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Published: September 27th 2008
I'm writing this from a regular train the Marine Liner 35, in the Green (or First Class) car. Not sure how I got put in first class but I'm not complaining. All it really means is nicer seats, but even regular isn't that bad. It's also a double decker car with me on the lower level which is kinda neat. Heading towards Shikoku Island.
I spent yesterday chillin out in Kyoto, a city renowned for it's history and geisha quarters. I set out to see two places here. The first is a museum, however in it's previous life it was the Sumiya Pleasure House, which is as bad as it sounds. During it's peak during the Edo period (1600-1867) this area flourished with over 20 enormous
ageya's or "floating world" halls. Here artists, writers, and statesmen would be wined and dined by the finest Geisha's in Japan. This is the type of world no outsider Gaijin like me would ever see... and as it is will never see. I looked all over for where it was supposed to be but if it was there, it's well hidden still. Oh well.
The next stop was very un-Kyoto ish, the Kyoto
Nishi Hongan-ji Edge
Very powerful temple, the headquarters for Jodo Shin-shu (True Pure Land) International Museum of Manga. This converted elementary school houses over 300,000 works of Manga, or Japanese comics for lack of a better word. However unlike Americanized comics these are geared for all ages, groups, and genders. It's quite common to see a businessman or woman on the train reading a thick manga book. unfortunately pictures are not allowed for copyright reasons, but it was a nice little place setup almost like a library. The oldest manga on hand was from the 12th century, and up through the years including some interesting looking WW2 era propaganda works which put Americans in a light similar to how the Japanese were viewed back in America, aka not very nice.
After that I headed out to the Gion district (stopping at a manga cafe to upload yesterday's post) and checked out the surroundings. If your going to see any Geisha's or Maiko's this is where it'll happen. The area is beautifully done up, and still houses exclusive restaurants and businesses that any white man will never see. An evening spent watching a Geisha perform musical art, charming banter, and tea serving could cost $3000 or more. Although I didn't see a Geisha, I
Nishi Hongan-ji Entrance
Tokugawa Ieyasu saw this as a threat so created a break away faction in 1602. did spot a younger Maiko or Geisha-in-training, but didn't have a chance to get my camera out in time.
I took quite a few pictures, including a few of people here. Such as some Kimono wearing women, some monks heading toward the Shinkansen train, a picture of people waiting to take pictures of Geishas, and a couple of younger Japanese girls with their trademark "peace sign" they use for having their picture taken.
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Rod
non-member comment
So, pictures not allowed at the Manga Museum, but you couldn't help yourself? :P