Having the the basic information filled out, she decided to do the Maiko 3-shots plan. Some additional options like Puri-Kura photo stickers, postcards and laminated cards are electable upon arrival. When everthing's settled, she changed in a yukata for doing the maiko make-up. Yumekata's dressing staff also considerately prepared a blanket for Emilia because of the low temperature.
The maiko make-up is a magical process.
Before putting on the make-up, she has to:
1. wash off all the make-up on the face,
2. put on the "Habutae" head cover, and
3. blow nose and scratch face if anywhere itching.
Maiko's white foundation-putting started from the nape and spreaded to the front. Next, the red eye-shadow is putted on the end of the eyes, a signature mark of a maiko make-up. Subsequently, while the the diffcult-to-dry eyeliner was being drawn Emilia had to close her eyes until the eyeliner is completely dried. The eyebrows are brown/red, the lips classic-red. Finally, carefully with the mascara on, the make-up was finished.
Came back to the dressing room, it took her quite a while to decide which kimono to dress up, because there are just too many beautiful ones! Emilia decided a celadon furisode piece, which the dresser described as an age-appropriate choice, a big sister among the little apprentices. (A Maiko is an apprentice of a Geisha, usually before the adulthood of age 20. Until all the skilled endeavored with perfection, a Maiko becomes a Geisha.)
The whole dressing process is very complicated. From the Hadagi (robe shape underwear), Han-eri (collar facing under a kimono) to the so-called Awase kimono, every layer is tied by the Himo strings under an extremely ornate Obi belt of two-layered Otaiko-musubi (way to tie the Obi belt) on the outermost Awase. Because the furisode is very long, the Awase draped to the ground had to be tied up by another Himo string before the photoshooting started. Had the kimonos been dressed up, it was time to put on the very heavy wig, adorned with hair accessory of yellow flowering.
When started shooting the photos, firstly the staff arranged the long Awase to make it lied smoothly on the ground. The photographer then directed Emilia the posing according to her choices. Actually, it did not take long for the photo shots, so there are plenty of time to take pictures by ourselves! I also took advantage of this assignment to take a few pictures with my good friend.
It did not take long to wait for the photos ready. Having taken all the costumes and the dramatic make-up off (and putting on the make up again), the finished works are handed to Emilia after some rest in the waiting room. She additionally ordered smaller-sized laminated cards in order to send to her parents and friends living in different cities, and the digital data by CD-R.
