Toward the end of February 2021, I heard that the popular geiko Toshiemi san was about to retire. This was surprising news about one of the most popular Geiko of the Miyagawa-Cho Kagai. I promptly asked around and received confirmation of her decision to leave.
I was then lucky to be able to arrange for the last photoshoot with her. This took place on the 2nd of March, the day she actually retired.
Geiko Toshiemi was wearing a beautiful pink kimono. I asked her to select herself the dance she would perform and she suggested: “Kyo no Shiki” (the four seasons of Kyoto). That was a perfect choice because of the numerous positions absolutely perfect for photography in this dance. She offers us an amazing performance that was easily one of the best we had the chance to watch. I consider this an amazing present she offered us.
Toshiemi san comes from Tokyo and arrived in Kyoto seven years ago, starting as a shikomi in 2014. Her misedashi took place in February 2015 and her erikae in November 2019. She’ll be sorely missed by a number of people, both in Japan and abroad. I wish her the very best in her future endeavors.
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