I am pleased to be able to afford you
a glimpse of geisha of yesteryear through the
courtesy of Philbert Ono, collector of vintage
postcards in Tokyo, Japan

Mr. Ono has graciously consented
to lend his marvelous collection of geisha and
maiko images to our ryokan and we are happy
to offer them for your inspection.

These cards were printed between the 1890's
and 1939 and are but a sample of the wonderful
items to be found in Mr. Ono's gallery,
a mere "click" away from our own inn.

You are cordially invited to visit Mr. Ono's Tokyo
site and his address will be provided when
you reach the end of your stay here.
After recording your visit in our guest log,
a click on his site button, provided at the
bottom of that page, will transport you to
his nostalgic images of days past.

Geisha striking a classic pose in front of an ochaya.
Their geta clogs are for rainy weather.

Patriotic, smiling maiko brought cheer
to the Emperor's troops in the 1930's.

A real-photo postcard dated 1939,
sent as military mail.

Autographed on the front by the two geisha pictured,
several other geisha signed the back.

This popular Yokohama model appeared on many
postcards of the 1890's and was nicknamed
"Laughing Geisha" or "Smiley Girl."

"Laughing Geisha" attired in cowboy hat and boots.

Maiko relaxing in her room reading a magazine.

Maiko standing on Gojo bridge in Kyoto in a
not so classic pose with rumpled kimino
and poorly positioned feet.

Geisha applying a white cosmetic
to the back of her neck.

~ BACK ~ ~NEXT~