 Last additions - Tokyo Geisha 東京の芸者 |
The dance consisted of four numbers. The first one was called Sara Sanban-so (晒三番叟) which was first performed in Edo in Nov. 1755. 宝暦５年Oct 31, 2008
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Name cards of all 49 Asakusa geisha.Oct 31, 2008
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A hand towel with the names of all the current Asakusa geisha was selling for 1,500 yen. They also had T-shirts.Oct 31, 2008
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Name cards of all the geisha were sold for 100 yen apiece.Oct 31, 2008
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The 2nd floor had a booth selling Asakusa geisha souvenirs. The dance program was 1,000 yen.Oct 31, 2008
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A side attraction was a tea session (ocha-seki) performed and served by two geisha (or hangyoku). It cost 700 yen for tea and sweets. お茶席Oct 31, 2008
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Stairway to the hall.Oct 31, 2008
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Hall lobby (Get that trash bin outta there.)Oct 31, 2008
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Reception table backed by a board listing various corporate sponsors. I attended the final show on Oct. 29, 2008 at 3 pm.Oct 31, 2008
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Asakusa Odori flyer/poster. Two shows (11:30 am and 3 pm) were performed on both days, for a total of four shows. Tickets cost 6,500 yen for reserved seats and 2,000 yen for non-reserved on the 3rd floor.Oct 31, 2008
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Entrance to Asakusa Kokaido and Asakusa Odori sign. In the 1950s, there were 550 geisha in Asakusa. Now there are only about 49 geisha in Asakusa. Not all of them appeared in the Asakusa Odori. The Asaji-kai dance was renamed Asakusa Odori in 1995.Oct 31, 2008
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Asakusa Odori banner in front of Asakusa Kokaido. The 1st Asakusa Odori (called Asaji-kai 浅茅会) was held in 1950 for four days at the old Sumida Gekijo Hall. It was held annually until 1956. After that, it was held every 2 years or less often.Oct 31, 2008
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Asakusa Kokaido Hall in Asakusa, Tokyo, venue of the 23rd Asakusa Odori geisha dance held on Oct. 28-29, 2008. It has been seven years since the last time the Asakusa Odori was held in April 2001. 浅草公会度Oct 31, 2008
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Bravo!Apr 20, 2007
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ClogsApr 20, 2007
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The name of her teahouse was Matsubaya which was the last teahouse in the Yoshiwara district.Apr 20, 2007
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Apr 20, 2007
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She put her clogs again and completed her return trip.Apr 20, 2007
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Her attendants keep her steady as she changes her footwear.Apr 20, 2007
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Before crossing the busy intersection, oiran takes off her clogs to wear normal slippers.Apr 20, 2007
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Oiran Dochu procession, TokyoApr 20, 2007
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Apr 20, 2007
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The procession passes by Ichiyo sakura trees.Apr 20, 2007
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KamuroApr 20, 2007
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Oiran Dochu procession, TokyoApr 20, 2007
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I can only wonder how much this kimono costs.Apr 20, 2007
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Apr 20, 2007
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Apr 20, 2007
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Apr 20, 2007
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After the oiran show, the Oiran Dochu procession is held again for the return trip from 3 pm.Apr 20, 2007
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Oiran have their obi sash tied in the front instead of the back like geisha in Kyoto.Apr 20, 2007
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Apr 20, 2007
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Great showApr 20, 2007
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At the end of the oiran show, they posed for photographers.Apr 20, 2007
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Very colorful under the sun.Apr 20, 2007
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Spectacular kimonoApr 20, 2007
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Her obi sash is also very ornate.Apr 20, 2007
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Apr 20, 2007
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I was shooting like rapid-fire continuous mode.Apr 20, 2007
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Apr 20, 2007
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Apr 20, 2007
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Oiran dances with her kamuro attendantsApr 20, 2007
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Apr 20, 2007
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Back viewApr 20, 2007
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Apr 20, 2007
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Apr 20, 2007
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Oiran dances.Apr 20, 2007
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Her customer smokes the pipe.Apr 20, 2007
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Lighting a tobacco pipe. (Real smoke)Apr 20, 2007
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The gold folding screen, koto music, and dance made it a real visual treat.Apr 20, 2007
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Apr 20, 2007
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Apr 20, 2007
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Oiran drinks sake.Apr 20, 2007
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Apr 20, 2007
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Oiran and her attendants then performed a short but spectacular oiran show on the stage from about 2 pm. おいらんショーApr 20, 2007
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Apr 20, 2007
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おいらんショーApr 20, 2007
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The procession nears the main stage where the procession ends.Apr 20, 2007
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The oiran in clear view near the stage.Apr 20, 2007
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Apr 20, 2007
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They pose in front of the stage and bowed before going backstage.Apr 20, 2007
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Apr 20, 2007
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Four ladies in waiting called shinzo, follow the oiran. They are future oiran. 振袖新造Apr 20, 2007
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Apr 20, 2007
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Apr 20, 2007
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The Oiran Dochu procession proceeds slowly along the Ichiyo cherry-lined street.Apr 20, 2007
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Apr 20, 2007
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Oiran Dochu procession, Ichiyo Sakura Festuval, Tokyo. Her obi sash is tied in the front in a knot called manaita-musubi.Apr 20, 2007
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Elaborate oiran wig weighing about 7 kg or 15 pounds.Apr 20, 2007
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Unlike normal kimono, she wears the obi sashi in the front instead of the back. This is so that she can show off her beautiful obi which would otherwise be covered by the uchikake outer garment.Apr 20, 2007
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花魁道中Apr 20, 2007
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Oiran. Her wig and geta clogs weigh the same (about 7 kg or 15 pounds each) to keep her head and feet balanced. Her whole outfit weighs about 60 pounds (27 kg). That's why she needs his shoulder for support as she walks. 花魁Apr 20, 2007
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A large crowd line the narrow street.Apr 20, 2007
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Oiran Dochu procession, Ichiyo Sakura Festuval, TokyoApr 20, 2007
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Baton holderApr 20, 2007
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The kamuro attendants precede the oiran.Apr 20, 2007
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Head of the Edo-Yoshiwara Oiran Dochu procession which started at 1:30 pm. 江戸吉原おいらん道中Apr 20, 2007
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The procession is headed by tekomai geisha who sing.Apr 20, 2007
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At the starting point of the procession, the oiran gets ready to wear her high and heavy wooden clogs.Apr 20, 2007
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Close-up of Ichiyo sakura cherry blossoms. "Ichiyo" means "one leaf." You can see that the flower actually has a small green leaf inside. 一葉桜Apr 20, 2007
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Ichiyo sakura cherry blossom trees line the street where the Oiran Dochu procession will proceed. 一葉桜Apr 20, 2007
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The star and main focus of the festival and procession, the oiran or tayu courtesan.Apr 20, 2007
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Festival banner. The Ichiyo Sakura Festival is held in April along the main Komatsu-bashi-dori street lined with Ichiyo cherry blossoms. These photos were taken on April 14, 2007. 小松橋通りApr 20, 2007
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Entrance to the Ichiyo Sakura Matsuri festival site on Komatsu-bashi-dori near Asakusa, behind Sensoji temple. 第5回浅草観音うら 一葉桜まつり 小松橋通りApr 20, 2007
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The festival lasts all day long, from morning until late afternoon. Incudes a flea market. 小松橋通りApr 20, 2007
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Stage entertainment held on one end of the street. 街角ステージ 第5回浅草観音うら 一葉桜まつりApr 20, 2007
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Oct 19, 2006
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Oct 19, 2006
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Oct 19, 2006
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Oct 19, 2006
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Oct 19, 2006
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Oct 19, 2006
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Oct 19, 2006
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Oct 19, 2006
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Oct 19, 2006
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Oct 19, 2006
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They carry a red paper lantern imprinted with their names and use their right hand to drag along a metal wand.Oct 19, 2006
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During the finale, the tekomai and Kiba Kiyari singers sing together.Sep 09, 2006
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Sep 09, 2006
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Sep 09, 2006
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Sep 09, 2006
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They only chant, no dancing.Sep 09, 2006
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Tomioka Hachiman tekomai geishaSep 09, 2006
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Tomioka Hachiman tekomai geishaSep 09, 2006
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Sep 09, 2006
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Their right shoulder is "exposed" to show a peony flower design. Also see the video at YouTube.Sep 09, 2006
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They perform in mid-Oct. on the same day and place as Kiba Kakunori log rolling.Sep 09, 2006
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Tomioka Hachiman Tekomai geisha perform at Kiba Park.Sep 09, 2006
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Tekomai geisha from Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine walk toward the stage.Sep 09, 2006
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2. Hitozato ひと里Apr 09, 2006
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(Applause)Apr 09, 2006
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Facing the right in thanks...Apr 09, 2006
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ArigatoApr 09, 2006
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7. Sawagi さわぎApr 09, 2006
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Tossing free hand towels to the audience, a real crowd pleaser...They do this every year. Most people sitting in the front can catch one.Apr 09, 2006
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With okami-sanApr 09, 2006
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7. Sawagi さわぎThe finale where all the geisha appear on stage.Apr 09, 2006
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7. Sawagi さわぎApr 09, 2006
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6. Hahha Kudoki ハッハくどきApr 09, 2006
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Apr 09, 2006
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6. Hahha Kudoki ハッハくどきApr 09, 2006
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6. Hahha Kudoki ハッハくどきApr 09, 2006
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7. Sawagi さわぎApr 09, 2006
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6. Hahha Kudoki ハッハくどきApr 09, 2006
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5. Otsu-e 大津絵眞由美 (Mayumi)Apr 09, 2006
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4. Sakura Kazashite 桜かざしてDancer 舞子 (Maiko)Apr 09, 2006
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6. Hahha Kudoki ハッハくどきApr 09, 2006
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4. Sakura Kazashite 桜かざしてDancers: 舞子、万り (Maiko and Mari)Apr 09, 2006
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3. 梅にも春 Ume ni mo HaruDancers: 千丸、史織Apr 09, 2006
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6. Hahha Kudoki ハッハくどきApr 09, 2006
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5. Otsu-e 大津絵眞由美Apr 09, 2006
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3. 梅にも春 Ume nimo HaruApr 09, 2006
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1. Kagurazakari 神楽ざかりApr 09, 2006
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2. Hitozato ひと里Apr 09, 2006
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3. 梅にも春 Ume nimo HaruOffering a drink of sake.Apr 09, 2006
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1. Kagurazakari 神楽ざかりApr 09, 2006
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1. Kagurazakari 神楽ざかりApr 09, 2006
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Singers and musiciansApr 09, 2006
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3. Edo no Nigiwai (Liveliness of Edo)After this dance was a 20-min. intermission.Apr 09, 2006
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Part 2 - 浴曲三味線草： 1. Kagurazakari 神楽ざかりApr 09, 2006
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Edo Scenes: 3. Edo no Nigiwai (Liveliness of Edo) 江戸の賑わいDancers: 竜也、英子、万りApr 09, 2006
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1. Kagurazakari 神楽ざかりApr 09, 2006
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2. Sumidagawa (Sumida River)Apr 09, 2006
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3. Edo no Nigiwai (Liveliness of Edo)Apr 09, 2006
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2. Sumidagawa (Sumida River)Apr 09, 2006
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1. Fuji Murasaki (Purple Wisteria)Apr 09, 2006
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1. Fuji Murasaki (Purple Wisteria)Apr 09, 2006
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3. Edo no Nigiwai (Liveliness of Edo)Apr 09, 2006
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Edo Scenes: 2. Sumidagawa (Sumida River)Solo dancer: 眞由美 (Mayumi)Apr 09, 2006
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1. Fuji Murasaki (Purple Wisteria)Dancer's name is Maiko 舞子Apr 09, 2006
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1. Fuji Murasaki (Purple Wisteria)Apr 09, 2006
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1. Fuji Murasaki (Purple Wisteria)Apr 09, 2006
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1. Fuji Murasaki (Purple Wisteria)Apr 09, 2006
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1. Fuji Murasaki (Purple Wisteria)Apr 09, 2006
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1. Fuji Murasaki (Purple Wisteria)Apr 09, 2006
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1. Fuji Murasaki (Purple Wisteria)Apr 09, 2006
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1. Fuji Murasaki (Purple Wisteria) by Kagurazaka geishaApr 09, 2006
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1. Fuji Murasaki (Purple Wisteria)Apr 09, 2006
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April 8, 2006 at Ushigome-Tansu Kumin Hall in Kagurazaka, TokyoStarting at 4 pm, this was the third and last show of the day and all 400 seats were sold out.
The performance had two parts separated by a 20-min. intermission. Each part had several different dances.Apr 09, 2006
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1. Fuji Murasaki (Purple Wisteria)Apr 09, 2006
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Part 1 - Edo Scenes (江戸風情): 1. Fuji Murasaki (Purple Wisteria) 藤むらさきDancers: 小奴、千佳、由良子、舞子Apr 09, 2006
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