Good News from Gion Kobu!

Friday, October 25, was a very happy day in Gion Kobu! Can you guess why?

Important InfoJohn Paul FosterOctober 27, 2019geiko, Gion Kobu Comments

I Have Good Old Days?

A chance encounter with the geisha Makiko last Friday led me to a startling realization about my time in Gion Kobu

Geisha and MaikoJohn Paul FosterMay 26, 2019Makiko, erikae, geiko, memory Comments

The Secret to Photographing an Erikae

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

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.

Baikasai in Days Gone By

Baikasai has changed a great deal for photographers since I made this portrait of Katsuru in 2007.

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.

In Praise of Kyoto's Shadows

Rereading Junichiro Tanizaki's essay In Praise of Shadows gave me deeper insight into my photography and the worlds of geiko, maiko, and tayū.

Geisha and MaikoJohn Paul FosterOctober 30, 2016geiko, geisha, Gion Kobu, In Praise of Shadows, Junichirō Tanizaki, Kyoto, Makiko, shadowsComment

Maiko Takahina and Role Playing

Photographing the maiko Takahina of Gion Kobu was both a challenging and rewarding experience!

Geisha and MaikoJohn Paul FosterAugust 29, 2016August 1, geiko, geisha, Gion Kobu, Hassaku, Kyoto, maiko, Takahina Comments

Hanagasa, Kasa, and Geisha, Oh, My!

In Gion Kobu, tradition sometimes gets in the way of making a good photograph!

Momifuku! Erikae!

Momifuku's erikae was a joyous occasion, and with her help I was able to photograph her debut from start to finish.

Geisha and MaikoJohn Paul FosterFebruary 28, 2016erikae, geiko, katsura, kuromontsuki, Momifuku, Ponto-cho Comments

Maiko Mameharu in Summer

My first photo session with the maiko Mameharu of Gion Kobu started out a disaster, but ended up quite well.

Of Frames, Futures, and a New Year

Geisha and MaikoJohn Paul FosterDecember 28, 2015dance, geiko, geisha, Gion Kobu, Japan, kimono, Kurokami, Kyoto, Mamehana, portrait Comments

Geisha Go Beyond Glamour

Geisha and MaikoJohn Paul FosterOctober 25, 2015geiko, geisha, Gion Kobu, Japan, Kyoto, photography, portrait, tenugui, Yukako Comments

The Maiko Mamefuji of Gion Kobu

Favorite Photos, Geisha and MaikoJohn Paul FosterSeptember 27, 2015geiko, geisha, Gion Kobu, Japan, kanzashi, Kyoto, maiko, Mamefuji, photo, portrait, Wisteria Comments

The Geisha Mamehana and Shadows

Favorite Photos, Geisha and MaikoJohn Paul FosterJune 28, 2015geiko, geisha, Gion Kobu, Japan, katsura, Kyoto, Mamehana, photograph, portrait Comments

Light, Color, Geisha

Favorite Photos, Geisha and MaikoJohn Paul FosterMay 31, 2015geiko, geisha, Gion Kobu, Japan, katsura, kimono, Kyoto, Makiko, portrait Comments

The Tea Ceremony at Miyako Odori

Geisha and MaikoJohn Paul FosterApril 26, 2015geiko, geisha, Gion Kobu, Japan, Kyoto, Mameharu, Miyako Odori, photo, photograph, smile, tea ceremony Comments

Odori Season and a Book Recommendation

Geisha and Maiko, Important InfoJohn Paul FosterMarch 29, 2015dance, geiko, geisha, Kamogawa Odori, Kimina, Kitano Odori, Kyo Odori, Kyoto, Miyagawa-cho, Miyako Odori, photography, portrait Comments

The Twilight of Geisha and Maiko?

Geisha and Maiko, Important InfoJohn Paul FosterFebruary 22, 2015dance, geiko, geisha, Gion Kobu, Japan, kimono, Kyoto, Makiko, photography, portrait, Yukako Comments