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Russel Wong in Kyoto premieres photographs from the celebrity photographer’s 13-year-long, ongoing personal project to document the geiko of Kyoto, shedding light on some of the rarely seen and lesser-known traditions of this private community and their place in modern society. Russel Wong in Kyoto was extended till 10 April 2022 by popular demand — displaying 37 additional black and white prints and several new colour images from the photographer’s ongoing personal project to document the geisha community of Kyoto.
Extended by popular demand!
ACM's expanded Russel Wong in Kyoto displays 37 additional black and white prints and several new colour images from the photographer’s ongoing personal project to document the geisha community of Kyoto. This new selection sheds further light on rarely seen and lesser-known traditions of this private community. The images tell stories of traditional and contemporary Japan, revealing how one often merges into the other.
Over 70 black-and-white photographs illustrate customs and traditions of geishas – called "geiko" in Kyoto. The tea ceremony, dance, dressing up, and the lesser known Erikae ceremony, a two-week process where a maiko (geiko in training) prepares herself to become a geiko, are explored. The extension of this special exhibition allows visitors another chance to dive deeper into Kyoto’s culture, and celebrates Russel Wong’s gift of all the photographs in the show to ACM and the Singapore National Collection.
Higashiyama ward, Kyoto 2011 Archival pigment print on photo rag 2011
The many new prints on display include one showing the practice of ohaguro (teeth blackening) with kanemizu solution, an old Japanese tradition that signifies a coming of age. Here, Geiko Sayaka sports ohaguro during her Erikae ceremony.
Photo courtesy of Russel Wong
Kamigyō ward, Kyoto Archival pigment print on photo rag 2011
This is Geiko Katsukiyo, who was recognised as the oldest geiko in Kyoto at the time of this photo. She passed away in 2016 at the age of 88. She was famous for her skill at classical dance and playing the shamisen.
Kita ward, Kyoto Archival pigment print on photo rag 2017
Shoden-ji is a temple of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism, one of three sects of Zen in Japan. It was established in 1268 and has a beautiful view of Mt Hiei, which rises to the northeast of the city.
In this video, take a glimpse into Russel Wong’s 13 year-long photographic journey in Kyoto.
This is a virtual tour of thINK: Chinese Calligraphy, Connoisseurship, and Collecting, an exhibition on display at ACM from 23 Dec 2020 to 25 Apr 2021.
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