#kikunoi

[jasmine7031]

Kikunoi Honten

It was a brilliant kaiseki cuisine from a long-established Kyoto restaurant. As this is a May dish, it is garnished with irises.

[dasistleeway]

these are beyond instant noodles, certainly the best ones I've eaten...

[geimei]

A vintage picture of Kikunoi-furisode-tayū (菊の井) showing off her elaborate obi and uchikake, and her tayū-wareshinobu hairstyle; 1920s. In this picture, Kikunoi was not a fully-fledged Tayū yet, but was soon to become one.

Source: Blue Ruin 1 on Flickr

[maghoulover]

[onejamtart]

The Most Legendary 3-Michelin Star Restaurant in Japan

Peace, JW

[geimaiko]

Portraits Of Tayuu

Kikunoi

As a Furisode, perfectly tied obi to show if its stunning dragon motif.

Both lips painted? Or merely a shadow...

Splendid Furisode Uchikake, a testament to her wealth and prosperity

Kikunoi was one of the original postcard model Tayuu at the dawn of 20th century Japanoiserie. Probably she was put forward by her associates in the Shimabara as she was considered perfectly beautiful with her round face, her mirror features, her motionless expression. And sadly one can only imagine what personality laid hidden behind her otherworldly pin up image.

One extremely interesting inclusion into her collection of photos, i find the colored picture: The colorist thought it appropriate to redraw her lipstick to fit a more western beauty standard. The second picture from above, showing her regally sitting down like a queen on a throne, draws some shadows on her upper lip, hinting that maybe they did paint both lips, but it could be a shadow indeed. I tend to believe it is the latter case. Shimabara’s Tayuu, in stark contrast to Kyoto’s Geiko, went entirely unphased by western influences. They never adopted the Taisho Roman look, they never wore their hair in yohatsu, they never adapted to modern tastes, they became a relic incredibly quickly. Like a dinosaur, destined to be gasped at by open mouthed visitors of a museum.

Kikunoi means “Well of Chrysanthemums” and the well-part of her myoseki was recycled again and again in the Shimabara. How can such an utilitarian thing like a humble water well be considered an appropriate symbol for a noble Tayuu? The story of Okiko comes to mind: Okiko was a beautiful servant of a Samurai who refused her masters advances and drowned herself in a well, coming back to haunt it. This story is recounted in different manners with varying settings and Okiku often takes on other roles and titles. A relation to a Tayuu who may have refused her patrons on a regular basis, making her even more desired and intriguing? Maybe. Her story is always told for her, as is often the case for historic Tayuu. We will never know but we can admire her silent grace through photos, they represent a very strange era for the Tayuu indeed and Kikunoi was one of them.

Sources: Blue Ruin1 on Flickr / Pinimg / Blue Ruin1 on Flickr / Blue Ruin1 on Flickr / Pinimg

[utuwatokurashi]

#菊乃井 さん お椀の写真を撮り忘れました😅 大好きな日月💕 #デザート の冷やし汁粉 も、白木耳入り 上品な甘さで美味しかった〜😃 #kikunoi #akasaka #tokyo #japan #washoku #和食 #instagood #instaspring

[utuwatokurashi]

#菊乃井 さんのお弁当 お祝いで、#お赤飯 と #おなます この器はテンションあがりますね。 #kikunoi #akasaka #tokyo #japan #osekihan #instagood