Fukagawa no Yuki (深川の雪, “Snow in Fukagawa”) is one of the most well-known paintings that is able to provide a vivid image of what does Tatsumi geisha and their kimonos look like. This precious piece of art was painted by a Japanese ukiyo-e artist – Kitagawa Utamaro. It depicts a temporary geisha house in Fukagawa with the theme snow. Several styles and...
Author: Sayuki (Sayuki )
Kiyosumi Shirakawa Kimono Rentals – Fukagawa Kimono Salon
If you’re interested in renting a kimono, Fukagawa Kimono Salon is the place you want to go. We’ll set you up in a kimono that’s just right for you. There’s nothing quite like slipping on some attractive Japanese garb and experiencing traditional Japanese culture in Kiyosumi Shirakawa/ Fukagawa, where so much castle town flavor endures....
Fukagawa Geisha Kimono
Also known as the haori geishas, the Fukagawa geishas wore haori over their plain kimonos. These geishas specifically preferred to wear chic colors such as dark blue and gray. There are two parts that the Fukagawa geishas created and both are related to the obi. The first one is called the “obi-makura” and its roles...
Dressing: Maiko vs. Geisha
Getting ready for work involves hours of preparation for a Geisha. One of the functions of the distinctive appearance of a geisha is that it serves as a way to tell the difference between a maiko and a geisha and between a child geisha and an adult geisha. You can tell a lot about a geisha just by...
Fukagawa and Geisha Kimono
The Kimono is one of the most important attire of geisha. Kimono has changed a lot since the 17th century. The quality of Kimono’s fabric and design represents the characteristics and the taste of the wearer who chooses Kimonos based on the nature of the occasion. This is because Kimono flexibly changes according to wearer’s...
Fukagawa Hotels
The above is a map of hotels nearby the Fukagawa region. The Share Hotels: Lyuro (#1 on map) The biggest feature of Lyuro is that it is right beside Sumidagawa, which has deep connections with Fukagawa geisha culture. In this hotel, there is a “River Terrace”(かわてらす), which is a multi-purpose area where both guests and non-guests can enjoy the river...
Where to enjoy Hanami in Fukagawa
The best timing to enjoy “hanami,” or to enjoy cherry blossoms, is the “Oedo Fukagawa Sakura Matsuri” (大江戸深川さくらまつり). It is held annually for approximately two weeks from late-March to early-April; in 2017, it was held from March 25 to April 9. The main focus of this festival is watching cherry blossoms from boats, flowing down...
Interview with Marimo Oneesan
Interview on Dec 16, 2017 When did you start being a trainee? Went to Tokyo in 1963 Why did you become a geisha? To pay off family’s debt Why did you choose the Fukagawa district? Marimo Oneesan came from 九州, kiushu. After she graduated from high school, she wanted to go a place where she...
Lumber Industry in Fukagawa – Koto City
Currently, Koto City where Fukagawa is located is famous for its significant aspects of location with a rich waterfront and lush greenery. Pursuing the ideology of “omotenashi” and promoting preservation of environments, Koto city once was a prospered lumber industry centered location during Edo era. Facing Tokyo Bay with Sumida and Arakawa Rivers, such waterways...
The Fukagawa Hachimangu Incident
On December 8, 2017, within the shrine grounds of Fukagawa Hachimangu, four men and women were murdered or injured within shrine grounds, including chief priest Nagako Tomioka. One of the murderer was Nagako’s younger brother named Shigenaga Tomioka, who committed suicide after killing his partner-in-crime. Numerous survival knives and Japanese katanas were found in the crime scene....