Three Beauties of Yoshiwara
On the second Saturday and Sunday of ever June there is a large festival in town of Yoshiwara (吉原), part of Fuji City, just to the south of Mount Fuji and very near the Pacific Ocean. The festival is called Yoshiwara Gionsai (吉原祇園際) and is one of the fun Shizuoka style festivals. To start with, here’s three exceptionally lively and very fun beauties belonging to the Rokkencho-neighborhood (六軒町), effectively winning the hearts of all the young men in the city with their performance from one of the many dashi that represents all the neighborhoods of the town. The Rokkencho beauties were definitely the belles of the ball this year’s festival, but in this lovely photo from 1935 they young men and women of Rokkencho look a little bit more cautious. Oh to have been alive to see this festival both in 1935 and 2012! More about Yoshiwara and the festival to come!
Some great pictures here. Totally agree, this group stole the festival. The way they had one foot casually up on the bar combined with a rhythmic wave-like motion was quite alluringly hypnotic. And they totally kept their cool during when the other floats were trying to intimidate them. 10/10!
Thank you Coal! I wish my camera had better video, or at least video that I can trust, alas the D3s as expensive as it is really suck on that respect. Your camera on the other hand… (^-^;) Oh, these girls should get medals or something. Or wait, I have an even better idea, why don’t the shoutengaikai organize a beauty contest for trios in traditional costumes? And have the crowned as the “Festival Maidens of the year” or something…! (^-^;) One can dream… one can dream…!
The video on the 5D2 isn’t that great compared to modern cameras (I have a current model compact Canon that’s actually better at video in most regards). Major problems with rolling shutter and moire effect by using alternate lines. I got a little bit of video of the above as I knew pictures wouldn’t do it justice, but my video didn’t either unfortunately… You could organise your own beauty contest, but you’ll have to prepare the prize yourself. 100 kilograms of potatoes should do it…
You should also try entering the photo contest. Sure you’d have a good chance. I gave a link to your blog to my mother-in-law, so she’s probably the neighbour mentioned in the comment below.
Hi. Nice to meet you. my neighbor just sent me your blog address. These pictures are amazing!
Actually I’m a sister of one of a three girls who is playing a Fue(like a flute).
She really wants to say `Thank you` to you.
Thank you again from me. Hope I can see you next gionsai.
Hi! I’m happy you found the blog and the photos of your sister. She was fantastic, she and her friends were really popular with all the people in the festival. I am glad that you like the photos! Please use them for anything you want! I really hope I can come to the next Gionsai! (^-^)/
Vilka fantastiska fester och seder du dokumenterar. Mängder av stolta traditioner. Intressant att se.
Tack MrsU! Jag älskar traditioner, oavsett land, men det blir inte sämre om dom är så här glada och färggranna!
Jag kan bara hålla med dej!
you really captured the moments.. their true smiles and how happy they are while performing..
Thank you for your kind comment! (^-^)
truly beauty.
Thank you Chorwin! (^-^)/