Post by Mariko Shimada on Jul 1, 2012 12:37:22 GMT -5
Mariko tuned the Shamisen carefully; listening to the tone of each of the three strings until she was satisfied they were tuned as near to perfect pitch as possible. Holding the bachi lightly in her right hand she paused and half-closed her eyes to allow herself to find her center. She then began her practice session. She played for an hour following the written music and redoing those sections where she felt less positive in her skill. After an hour she carefully lay the Shaminsen aside and went to the garden to water the flowers and have a cup of tea. Umeko followed her, dutifully assisting where she could. The young girl was proving to be an asset to the Okiya and she would be given more trust over time as her own skills improved. For now, however, she must content herself with running errands, shopping, cleaning and assisting Mariko with dressing.
After tea, Mariko returned to her Shamisen and continued practicing for another two hours. Her skill must be without flaw, for the Emperor could call upon her at anytime to entertain himself, his family or an honored guest. Only last week was her presence requested at the palace to entertain a guest of the ambassador to the mainland, the Honorable Takeamada. Mariko was surprised to find his guest was a woman. This was highly unusual and almost never occurred as women were very rarely granted access within the walls of the Okiya. But this was the Imperial Palace and home of the Emperor and such things could be overlooked.
Mariko committed herself to bring as much enjoyment and pleasure to the woman from the mainland as she would any other guest of the Emperor. Her duty was clear and her honor was never in doubt as she permitted the woman only the slightest glimpse into the world of the Geisha. That slight glimpse, however, was enough for the woman to understand the depth of pleasure one could reach within oneself and in the company of others when guided by one as skilled as Mariko. When the visit was ended, Mariko packed her instruments and returned to the Okiya escorted by several palace guards. Her duty performed she was assured by Ambassador Takeamada that her payment would be forthcoming.
Indeed, true to his word and being a man of honor, she received a sizable sum for her appearance. These monies she used for the upkeep of the Okiya and the feeding of herself and Umeko and to invest in additional Kimono’s of a higher quality. Some of the monies were, under her instructions, given to the poor of Zento, for it was unbecoming for one not to share their good fortune with those who were not as blessed by the gods as she had been.
Her practice session with the Shamisen over, she polished and wrapped the instrument in soft cloth before putting it in its lacquered case. Umeko knelt quietly in the corner of the stage watching each move Mariko made with rapt attention. One day, years from now, it would be Umeko who would be practicing the Shamisen while another Han’gyoku watched her and, in the watching; learned.
The afternoon was wearing into evening and Mariko instructed Umeko to prepare the evening meal of rice and boiled fish. Afterwards she would return to the stage where she would take up her wooden fans and spend several hours practicing the Noh Mai, unless, of course, a guest arrived at the front gates. Then her evening would be devoted to their entertainment. She would weave her skills into a tapestry of pleasure to help them forget the world outside the walls of the Okiya and, for a single evening, their troubles and tribulations. And, just as she was about to begin her practice of the Noh Mai, the bell at the front gate rang twice. Umeko scampered to the gate carrying a lantern with Mariko following at a respectful distance. Upon opening the gate and admitting the guest, Mariko and Umeko both knelt and bowed low showing great respect, for standing within the gates of the Okiya, was one of Mariko’s most honored guests;
The Princess Yoshi Shimakaze.
After tea, Mariko returned to her Shamisen and continued practicing for another two hours. Her skill must be without flaw, for the Emperor could call upon her at anytime to entertain himself, his family or an honored guest. Only last week was her presence requested at the palace to entertain a guest of the ambassador to the mainland, the Honorable Takeamada. Mariko was surprised to find his guest was a woman. This was highly unusual and almost never occurred as women were very rarely granted access within the walls of the Okiya. But this was the Imperial Palace and home of the Emperor and such things could be overlooked.
Mariko committed herself to bring as much enjoyment and pleasure to the woman from the mainland as she would any other guest of the Emperor. Her duty was clear and her honor was never in doubt as she permitted the woman only the slightest glimpse into the world of the Geisha. That slight glimpse, however, was enough for the woman to understand the depth of pleasure one could reach within oneself and in the company of others when guided by one as skilled as Mariko. When the visit was ended, Mariko packed her instruments and returned to the Okiya escorted by several palace guards. Her duty performed she was assured by Ambassador Takeamada that her payment would be forthcoming.
Indeed, true to his word and being a man of honor, she received a sizable sum for her appearance. These monies she used for the upkeep of the Okiya and the feeding of herself and Umeko and to invest in additional Kimono’s of a higher quality. Some of the monies were, under her instructions, given to the poor of Zento, for it was unbecoming for one not to share their good fortune with those who were not as blessed by the gods as she had been.
Her practice session with the Shamisen over, she polished and wrapped the instrument in soft cloth before putting it in its lacquered case. Umeko knelt quietly in the corner of the stage watching each move Mariko made with rapt attention. One day, years from now, it would be Umeko who would be practicing the Shamisen while another Han’gyoku watched her and, in the watching; learned.
The afternoon was wearing into evening and Mariko instructed Umeko to prepare the evening meal of rice and boiled fish. Afterwards she would return to the stage where she would take up her wooden fans and spend several hours practicing the Noh Mai, unless, of course, a guest arrived at the front gates. Then her evening would be devoted to their entertainment. She would weave her skills into a tapestry of pleasure to help them forget the world outside the walls of the Okiya and, for a single evening, their troubles and tribulations. And, just as she was about to begin her practice of the Noh Mai, the bell at the front gate rang twice. Umeko scampered to the gate carrying a lantern with Mariko following at a respectful distance. Upon opening the gate and admitting the guest, Mariko and Umeko both knelt and bowed low showing great respect, for standing within the gates of the Okiya, was one of Mariko’s most honored guests;
The Princess Yoshi Shimakaze.