Miniature geisha projects for dollhouses, roomboxes and dioramas
The word geisha consists of two Japanese words: Gei (art) and sha (human). They are female artists. And what is their art?
- Accomplished musicians, they play traditional Japanese instruments (such as the koto, shamisen, taiko, and shakuhachi),
- Sophisticated hostesses, they entertain guests (with conversation, not prostitution), perform traditional Japanese dances, play games (like konpira fune fune), and enact elaborate traditional tea ceremonies.
Geisha were not and are not prostitutes. The rank of professional prostitutes in Japan was called Yujo. The false reputation of geishas as courtesans was created during WW2, when Japanese prostitutes entertained American soldiers. The prostitutes represented themselves as real geishas.
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Links to miniature projects
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- photo albums, blog posts, webpages
Geisha 1 and 2 - American interpretation
Blogs
- Blogs concentrating on geisha or categories/labels about them in blogs
Groups
- Discussion groups, forums (or forum categories) and photo groups dedicated to geisha.
Tsuruko Maiko - a forum for geisha, kimono and other Japanese culture
Supplies for sale
- Supplies needed for making geisha projects.
Miniature geishas for sale
Geisha miniatures for sale
- Do you have a section for geisha in your shop? Add a direct link to that item here.
Books
- Books about miniature geisha projects (also books with chapters about them)
Instructions for miniatures
Miniature printables
Wallpapers
- Wallpapers that go well with geisha projects
Other Printies
- Book/magazine covers related to geisha
Links
- links to sites showing how to make items related to geisha
Geisha - from MSAT Minidoll List (romantic, artistic impression of a geisha)
Videos
- YouTube videos about miniature projects related to this subject
Research/ Inspiration
Geisha (jap. 芸者) - a term which was created in the Tokugawa period.
The geisha tradition comes from taikomochi. Firstly geishas were only males, but in later times to this profession included females, known as onna geisha. In present times geishas are only women, but the taikomochi tradition continues as well.
Geishas live in houses called okiya (in Tokio geishaya). For the parties, they mostly go to tea houses (jap. ochaya).
They are several stages and ranks in the life of a geisha. The most basic ones are minarai (before achieving the maiko rank, they go to parties and observe how their older sisters work, but do nothing), maiko (in tokio Hangyoku) and geiko. Maiko is a practicant, a geiko is the full experienced geisha.
Minarai:
Maiko:
Younger maiko (see the lips and hair ornaments [kanzashi]):*
Geiko:
(*the term older or younger refers to rank, not age!)
They are more differences than mentioned above, but this are the most basic.
Geisha Girl : Becoming a geisha 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 - a really great film which shows the preparation of a girl for her debut: (presented in episodes on Youtube)
Hanamachi - a German site about Geishas
Japan Zone - geisha
Memoirs of a Geisha - 2007 movie (it doesn't show a real geisha, but for people that have to know, that geisha aren't prostitutes, it's the right film)
Tips/Hints
Ideas about what is needed for these projects
Geisha scene
- Kimono, fan, umbrella - maiko shoes: okobo and the most popular shoes for geiko: zori
- Ceremonial tea set
- musical instruments- shamisen, flute, drums
- links to inspiring pages
- ideas for shop names
- YouTube videos about the subject
Hits Feb 2011:
