Century-old Tokyo geisha festival revives dying art

(Image: Caroline Gardin and Philip Fong)

Sun, 25 May 2025

By Caroline GARDINThe geishas glide with measured steps across a wooden stage, offering a glimpse of a long-misunderstood tradition that is becoming a rare sight in Japan.Dancing with paper fans and dressed in kimonos, the entertainers were rehearsing without the striking white make-up and sculpted hairstyles they are famous for.But for seven days from Wednesday, the women will perform in full splendour at the 100-year-old Azuma Odori festival at a theatre in the heart of the Japanese capital.'Most important art form'In the popular imag...

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