A Perfect Guide to Geisha Dance Performance

2017.07.18

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Ai Kazeki

Originally from Tokyo, but lived in France and Switzerland before. Traveled over many European countries. Now a university student in Kyoto. Completely addicted to Kyoto.

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A Perfect Guide to Geisha Dance Performance - 2017/07/18
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Kyoto Geisha Dance

Dance is one of the most important performances Geisha do at Ozashiki.

To an ordinary person, it might be difficult to tell the difference between the dances.

Have you ever wondered what the moves mean, what they represent?

Or were you worried that you do not know much about it before seeing the dance?

Don’t worry, this article will be a complete guide for you to enjoy Geisha dance thoroughly!

Contents

■The Four Main Dances (songs)
■Information
■References

■The Four Main Dances (songs)

There are four famous songs performed by Geisha in Kyoto.

They are called Gion Kouta, Kyo no Shiki, Washi ga Zaisho, and Miyagawa Ondo.

They each have different meanings and the impression you get differ from one to another.

I will explain each dance and what the moves mean below.

■Gion Kouta （祇園小唄）

This song is the most famous and typical song for Geisha dance performance.

There are many words that describe places and scenery in Kyoto, such as Higashiyama, Gion, and Daimonji (verse 2) in the lyrics.

There are also words related to Geisha, which are furisode, dararino obi and kuchibeni (verse 2).

Dararino obi is a special way of tying obi for Geisha, like the photo below.

Lyrics (verse 1)

月はおぼろに東山

Tsuki wa oboro ni Higashiyama

Geisha is expressing the moon with her hands.

霞む夜毎のかがり火に

Kasumu yo mai no kagaribi ni

夢もいざよう紅桜

Yume mo izayou benizakura

しのぶ思いを振袖に

Shinobu omoi wo furisode ni

Geisha is holding her sleeves to express “furisode”, which are the sleeves of kimono.

祇園恋しやだらりの帯よ

Gion koishi ya dararino obi yo

■Kyo no Shiki （京の四季）

This song mainly focuses on Gion and surrounding areas, Higashiyama and Maruyama.

It is a very Kyoto like, calm and elegant song.

Lyrics (verse 1)

春は花

Haru wa hana

いざ見にでんせ東山

Iza mini dense Higashiyama

色香あらそう夜桜や

Irokou arasou yozakura ya

浮かれ浮かれて

Ukare ukare te

The literal meaning here is floating and floating.

Geisha is expressing the moves with her fan.

粋も無粋もものがたい

Iki mo busui mo monogatai

二本差しても柔らこう

Nihon sashitemo yawarakou

祇園豆腐の二軒茶屋

Gion doufu no Nigenchaya

みそぎぞ夏はうち連れて

Misogizo Natsu wa uchi turete

川原につどう夕涼み

Kawara ni tudou Yu suzumi

よいよいよいよい

Yoiyoi yoiyoi

よいやさ

Yoiyasa

■Washi ga Zaisho （わしが在所）

This is a country song. It expresses the life at the countryside, mainly the events and customs.

It is a simple and natural song.

In the dance, you can see the charming moves of Geisha.

Lyrics (verse 1)

わしが在所は京の田舎の片ほとり

Wahsi ga zaisho wa Kyo no inaka no hotori

八瀬や大原に牛曳いて

Yase ya Oohara ni ushi hiite

柴打盤床机頭へちょいと載せ

Shibauchiban shougiatama e choito nose

In this line it is saying, putting a shibauchiban on the top of a shougiatama (small table).

Geisha is making a gesture of it in the dance.

梯子買わんせんかいな

Hashigo kawasenkaina

In this line it is saying, why don’t you buy a ladder.

The Geisha is expressing a woman looking for someone that would buy one.

黒木買わしゃんせエエエエ

Kurogi kawashanse e e e e

■Miyagawa Ondo （宮川音頭）

This is a very bright and gorgeous song, often danced at the very end.

It expresses the specialties and delicious meals of Kyoto.

Lyrics (verse 1)

町も野山も花ざかり

Machi mo noyama mo hanazakari

京の都に春が来た

Kyo no miyako ni haru ga kita

花の都に春が来た

Hana no miyako ni haru ga kita

花は宮川花は宮川

Hana wa Miyagawa Hana wa Miyagawa

ヨーイヨーイヨイ京おどり

Yo-i yo-i yoi Kyo odori

In the second verse, there are many words to do with specialties of Kyoto.

To make it easier, I have underlined them and put a brief explanation of what it is.

Lyrics (verse 2)

国へみやげは都紅

Kuni e miyage wa miyakobeni (precious lipstick)

納豆八つ橋みすや針

Natto (fermented soybeans) yatsuhashi (cinnamon flavored traditional dessert of Kyoto) misuyabari (sewing needles)

すぐきしばづけ五色豆

Suguki (fermented pickles) shibazuke (vegetable picked in red shiso leaves) goshikimame (five-colored roasted sweet beans)

みやげばなしはみやげばなしは

Miyage banashi wa miyage banashi wa

ヨーイヨーイヨイ京おどり

Yo-i yo-i yoi kyo odori

It is saying that there are many specialties to get as a souvenir in Kyoto, but they hope that the best souvenir is the experience of seeing the dance!