where they use high yield explosives in sporting events! Infinite Stratos (or IS) follows the only male in the world who can use these powerful mechas: Ichika Orimura. He attends the only school…
Geisha: Hair and Kanzashi Styles
It costs around $500,000 to train a geisha. Most of this cost is found in hair styles and kimono. Until an apprentice (called maiko) becomes a geisha, she has to visit a hair dresser each week. Hair styles vary based on the geisha’s rank. Full geisha wear wigs for banquets and special appearances. The rest of…