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40 great vintage Geisha Photos

Feb 5, 2010 | 90 feedbacks »

Today we almost cannot think about traveling somewhere without taking photos, with more or less sophisticated cameras or at least with the mobile phone…

A hundred years ago however, when the first westerners started visiting Japan, only a handful of people had the necessary equipment for taking photos, so the visitors were buying photos taken by local photographers.

TWO GEISHA IN A 'RICKSHAW --- A Hurried Print from T. ENAMI'S Studio in Old 1890s JAPAN
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba

One of the local photographers was T. Enami, on his real name Enami Nobukuni, whose studio was located in Yokohama, on one of the best known commercial venues of the time, Benten-dori.

For the westerner tourist of the time, Japan meant Mount Fuji, sakura, rickshaws, girls in kimono and Geisha. But… that also true for most of the today’s tourists… :)
Anyway, that’s why the huge majority of Japanese vintage photos are centered around these themes.

From the great collection of T. Enami vintage photos available on Flickr, I picked a selection of 40 great Geisha photos. I hope you’ll like them:

TWO GUYS, A DOG, AND A GEISHA in OLD JAPAN
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba

GEISHA'S REPOSE -- A Quiet Day in a Japanese Park
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba
Geisha Under Pine
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba
Geisha at the Flower Show - Yokohama
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba
Geisha Looking at Stereoviews - Close Variant (Can't Get Enough of that 3-D !)
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba
MAIKO WATCHING DUCKS
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba
Geisha in the Park
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba
GEISHA OUT FOR A STROLL -- Three Big Brothers with Little Sister
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba
THREE OLD KIMONOS - Geisha in A Garden Of Meiji-era Japan
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba
GEISHA ON VERANDA OVER POND
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba
GEISHA IN A JAPANESE FLOWER GARDEN -- Kimonos and Blossoms Merge into One
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba
GEISHA AND MAIKO -- A Study in Kimonos and Relationships in Old Japan
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba
SLOPPY GEISHA GIRLS SPILL SOY SAUCE ON STUDIO MATS WHILE EATING LUNCH (Just look at those Brown stains)
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba
COOLIES CARRY GEISHA IN A KAGO -- The Mountain Taxi of Old Japan
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba
THREE GEISHA POSING IN ENAMI'S YOKOHAMA STUDIO
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba
THE GEISHA
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba
GEISHA'S DAY OFF -- Original B & W Version
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba
GEISHA VIEWING FLOWERS in OLD YOKOHAMA
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba
TWO YOUNG GEISHA AT A FLOWER SHOW in OLD YOKOHAMA, JAPAN
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba
THREE GEISHA RESTING IN THE HORIKIRI IRIS GARDENS in OLD TOKYO, JAPAN
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba
TWO MAIKO IN THE GENKYU GARDENS OF HIKONE --- Near KYOTO in OLD JAPAN
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba
A SQUATTING GEISHA and her ATTENDANT at a PRIVATE GARDEN in OLD YOKOHAMA, JAPAN
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba
GEISHA UNDER THE MAPLE TREES OF KUSATSU TEA-HOUSE GARDEN in OLD JAPAN
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba
TWO GEISHA AND THEIR WATER-LOGGED GHOSTS IN THE HORIKIRI IRIS GARDENS of OLD TOKYO, JAPAN
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba
GEISHA ON A BRIDGE OVER THE POND OF FUGETSU GARDEN in OLD JAPAN
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba
GEISHA IN AN AZALEA GARDEN IN HIBIYA PARK -- Near The Imperial Hotel in Old TOKYO, JAPAN
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba
TEA-HOUSE GEISHA in the FUGETSU GARDENS of OLD JAPAN
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba
A MAIKO WATCHS HER SISTERS TAKING A BOAT RIDE IN THE GARDENS OF HIKONE -- NEAR KYOTO in OLD JAPAN
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba
THREE GEISHA ON THE GROUNDS OF HIKONE PARK near OLD KYOTO, JAPAN
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba
GEISHA IN THE GARDENS OF HIBIYA PARK -- Near The Imperial Hotel in Old TOKYO, JAPAN
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba
THREE GEISHA and a LITTLE GIRL BY THE POND in HIKONE PARK NEAR OLD KYOTO, JAPAN
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba
STANDING AND SQUATTING -- Two Geisha on a Sea of Fallen Cherry Blossoms in Old TOKYO, JAPAN
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba
STANDING AND SQUATTING --- Two Geisha in HIKONE PARK
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba
A SQUATTING GEISHA PRAYS TO THE GODS
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba
T. ENAMI GLASS TRANSPARENCY PANEL FROM A TABLE-TOP LAMP -- Geisha Under a Wisteria Trellis in Old Japan 藤
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba
A GEISHA SERANADES HER SISTER UNDER THE PINES in OLD JAPAN
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba
PRACTICING THE LATEST J-POP TUNES in OLD JAPAN
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba
A MAIKO AND HER KOTO -- Practicing under the Watchful Eye of a Geisha in OLD JAPAN
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba
LITTLE MISS HANGYOKU -- A Newly Born Geisha on Her Way in OLD JAPAN
Creative Commons License photo credit: Okinawa Soba

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icon romab
tweeted:
Vintage Geisha photos. [link]
04/08/12 @ 23:09
icon STYLEnANGST
tweeted:
40 Great Vintage Photos of Geishas [link] #art #photography #japan
03/30/12 @ 08:31
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40 Great Vintage Photos of Geishas [link] via @Muzachan
10/22/11 @ 08:47
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rt @penelopephoto 40 Great Vintage Photos of Geishas [link] #japan #vintage #history #photography #art
08/16/11 @ 14:53
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40 Great Vintage Photos of Geishas [link] #japan #vintage #history #photography #photos via @penelopephoto
08/16/11 @ 14:51
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40 Great Vintage Photos of Geishas [link] #japan #vintage #history #photography #art
08/16/11 @ 14:49
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RT @JustDiii: 40 Great Vintage Photos of Geishas [link] via @Muzachan
07/10/11 @ 10:57
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40 Great Vintage Photos of Geishas [link] via @Muzachan
07/10/11 @ 08:47
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40 Great Vintage Photos of Geishas [link] via @Muzachan #japan #giesha #japanese #photography #vintage #art RT @penelopephoto
07/05/11 @ 19:06
icon Peepsqueak
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40 Great Vintage Photos of Geishas [link] via @Muzachan #japan #giesha #japanese #photography #vintage #art RT @penelopephoto
07/03/11 @ 22:07
icon ToshioK
tweeted:
RT @penelopephoto: 40 Great Vintage Photos of Geishas [link] via @Muzachan #japan #giesha #japanese #photography #vintage #art
07/03/11 @ 15:22
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tweeted:
40 Great Vintage Photos of Geishas [link] via @Muzachan #japan #giesha #japanese #photography #vintage #art via @penelopephoto
07/03/11 @ 14:55
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40 Great Vintage Photos of Geishas [link] via @Muzachan #japan #giesha #japanese #photography #vintage #art
07/03/11 @ 14:53
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40 Great Vintage Photos of Geishas [link]via @Muzachan
02/06/11 @ 22:37
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tweeted:
40 Great Vintage Photos of Geishas [link] via @Muzachan
12/20/10 @ 16:31
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40 Great Vintage Photos of Geishas [link] via @Muzachan
12/20/10 @ 01:55
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tweeted:
40 Great Vintage Photos of Geishas [link] (via @Muzachan) Interesting old #photography
12/19/10 @ 15:23
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tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: 40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link]
04/20/10 @ 15:18
 ARCHERYANDZEN · http://archeryandzen.blogspot.com
I love looking at your pictures. Bye Alex
02/20/10 @ 11:27
 miguel nonay · http://www.asaltodemata.com
A beautiful photos.


www.asaltodemata.com
02/19/10 @ 21:21
 santi flores · http://santifloresfoto.blogspot.com/
Preciosas fotos!!!
Un saludo desde Spain!
02/18/10 @ 17:48
icon Futureratti
tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: 40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link] Predicting the next spring fashion inspiration.
02/15/10 @ 21:30
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tweeted:
40 great vintage Geisha Photos #Muza-chan'sGatetoJapan [link]
02/13/10 @ 04:44
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RT @Jankovitch: 40 Great Vintage Photos of Geishas ~ [link]
02/10/10 @ 09:35
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RT @Jankovitch: 40 Great Vintage Photos of Geishas ~ [link]
02/10/10 @ 09:09
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RT @HenryStradford: RT @Jankovitch: 40 Great Vintage Photos of Geishas ~ [link]
02/10/10 @ 09:08
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RT @Jankovitch: 40 Great Vintage Photos of Geishas ~ [link]
02/10/10 @ 09:07
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40 Great Vintage Photos of Geishas ~ [link]
02/10/10 @ 09:06
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RT @LuciF: 40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link]
02/09/10 @ 14:00
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tweeted:
RT @LuciF: 40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link]
02/09/10 @ 13:56
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tweeted:
40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link] via @muzachan #Japan
02/08/10 @ 16:11
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RT @LuciF 40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link]
02/08/10 @ 12:52
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RT @LuciF: 40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link]
02/08/10 @ 11:36
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RT @RainerGS: 40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link] via @LuciF #photography
02/08/10 @ 11:11
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tweeted:
RT @LuciF: 40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link]
02/08/10 @ 11:09
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tweeted:
40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link] via @LuciF #photography
02/08/10 @ 10:58
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RT @LuciF: 40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link]
02/08/10 @ 10:55
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tweeted:
RT @LuciF: 40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link]
02/08/10 @ 10:51
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tweeted:
40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link]
02/08/10 @ 10:50
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tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: 40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link]
02/07/10 @ 19:39
 cloudia · http://comfortspiral.blogspot.com
Riches!

Arrigato Gozaimau & Aloha, Friend!


02/06/10 @ 22:03
 freedomwv · http://www.theghostletters.blogspot.com
While many of these photos were taken for the purpose of selling them to tourist, they still provide a look into old Japan. It may not have been exactly like it seems in the photos, but it is interesting all the same.
02/06/10 @ 15:14
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tweeted:
RT @photoasia: 40 great vintage Geisha Photos - [link] rt @retrostock_nl @Muzachan
02/06/10 @ 13:48
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40 great vintage Geisha Photos - [link] rt @retrostock_nl @Muzachan
02/06/10 @ 13:15
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RT @Muzachan: 40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link]
02/06/10 @ 08:20
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tweeted:
Love these. RT @ajep 40 great vintage Geisha Photos: [link]
02/06/10 @ 08:17
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40 great vintage Geisha Photos: [link]
02/06/10 @ 08:09
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RT @Muzachan: 40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link]
02/06/10 @ 04:43
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RT @asiaimages: RT @Muzachan 40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link] 1WOW
02/06/10 @ 02:43
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RT @Muzachan 40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link]
02/06/10 @ 02:42
icon SalVidali
tweeted:
@Muzachan sepia photos especially nice - my fav is the geisha looking at stereo pictures . . . kokkui
02/06/10 @ 02:34
 Carmen Henesy Email · http://www.rnsane.blogspot.con
What a delight to see these vintage pictures of lovely geisha in their exquisite kimonos! It was a chance to see the Japan of yesteryear. Thanks so much for the experience.
02/05/10 @ 22:44
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tweeted:
RT @purplehayz: 40 great vintage Geisha photos (#Japan) [link]
02/05/10 @ 22:19
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tweeted:
40 great vintage Geisha photos (#Japan) [link]
02/05/10 @ 22:16
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tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: 40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link] STunning!!!
02/05/10 @ 22:15
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RT @Muzachan: 40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link]
02/05/10 @ 20:19
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RT @Muzachan: 40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link]
02/05/10 @ 19:13
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RT @Muzachan: 40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link]
02/05/10 @ 18:49
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tweeted:
40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link] @Muzachan
02/05/10 @ 18:33
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tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: 40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link]
02/05/10 @ 18:09
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RT @BlogLinkJapan: 40 great vintage Geisha Photos: [link] #JBlogs
02/05/10 @ 17:58
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tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: 40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link]
02/05/10 @ 17:43
icon PhotoJorge
tweeted:
40 Great Vintage Geisha Photos [link]
02/05/10 @ 17:40
 Louis · http://lasamurai.blogspot.com
Sugoii!!!
02/05/10 @ 17:27
icon giancarlodrago
tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: 40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link]
02/05/10 @ 17:22
icon Wanpeirui
tweeted:
RT @Muzachan 40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link]
02/05/10 @ 17:16
icon coelho
tweeted:
RT @brunanovo: 40 fotos de Geishas tradicionais: [link]
02/05/10 @ 17:12
 Austin Otaku · http://www.austinotaku.com
Excellent post, Muza-chan. I love these historical photos.
02/05/10 @ 17:02
icon brunanovo
tweeted:
40 fotos de Geishas tradicionais: [link]
02/05/10 @ 16:52
icon francescapeach
tweeted:
perchè in fondo vorrei un kimono RT @BlogLinkJapan: 40 great vintage Geisha Photos: [link] #JBlogs
02/05/10 @ 16:49
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tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: 40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link]
02/05/10 @ 16:47
icon BlogLinkJapan
tweeted:
40 great vintage Geisha Photos: [link] #JBlogs
02/05/10 @ 16:44
icon IH39
tweeted:
WOW!! RT @Muzachan 40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link]
02/05/10 @ 15:51
 SK · http://greatviet.blogspot.com
Nice images of geisha !
02/05/10 @ 15:44
icon paulrus
tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: 40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link]
02/05/10 @ 15:31
icon djosum
tweeted:
Such great color on these RT @Muzachan: 40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link]
02/05/10 @ 15:23
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tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: 40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link]
02/05/10 @ 15:21
icon MadonnaDP
tweeted:
charming as usual RT @Muzachan 40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link]
02/05/10 @ 15:20
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tweeted:
40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link]
02/05/10 @ 15:12
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02/05/10 @ 15:08
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#Japan #photos #cool (!!) - RT: @Muzachan: 40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link]
02/05/10 @ 15:07
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RT @Muzachan: 40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link]
02/05/10 @ 15:06
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RT @Muzachan: 40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link]
02/05/10 @ 15:04
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RT @Muzachan 40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link] Very nice Muzachan!
02/05/10 @ 15:03
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RT @Muzachan: 40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link]
02/05/10 @ 15:02
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RT @cwylie0: 40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link] (via @Muzachan)
02/05/10 @ 15:00
icon vandenboomen
tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: 40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link] - Wow, these are amazing pictures! The real memoirs of a Geisha
02/05/10 @ 14:57
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40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link] (via @Muzachan)
02/05/10 @ 14:57
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RT @Muzachan: 40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link]
02/05/10 @ 14:56
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RT @Muzachan: 40 great vintage Geisha Photos [link]
02/05/10 @ 14:54