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Popular Culture Review
dedicated fans follow individual geisha/geiko and maiko through their
daily round of appearances. They also avidly follow collar turning
ceremonies when maiko become full-fledged geiko and when
geisha/geiko retire from the profession.
For collectors, kimono or other attire worn by geisha and maiko
are among the most eagerly sought after items on eBay, Etsy or online
kimono sites. Hikizuri and susohiki, the long trailing kimono worn by
maiko, elaborate obi and other items of geisha attire often sell for
hundred or even thousands of dollars. Collectors search eBay and other
online kimono vendors and often share beautiful or unusual listings with
follow collectors on Facebook, Pintrest and other social media.
Inspired by interest in a variety of disciplines including history,
religion, and philosophy, traditional Japanese arts such as Ikebana or
flower arranging, bonsai, and Chanoyu (the way of tea) have gained both
a popular and academic following. The tea ceremony is closely related to
many aspects of Japanese culture, including food, art, architecture,
calligraphy and even clothing.^^ According to Andrew Cobbing, the tea
ceremony or Chanoyu is considered to be the epitome of Japanese taste
and is usually based upon an aesthetic of tranquility, harmony, and
simplicity. It embodies the pursuit of minimalism, eliminating
unnecessary decoration and paring everything down to its most basic
form.^® Although not required, many students of Chanoyu will regularly
practice in kimono because many of the movements are designed with
the motion of the kimono and its sleeves in mind. Kimono sleeves and
obi often function like pockets and hold items necessary for the
ceremony. A long time student of the Chanoyu explains:
Kimono instructs physical movement for both
men and women in the temae (procedures). In
order to have a good understanding of
movement in the tea ceremony, e.g. walking,
bowing, picking up objects and moving them to
a new location—one should ideally wear
kimono regularly during practice, which also
means that one should regularly practice
wearing kimono (Holly Harvey, Email
communication, January 13, 2013).
For a formal tea ceremony, both the host and guests wear kimono or
formal Western attire. It is appropriate for guests to wear conservative or