Learning about Geiko & Maiko!~

Today's cultural activity we learned about Geiko and Maiko. We headed to the auditorium on Ritsumeikan's campus to view three women formally dressed in kimonos. 

*Note: "Geisha" is the term used in and around Tokyo, "Geiko" is used in and around Kyoto.

Geiko are traditional Japanese entertainers that perform several arts, such as dancing, singing, and playing instruments. Their main objective is entertain and keep parties lively. 

Geiko

Maiko (A) Front

Maiko (A) Back

Maiko (B) Front

 Maiko (B) Back

Played games like musical chairs!

It was a tie!

Making Japanese Sweets! (わがし) at Tsuruyayoshinobu

We made our own Japanese sweets (wagashi) today! We molded raw sweets (namagashi) with dry sweets (higashi) to make a finished mixed product of half-raw sweets (han-namagashi). Each of us had to make two floral deigned sweets by hand. Luckily, there were instructors at every table, helping us to make our "masterpieces" look edible. ｡ﾟ(TヮT)ﾟ｡

This great display is actually made out with wagashi! I was told that it can last about 2 years. (With humidifier present)

Afterwards, we got to eat them with complimentary おちゃ！

Wearing Yukatas & Gion Matsuri!~ ☆*゜ﾟ*\(^O^)/*゜ﾟ*☆

Gion Matsuri is one of the most popular festivals in Kyoto, Japan. The narrow streets are highly packed with natives and tourists, back-to-back food and clothing stands. The staff took us to "Kimono-PRO", a popular clothing boutique specializing in yukatas. At orientation, all of us filled out a survey listing our height in centimeters and the color we would like to wear. Most of the females listed for pastels like pink or blue. Majority of the males chose black or blue. 

(Heart of the festival)

(Our beatuiful Yukatas!~)

(At Teramachi)

(At Gion by the river)

(There were lots of great food!)

(In front of Kimono-PRO)

Kiyomizu Pottery Workshop at Mori Tokikan

For our culture activity today, we have made our own mugs, cups (what I chose) or bowls out of "Kiyomizu-yaki" (清水寺やき) clay. This clay traces back to the 5th Century which from that time evolved. We had many mentors on deck assisting all 40 of us mold and shape this rigid and cold clay. Truly this art is more difficult than it seems. 

We made our pieces during the first week of the program due to the fact the finalization process of heat and glazing the clay takes about 4 weeks. 

Furoshiki Wrapping Workshop (風呂敷) at Marumasu Nishimuraya

Furoshiki (風呂敷) is a man-made cloth (can come in any size) either made out of polyester, rayon, or silk. The purpose of furoshiki can vary between styling objects by wrapping around them for example wine bottles or carrying fruits, or covering tissue boxes for home decor. It's all up to the owner. Overall, furoshiki is highly convenient when needed! 風呂敷は便利ですよ！

During the workshop, most of my classmates struggled with the folds and knots but I managed. In West African culture, I am slightly familiar with wrapping styles using Kente cloth.

Sanjo Dori!~ (三条通り)

Good ole' Sanjo Dori! I love this area! Harbors a 24 Fresco food market, Drug Store, Park, an abundance for fresh farmed goods, and boutiques!

About 8 minutes towards the other end of this street reveals hidden family owned ramen shops and other accommodations of RSJP students! 

The locals are very welcoming with the biggest smiles and warmest hearts!

Going to Kinkakuji (金閣寺)

Also referred as the "Gold Pavilion", stand three stories tall, with a pyramid style roof. The original structure of Kinkakuji was destroyed by arson in 1950 then rebuilt in 1955. 

In person, the gold color was so vibrant that I couldn't look directly a it for too long. The sun reflected strongly off the color.