What’s In a Book? Part 34
Continuing on with the pile of new books comes one that has no language barrier restrictions to prevent it from being enjoyed by anyone!
Book’s cover courtesy of Amazon Japan. Utsuyaka: The Beauty of Maiko by Taka Kobayashi (小林鷹) (ISBN 978-4-8381-0556-4) Date of Publication: 2017 Language: English and Japanese Format: Softcover Availability: Can Be Found New Online Price: $50 New Errors: 0 Have you ever just wanted a book that has no fuss or facts but just features gorgeous images? Then this is the book for you! Minus an introduction and an index of the images in the back this book is completely text free and allows for the photography skills of Taka Kobayashi to shine through with his muse Kosen (小扇) of Hiroshimaya (廣島屋) in Gion Kobu. This photo adventure spans years from her time as a junior maiko all the way into her geiko stage, with even a look at her sakkō stage in between. It gorgeously shows off the many outfits that the Hiroshimaya owns along with various kanzashi, but the star here is the super model Kosen without a doubt. Her expressions and poses are masterful with each image conveying a new side of her growing maturity. There’s even a small section where Kosen’s hair is styled in traditional nihongami and she’s wearing actual dated kimono to recreate styles of both townswomen and town girls from the Edo Period. Overall it’s a bit short but worth it for the gorgeous kimono porn. My words can’t really do the images justice, so you’ll just have to check it out for yourself! Rating: ✪✪✪✪✪ (out of 5)