JAPAN AND MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA

Interest in Japan is expected to escalate in 2006 after the release of the film adaptation of Memoirs of a Geisha, the multi million selling book by Arthur Golden. The film is directed by Rob Marshall (Chicago) and is produced by Steven Spielberg. The cast includes stars
such as Ziyi Zhang (Hero; Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), Michelle Yeoh (Tomorrow Never Dies; Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), Ken Watanabe (Batman Begins; The Last Samurai) and Gong Li (Farewell My Concubine).

Memoirs of a Geisha is the story a young girl in 1930’s and 1940’s Japan and her journey from life as a child in a fishing village to become one of the most celebrated geisha in the country. Set in this mysterious exotic world, which still casts a potent spell today, the story begins in the years before WWII when a penniless Japanese child is torn from her family to work as a maid in a geisha house. Despite a treacherous rival who nearly breaks her spirit, the girl blossoms into the legendary geisha Sayuri (Zhang).

Beautiful and accomplished, Sayuri captivates the most powerful men of her day, but is haunted by her secret love for the one man who is out of her reach(Watanabe). Memoirs of a Geisha will be released in UK and Denmark on 13 January 2006, Netherlands on 2 February, Norway and Finland on 17 February. Those in Sweden will get an earlier chance to see it with a
release date of 25 December 2005.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple (Pure Water Temple)

Kiyomizu-dera is one of the most celebrated temples of Japan. The temple stands in the wooded hills of eastern Kyoto and offers visitors a nice view over the city from its famous wooden terrace. Below the terrace, you can taste the spring water which gives the temple its name. The water falls in three streams and it is said that each stream will bring you luck in love,
wealth or health depending on which you drink.The problem is you must choose only one!
Behind Kiyomizu-dera’s main hall stands Jishu Shrine, in front of the shrine are two rocks several meters from each other. It is believed that if you walk successfully from one rock to the other with your eyes closed your love will be fulfilled.

Arashiyama - Bamboo Forests Fushimi Inari Shrine
Founded in 711 the shrine was built as a dedication to the god of rice and sake. The entire shrine complex is composed of five shines spread out over the wooded slopes of Mt.Inari. Here can be found the 4kmlong tunnel of torii (red shinto gates) which creates a striking image in the film. Also along the way are stone foxes, considered sacred messengers to Inari, the god of cereal grains.

JET - SETTING in Kyoto

People inspired to visit Japan after seeing Memoirs of a Geisha can visit many of the locations used in the film in Kyoto. Locations featured in the film include Yoshimine-dera Temple, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Fushimi Inari Shrine, the bamboo forest in Arashiyama, the geisha district of Gion and Heian Jingu Shrine. New Hollywood Film Set in Japan On the outskirts of Kyoto is the Arashiyama district,literally meaning the forested mountain. Amongst the
forest lie temples, cafes and shops. You can take a boat trip from the station along the Hozu-gawa River to Arashiyama for the best view of the mountains.
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What are Maiko & Geisha?

Geisha are professional female entertainers who perform Japanese arts; the name literally translates as ‘arts person’. The name ‘geisha’ originates from Tokyo but in Kyoto dialect they are called ‘geiko’. Maiko are apprentice geisha, which literally translates as
‘dancing child’. Differences in appearance make it easier to tell maiko and geisha apart. Maiko wear more make up have much more elaborate clothing and hair ornaments and wooden clogs (okobo). A geisha will have a white collar, which will be given at her debut as a geisha the ceremony is called erikae, which translates as the changing of the collar. Becoming a geisha is now entirely voluntary. A maiko starts her training when she is sixteen and has finished
secondary school. Maiko must train for 4 - 5 years before becoming a geisha. The training will consist of: Japanese ancient dance, singing, playing instruments, flower arranging, wearing kimono, tea ceremony, calligraphy, conversation, alcohol serving manners and more.
Geisha and maiko mainly live in Japan’s ancient capital Kyoto. In Kyoto there are five hanamachi, which translates as ‘flower towns’. These are: Gion Kobu, Gion Higashi, Miyagawa-cho, Kamishichiken and Pontocho. Most have origins that date back to the Edo period (1603-1868), a long era of peace, flourishing culture and raising merchant prosperity. Geisha are usually hired to attend parties and gatherings, traditionally at tea houses (ochaya) or at traditional Japanese restaurants (ryotei). Their time is measured in incense sticks, and is called senkodai (incense stick fee) or gyokudai (jewel fee). Geisha numbers peaked in the early 19th century when there were around 700 teahouses and over 3,000 geisha in the Gion hanamachi. Today there are estimated to be less than 200 geisha and around 50 maiko in Kyoto.
The number of geisha and the number of traditional teahouses have declined in recent years. Although this means that there are fewer opportunities than ever to visit traditional geisha teahouses, there have been increasing efforts to support this Kyoto tradition by making it more available. The Hotel Granvia Kyoto is now offering guests the unique opportunity of spending an evening at a traditional teahouse, or ochaya, in the Miyagawa-cho district of Kyoto. Here, guests will not only bewelcomed into a world of traditional Japan rarely seen by outsiders, but they will also enjoy an elegant Kyoto-style kaiseki dinner with entertainment provided by geisha.
The hotel is also offering guests and visitors the chance to enjoy an evening of traditional Kyoto
teahouse entertainment at the hotel’s elegant 6th floor Japanese guesthouse, Shiokouji Rakusui. Guestshere will not only enjoy a full evening of geisha entertainment, but also a beautifully prepared andpresented kaiseki meal.

Hotel Granvia Geisha Teahouse Experience
Kyoto’s famed geisha teahouses have historically been closed to all but those with regular connections,or those introduced through private channels. Thus,the public in general and foreign visitors in particular,rarely have had the opportunity to enjoy the artistic performances of geisha, or ozashiki asobi, in the traditional intimate settings of teahouses.

Jaltour is offering a five night Memoirs of a Geisha inspired tour of Japan including three nights in Kyoto and two nights in Tokyo from £940 per person based on two people sharing, including flights on Japan Airlines. Also, included is a ride on Japan's famous bullet train and a Japanese cultural tour of the ancient Capital of Kyoto (April to November 2006) or Kyoto full day tour (January to March 2006 & December 2006), home to the celebrated geisha and where the
film Memoirs of a Geisha is set. This is the perfect tour for people inspired by the film to visit Japan.

The new Mandarin Oriental Luxury Hotel in Tokyo isdue to open 2 December 2005. The new hotel willoccupy the top nine floors and part of the lower atriumof the new 38-storey Nihonbashi Mutsui Tower building,as well as the fourth floor of the adjacent 76-year
historic Mitsui Honkan. The new building complexhas been designed by the internationally renownedarchitect, Cesar Pelli.

For More details and information on Holidays in Japan contact Select World Travel on 01684 577007 or enquiries@selectworldtravel.co.uk