Kohana and Kagami Mochi
Sometimes the stars align in your favor, and my fourth time photographing the maiko Kohana of Gion Kobu was one such time.
The Kimono
When I asked what color kimono Kohana would be wearing that day in December, I was told simply “purple.” As you can see, her kimono is much more than simply purple!
It is one of the most beautiful I have ever photographed, and I have never seen another quite like it — and I’ve seen a lot of kimono over years. More importantly, the kimono complemented the setting perfectly.
The gold flowers, vines and and other decorative shapes on her kimono, like the fan at the end of her left sleeve, blend perfectly with the fusuma (sliding doors) behind her. And the blue light coming through the windows is analogous to the deep and light purples of her kimono.
I did plan the lighting very carefully, but I did not realize how well it would harmonize with her unique kimono and the background.
The Lighting
Although the lighting might look simple, it is actually quite complex, and it’s lighting I only use in the cold winter months. Why?
The main light here is rarely seen these days. It is a continuous tungsten light, the kind used in Hollywood films until relatively recently. The quality of light is much different from studio strobes, but it has one big drawback: it gets very hot after only a minute or two, so hot that you have to wear protective gloves to touch it.
It also gets hot for the model, which is why I only use it in December, January, and February in Kyoto. A maiko like Kohana would melt if I used it in the warmer months!
The tungsten light has a warm, golden glow to it that does wonders for the skin, even if the skin is covered by white oshiroi makeup.
There is also a light behind the camera to slightly soften the dark shadow Kohana is casting on the sliding doors, and there are two more lights with blue gels illuminating the windows behind her.
The Dance
Kohana is performing “Kagami Mochi” here, which is literally translated as “Mirror Rice Cakes.”
Kagami mochi are a treat eaten at New Year’s in Japan, and the dance is thus only performed in December and January by maiko in Gion Kobu. Both the food and the dance are symbols of happiness, fortune, and good luck.
Seeing the dance performed is an auspicious event, and a way to start the New Year on a promising and prosperous note.
The Maiko
Of course, nothing matters more than the maiko performing the dance. This marked my fourth time photographing Kohana, a year and a month after I first met her. I don’t believe I really know a maiko or geiko until I have photographed her at least three times, so we were just starting to hit our stride working together.
Kohana was more comfortable and relaxed with me, both as a maiko and a model, and I think that shows.
The future
We are a little less than two months from the end of 2023 and start of 2024. May this year end — and 2024 begin — with nothing but auspicious signs for you, your family, and your loved ones.
This is my first blog post in more than two years, and I will continue to post on the first Sunday of every month going forward. It’s good to be back! If you’ve been here before, welcome back! And if you’re new, I’m glad to have you here!
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