New Site and Now a Geisha News

Find information about my new site and Now a Geisha’s availability at Amazon.com here!

Important InfoJohn Paul FosterAugust 15, 2018Now a Geisha Comments

New Geisha Mameharu's Katsura

One of the key moments in a geisha's debut is when her katsura (wig of human hair) is placed on her head. Once it has been fitted, the young woman can study herself in the mirror and see how she looks. All of a sudden, there is a geiko staring back at her.

Geisha and MaikoJohn Paul FosterMay 27, 2018debut, erikae, katsura, Kyo Katsura Imanishi, Mameharu, Now a Geisha, Tama, wig Comments

The Secret to Photographing an Erikae

There are 3 secretes I had when photographing the erikae of the geisha Momifuku of Ponto-cho.

Favorite Photos, Geisha and MaikoJohn Paul FosterApril 15, 2018debut, erikae, geiko, geisha, makeup, Momifuku, Momiyuki, Now a Geisha, oshiroi, photo book, Ponto-cho Comments

The First Brush of Oshiroi

One of the key moments in a geisha's debut (erikae) is the first brush of makeup across her face.

Favorite Photos, Geisha and MaikoJohn Paul FosterMarch 11, 2018debut, erikae, geiko, geisha, Gion Kobu, makeup, Manaha, Now a Geisha, oshiroi, photo book Comments

The Japan Times Review of Now a Geisha

Geisha and Maiko, Important InfoJohn Paul FosterDecember 10, 2017erikae, geiko, geisha, Now a Geisha, photo book Comments

It All Began with Mameharu

My book Now a Geisha would not exist if not for Mameharu, the first maiko who gave me permission to photograph her erikae.

Favorite Photos, Geisha and MaikoJohn Paul FosterNovember 26, 2017erikae, geiko, Kurokami, Mameharu, Now a Geisha, photo book, sakko Comments

My New Book, Now a Geisha

My new book, Now a Geisha, is a dream project that took me fifteen years to make. It gives a behind-the-scenes look at the debuts of three geiko in Kyoto, called erikae in Japanese.

Geisha and Maiko, Important InfoJohn Paul FosterOctober 29, 2017debut, erikae, katsura, Momichō, Momifuku, Now a Geisha, wig, Yasuo Imanishi Comments