w
anderlust
JAPAN
There is a Japanese folk tale about two
frogs – one from Osaka and one from
Kyoto – who wanted to see what the other’s
city looked like. They met at the top of a
mountain that lay between the two cities.
“I have an idea,” said one frog. “If we
stand on our back legs and look over each
other’s shoulders we will be able to see
our destinations from this summit.”
So the two frogs stood up with their arms
on each other’s shoulders, but because
their eyes were on the top of their heads
and facing backwards, all they saw was
where they had come from. “But Osaka
looks exactly like Kyoto!” said the frog from
Kyoto, and the other agreed vice versa.
The punch line is even funnier if you
know that Osaka and Kyoto, while only 50
kilometres apart, are very different. Osaka
is a modern and bustling seaside city, while
inland Kyoto is a sleepier, traditional town.
In Kyoto you can immerse yourself in the
rich history and culture of Japan, through
eras of divine Emperors, jostling shogun
warlords, fiercely loyal samurai and waves
of noble dynasties. One of the most
alluring traditions is that of the geisha,
the mesmerising hostesses who entertain
guests at certain venues and functions.
Interestingly, in Kyoto a geisha is known
as a geiko – but the girls in this image are
neither geisha nor geiko, they are in fact
maiko. Maiko are young trainee geishas,
and we can tell them apart by their
unpainted top lip, natural hair and – as in
this image – red collar and long, draping
obi (belt) at the back.
This is but one of many cultural intricacies
in a land where ancient and often complex
tradition is still part of everyday life. Keep
your eyes wide open when you go.
Q
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