Moving Kimonos

Featuring Geisha . Tamasaburo Kabuki . Wisteria Maiden . Maiko . Kyoto . Fan Dance . Senju . Kimono

Japanese Theatre Performers : Geisha perform in both Kabuki and Noh Theatre, but are more common in Noh Theatre. The difference between the two is that Noh Theatre uses masks and more acting, while Kabuki Theatre involves more dancing, and rhythm.

UNESCO : Important characteristics of Kabuki theatre include its particular music, costumes, stage devices and props as well as specific plays, language and acting styles, such as the mie, in which the actor holds a characteristic pose to establish his character.

mp3.com : The Ensemble Nipponia was formed in 1964 and is dedicated to the performance of traditional and contemporary commissioned work for traditional Japanese instruments. They have been touring all around the world.

New-York Times : Kabuki music is formal, reserved, stylized and may initially seem static to Western ears. Once one becomes accustomed to its rules and timbres, however, it is possible to discern a wide variety of expression within its perimeters

CD Baby : With the powerful rhythms of ensemble taiko music at its foundation, the On Ensemble (pronounced “ohn”) combines the musical and dance talents of its members into unique and provocative performance

Wikipedia : So-ran Bushi is one of the most famous traditional songs (min’yō) in Japan. It was originated by the fishermen of Hokkaidō, the north part of Japan. So-ran Bushi accompanies the bon dance in many parts of Japan, and it has its own dancing styles that date back generations.

Asian Art Mall : The word Geisha is derived from ‘Gei’, which in Japanese means performance or entertainer, and ‘sha’, which means person, and dates back 400 years ago to the ‘Edo’ period. During this time the Geisha entertained at banquets and social gatherings by playing a Japanese guitar (called a Shamisen), and singing and giving dance performances.

Geisha : Maiko are apprentice geisha (geiko). To my knowledge they are only found in Kyoto and are often used as the penultimate symbol of Japan. Maiko are a rare breed now, only several at any one time and confined primarily to the Gion and Pontocho districts.