Mamemitsu
I first met Mamemitsu a few months ago at an event. Until then I thought geisha only existed in Kyotoﾕs tourist traps, in TV dramas and of course, in my dreams! But there she was sitting right next to me in brilliant white makeup with crimson colored lips. I was the only gaijin present and I was literally mesmerized by her fairy-like presence. Sadly, the days of the geisha appear to be numbered. Their demanding lifestyle requiring hours upon hours of practicing traditional songs, dances, and shamisen are a heavy load. And then the real job begins in the evening. This month we spoke with Mamemitsu, one of the youngest geisha in Hakata and perhaps one of the last generation of geisha outside of Kyoto.
Nick Szasz / Editor-in-Chief
