A Glimpse of the elusive Geishas in Kyoto

Geishas are a rare sight in the hustling and bustling of major industrial and commercial Japanese cities like Osaka. One has to go to Kyoto to get a glimpse of the elusive and mysterious geisha.

Geisha (芸者), geiko (芸子) are professional entertainers skilled in traditional Japanese performance arts.

Since it is impolite to be seen pursuing and photographing geishas, I had to be discreet and keep a safe distance and be contented of whatever I could get.

I love this candid shot and proud that I have captured a special moment. The contrast between the old and the new, the soft pace of the geisha and swift cyclist.

For modern and curious women who want to experience a few minutes of being a geisha, there are two studios we saw along the way to  some Kyoto temples that offer costumes for hire and photography.