Today after school, a small announcement was released to the town just as the school dismissal bells rang. “Good Afternoon Karakura, today after school please feel free to join us at the Plaza stage for a Traditional Geisha Performance! I hope to see a crowd there.” Soon after that, the Plaza stage began to fill with an audience to watch the performance.
For those who do not know, a geisha is a traditional Japanese entertainer, primarily a woman, specialized in traditional Japanese arts and is known for her refined mannerisms and beautiful attire. For their training, they have learned different Japanese arts, including dance, music, poetry, and sometimes calligraphy. Their role is often called upon to entertain guests at banquets, meals, and other events, such as the one today. Their appearance is quite distinctive, with white makeup, elaborate hairstyles, and beautiful kimonos.
For today’s performance, we had 'Chōchō'. She was elegantly dressed in a stunning kimono, adorned with intricate floral patterns in shades of red and gold. The kimono was complemented by an obi (sash) that cinched her waist, featuring hand-painted depictions of cranes that symbolized longevity and good fortune. Her hair was styled in a traditional manner, adorned with combs and kanzashi that could catch the light around her. As she stepped out onto the stage, she prepared a dance that she had prepared hours perfecting for this event. She would present a beautifully crafted shamisen, gracefully playing it towards the crowd as her performance was elegant yet never subtle. The gentle yet beautiful music captured the eyes of the crowd, her skill captivating with his melodic strumming. As she played, she began to incorporate her graceful movements, swaying with the rhythm of the music. As the music slowly came to a stop, she would smile towards the crowd, thanking them for their attendance before bowing as some flowers would be placed on the stage towards her.
We thank 'Chōchō' for her performance, as it has all graced us with just a mere bit of the traditions that the mainland still keeps on until this day. I personally, will be excited to next see her perform, and I am sure others will agree as well.
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