The Geisha, Nijiko danc the "Chou-no-michiyuki".

This dance is based on “Gidayu-u” of the same name.

Gidayu-u was an entertainment from the "Edo period". Which had it's own unique style.

The title “Chou-no-michiyuki” means “Journey of the butterflies”.

 This story is a tragic love story, a Japanese “Romeo and Juliet.”

A young couple was not to marry by their parents.

So, they both committed suicide.

The following spring, they were reborn as two butterflies, left to flutter happily amongst the ripe blossom in the spring fields. 

Nijiko wears a kimono for this dance. This Kimoto is decorated with butterflies.

In the following a picture, she in handing over a bundle of ripe blossom.

In Buddhism, death does not mean the end of the life. After death, we will be born again. But not necessarily as human being. Sometimes we will be reborn as a butterflies or .....   

Nijiko's face is painted white. This type of make up only used when  dancing on stage.

Usually, Geishas do not paint their faces white.

The butterflies displayed on the background of this page are from an old kimono pattern.