Stand 15 - Geisha's Kimono

Stand #15:

GEISHA’S KIMONO
This is the kimono of a fully fledged geisha (geiko). You can tell it was worn by a geiko rather than an apprentice because of the short sleeves. In Japan, fully fledged geisha are considered to be women who have reached marrying age, but have refused to marry. So, a geiko adopts the dress of a married woman due to her age.

As far as women’s kimono go, this kimono is rather unusual in terms of its motif. The dragon motif is typically considered a symbol of masculine power. As a result, it is very unusual to find women’s kimono patterned with dragons, since they are seen as a “manly” motif. It is said that it takes a very special kind of woman to wear a dragon and some of the few who are bold enough to do so are geisha. You see, Westerners have the misconception of geisha as being quiet, submissive creatures, when in fact to excel at their jobs they must be boisterous, lively and often outspoken individuals.

This particular kimono once belonged to the Yoshifumi Okiya (geisha house) in the Miyagawa-cho hanamachi (flower town) of Kyoto.

Kyoto geisha usually wear their kimono hikizuri or susohiki style - that is with the hem trailing on the ground. Please note that the words hikizuri and susohiki refer to the manner in which the kimono is worn, not the type of kimono itself. These words often cause confusion for new kimono enthusiasts.

Kimono Display I: [link]
Kimono Display II: [link]
Stand #1 - Karinui: [link]
Stand #2 - Yukata and Hanhaba Obi: [link]
Kimono Display III: [link]
Stand #3 - Komon and Nagoya: (Unavailable)
Stand #4 - Houmongi and Chuya Obi: [link]
Stand #5 - Furisode and Fukuro Obi: [link]
Stand #6 - Crested Furisode: [link]
Kimono Display IV: [link]
Stand #7 - Irotomesode: [link]
Stand #8 - Kurotomesode: [link]
Stand #9 - Men's Kimono: [link]
Kimono Display V: [link]
Stand #10 - Bride's Furisode: [link]
Stand #11 - Uchikake: [link]
Stand #12 - Black Crested Furisode: [link]
Kimono Display IV: [link]
Stand #13 - Stage Cotume: [link]
Stand #14 - Apprentice Geisha's Kimono: [link]
Stand #15 - Geisha's Kimono: