Heian Period


recently i was very interested in Japan's history. Probably after i've read the comic 棋魂 many years ago and now watched Onmyoji.

Both stories have the lead male costume...was so weird. So i went to study a little more about the heian period and got more of the pictures of what they call Kariginu- casual weared only by the coutier without any weapon.

I found it so interesting e.g where on earth can you find another hat which is tall, sharp and stay in your head stabilised after bowing and where can you find another costume where it is cut to form a square shape on the chest?
The pattern on the wide sleeve was a mystery but it adds spice to the rigged up costume.

The picture below was Noshi and the next is Kariginu...bascially i dont understand why there are two names referringt to almost 99% similar costume...both picture wasnt as appealing as the one i saw... =b

In the past colours were regulated in court of man's rank.

A man in casual dress showed his refinement and sensitivity by pairing colours according to the season, the occasion, or his mood. I believe it is only in Heian period; colours survive.

At that time, many poems and music were composed in the peaceful city- Kyoto.
Many a times, poems were written on a five frame fan.
Living in Heian period wasnt bad at all, right haha

From the male lead, i get to know of Minamoto no Yoshitsune from the Tale of Genji and one of the oldest arts- 狂言.
Below are pictures taken from Onmyoji. The story reflected how people lived and the prosperity of the period. The actor Mansai Nomura in Onmyoji is mesmerzing!!!

Labels: Biography Movies

I blieve in this statement: Every artist is sentimental and willing to scarifice for Arts.
Yea this time round i've watched Memoirs Of A Geisha, 2005.

wats a Geisha?
Geisha are traditional, female Japanese entertainers, whose skills include performing various Japanese arts, such as classical music and dance. Contrary to popular opinion and Western stereotypes, geisha are not prostitutes.
Geisha are often hired to attend parties and gatherings, traditionally at tea houses (茶屋, ochaya) or at traditional Japanese restaurants (ryōtei).



After the movie, there was a more clearer view of the culture of Japan in the 18th
century.

During the Edo period, prostitution was legal and prostitutes such as the oiran were licensed by the government. By contrast, geisha were strictly forbidden from holding a prostitution license, and were officially forbidden to ever have sex with their customers.

In the movie, perhaps is a true story...all Geisha are restricted to live according
how they want. How a girl was sold to the geisha house is not common till this modern days but what fancy me is how does a geisha lives and the process in becoming a professional(maiko).

Basically their make up appears "out of the space" fashion when i saw it.
The white makeup covers the face, neck, and chest, with two or three unwhitened areas (forming a "W" or "V" shape) left on the nape, to accentuate this traditionally erotic area, and a line of bare skin around the hairline, which creates the illusion of a mask.
"....i don thk so...." Slowly as the lead grew older, i was puzzled why she no longer applied a heavy make up?
The reason for this is that she has now become mature, and the simpler style shows her own natural beauty.
"....mmm now i know..."

A maiko wears red with white printed patterns. The junior maiko's collar is predominantly red with white, silver, or gold embroidery. Two to three years into her apprenticeship, the red collar will be entirely embroidered in white (when viewed from the front) to show her seniority. Around age 20, her collar will turn from red to white.





Geisha wear a flat-soled sandal, zori, outdoors, and wear only tabi (white split-toed socks) indoors. In inclement weather geisha wear raised wooden clogs, called geta. Maiko wear a special wooden clog known as okobo.
Man wasn't the trend many years ago when japanese was so keen in wearing similar as clog? N i do see some in Singapore on my way to school, early in the morning haha

Why do i say i believe the statement earlier on..is because whether or not every Geisha is willing to be one, eventually the one who started this business wanted to preserve the origin culture. =)

i managed to find good-looking geisha besides those "well-fed" ones...you know..some times ago...woman are prefered to be fatter. =P haha



However based on the movie storyline..i find it absurd. How did a girl about 9 years old possibly fall in love with a going 30s old man? Gratitude of heart turned into love? ...absolutely i do not understand. anyway beside that the movie is simply Great, Interesting. =)
There is this little girl, Suzuka Ohgo, acted as little chiyo. She has a nice smile.
The movie is able to portrayed a real life of Geisha; the credits goes to Liza Dalby.

She is the only foreigner to have become a Geisha. In conducting an ethnographic study for her postgraduate work she became a Geisha for a period of a year, her youth delved in Japanese culture and art became a rich asset as doors opened for her that would for no other Western woman. The culmination of her research is this book, based on her experiences in the Pontocho district. This gives a realistic idea of the daily life of a Geisha, with some history and understanding given to the traditions, along with some delightful anecdotes that could only come from one so steeped in Geisha culture.
Do Geisha in this modern days earned as much back in 19 century? How do they feel being a Geisha?



I wanna to take a look of a real Geisha personally!

Labels: Biography Movies

wanna shared with you something good, real good.

THE MIRACLE WORKER
is based upon a true story between a deaf, mute and blind
child and a teacher, Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan.

The DVD shows how Annie Sullivan perserved on in wanting to
see Helen able to surive in the world. Her faith upon
Hellen never dies off despite being ill-treated back.

The little girl acting was amazing. She acted very well, everyone
will thought the movie invited a real blind, deaf and mute girl.
The little girl name is Hallie Kate Eisenberg.

Here's the Two Quotes by Helen Keller
"Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it."

"We can do anything we want if we stick to it long enough."

Helen Keller received a B.H at Radcliffe College, the sister school of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1904. She was selected in the most influencial people in America for the 20th centry. Every successor has a great teacher.
For Helen is the same, she has a patience and strong teacher.

Annie Mansfield Sullivan Macy life was hard on her as a child but her strong will
keeps her from falling and eventually acomplished something remarkable in the history. Man, She has the Style!



Its a Year 2000 prouction by Disney. I love to watch true life story which
i've also watch

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN
A 2002 Produciton by Steven Spielberg.

The story protrayed a true story of a real fake- Frank Abagnale Jr.
DO you like to be a Pilot, Lawyer, Doctor all at the same time?
Impossible? Think again after watching this movie.

In the 60's Frank uses names & fake cheque to cash out money from different
banks. He successfully run away as those cheques needs 3 weeks to bounce.
Thus for 6 whole years, using same method, posing differnt vocations, he had
$1.3 millions with him.

Guess how old is he when he just started?

Only 16!! Smart guy.

Frank eventually got caught and sentenced to jail but he has a great guidance
-Carl. Carl appiled to the judge stating Frank is a genius to work for FBI.
True enough Frank accomplishment does not stop by tracking down forgers but also
design secure cheques for more than 500 companies till now.

In the DVD, the 50 years old plus Franke Abagnale Jr. was asked what's the greatest thing happened in his life.
I like his reply, he says is how his life has transformed from a juvillance
to where he is now. Not those moment where he is able to travel for free as
a pilot or earned money as a lawyer or doctor.



=D

Labels: Biography Movies