Jun
11
Geisha
Posted on June 11, 2012
I was never a “Memoirs Of A Geisha” fan (too inaccurate/strange) but Zhang Ziyi is undoubtedly gorgeous. The same could be said about this fantastic design by graphic designer Valeria Moreiro (which is way more accurate). It’s amazing that she put this together, and the results are amazing. Definitely check out the rest of the collection or her many other beautiful works.
S U N D A Y S
love!
http://oppositelipstick.blogspot.be/
Thank you as always! ^3^
Love,
Aya
Beautiful!
Isn’t it?! Thank you! :)
Love,
Aya
Wow,that really is gorgeous…. I’ll have to go check out her collection! :) To bad “Memoirs Of A Geisha” was not a little more accurate. It would have been an amazing movie at that point.
I agree! They should have taken that extra step to make a timeless piece.
Love,
Aya
I came into watching “Memoirs” knowing there was inaccuracies, but I still loved the movie. He wasn’t trying to make a documentary; in fact, if you watch any of the “Making of..” special features from the 2-disc version, he explicitly states this numerous times. He took an artistic approach to the geisha, which I admired. It allowed more freedom with the costumes (which is key with describing the characters) and the hairpieces. They had an onsite geisha (the only American one at the time) and I believe one of the geisha dancing teachers. The sheer amount of detail Marshall paid attention to was amazing. I found the movie completely amazing.
This is beautiful (and I wish it came in English, so I could read what it all said! I bet it’s fantastic!)
Thank you for your comment! :) Don’t get me wrong – the movie IS good, I enjoyed it quite a bit. However, it is also embarrassingly and unnecessarily inaccurate and my issue was more with the movie than with the book… at least the book was written by a one American with an obvious flare for fantasy and I couldn’t blame one author for a strange perception of a foreign culture. But I would think that a vast crew of professionals would have kept certain details a bit more realistic. Being (part) Japanese, it’s easy to feel critical (not to mention confused) – especially when people I have spoken to during the release of this movie thought it was more accurate than it is. For instance, kimono is such huge aspect of Japanese history, it’s a little confusing why they would streamline the clothing for the sake of aesthetics, when authentic kimono is truly gorgeous as is. I have a list of other details I could complain about, but its not really a big deal.. I was just disappointed with the depiction of Japanese culture, geisha and clothing when America doesn’t have a firm understanding of the country/history and movies like this only mold their minds to have a further “off” idea.
Much love!
Aya
I think you should see the “Making of” features. They actually put the girls in actual kimono and did the whole procedure of what a geisha would wear everyday (they just montaged it.) What they did do is make some of the graphics bigger on the kimono. I know it’s not that big of a relief, but I think it might make it a little less easier to be less critical? Maybe? I think it’s hard to separate yourself from a movie, but sometimes that’s what you have to do, y’know?
I can completely understand your point of view though, trust me. Autism is so vast and different, but everyone has the idea it’s like Rain Man. Hello? I’m NOT Rain Man. I’m the furthest thing from him. Rain Man was an Autistic Savant. Savants are, like, super duper rare. People never believe I’m autistic because they have Rain Man stuck their head. Do you know how much I hate that movie? I haven’t even seen it and I can’t tell you how much I hate it. Autism comes in many forms, and I just happen to be a high functioning one. I can do just about everything but socialize. I don’t like doing it. I wish there was a big blockbuster movie showing all forms of Autism, but there isn’t! It’s pretty frustrating!
haha, I see this is going towards a direction of a never-ending debate fast! :P Oh, I should reiterate that I actually DID enjoy the movie from the standpoint of a “movie”. It was very visual and sadly romantic, which makes for an interesting emotional roller coaster. I actually did see the making of, which only disappointed me more to find out they went so far down the unrealistic route on purpose. Believe me, the kimono are far more unrealistic than the print.. They were slenderized and made to be more “fitted” as well. They had fear Americans couldn’t relate to the bulkiness of authentic kimono, or the foreignness of the actual geisha hairstyles, culture and lifestyles. The movie is so unrealistic, that I think it defeats itself a little. Just like you said, like The Rainman, it gives people a strange perception. That is my only point, I just think it is a strange thing to do in this era. I mean, it’s only a step up from when they cast Caucasians as the roles of Asians and taped their eyes to slant back in the 50s, filmed it in LA and had all of the women acting totally sub-servant and bowing more than they spoke. LOVE those movies, but embarrassed the whole way through watching them! lol :)
Speaking of The Rainman, I totally relate to that too. My brother is Autistic :)
Love,
Aya
Oh, okay. I sometimes need things explained in 5 year old speak, so I get it now. I didn’t read all of the book on how the movie was made (um, looked at the pictures. That was picture fest!) I don’t know a lot about kimono, because most of my love of Japan actually materializes itself in the Re-ment miniature items (especially all the dog ones), artwork and manga (I’ve spend a good hunk of money on manga. I’ve stopped thinking about how much I spend on the habit.)
Yes, I kind of don’t like Rainman. If I ever suggest a movie, I normally says Autism: the Musical from HBO as it’s a documentary. My mom cried because she thought it was such a great, intimate portrait of Autism, and all of the great endings. Me? I was like, “Here’s the tissues. Go ahead.” Temple Grandin is another good movie, which is about a famous psychologist who has Autism (my mom loves Grandin’s books.)
I loved memoirs of a geisha, and this illustration is stunning ! =]
Thank you!! :)
Love,
Aya
I just thought it was interesting that they chose a girl who looks so Chinese to play a Japanese role. I had a hard time with it. I’ve seen a few of her films in Chinese films and loved her in them, but not in this. :(
My best friend is obsessed with the movie and she watches it over and over again. I find geisha life to be really sad that they found quality in a girl in which they sell at a high prize to be deflowered. :: sigh :: It is like how in Japan today there is the problem with subsidized dating where the old men buy clothes and things for girls who are in high school and they start going on dates with them and eventually sleep with them for a high price. Terrible.
The whole Geisha lifestyle and culture is WAAY off in this movie, I can’t even express that enough. Contrary to popular belief, Geisha are NOT prostitutes. The word Geisha literally means “art” or “artist”, they were simple performers and entertainers. They did not sleep with their clients unless is was a special circumstance that did not pertain to their lifestyle or job. It was an honor to be a Geisha, and still is. Yet another thing America has misconstrued and now so many people have strange ideas of. Sad.
Love,
Aya