Becky FifieldMay 9, 20143 min readDon’t Confuse Geisha and Courtesans (Oiran and Tayu)Images of geisha and courtesans are often mislabeled. For those unfamiliar with subtleties in the styling and wear of kimono, obi, and...
Becky FifieldSep 9, 20122 min readGeisha and Maiko – Japanese Classical DanceRL Fifield performing Botan with Ichifujikai in 2006. My height earned me male roles, along with accompanying tummy padding under my...
Becky FifieldSep 1, 20121 min readWhose Sleeves? Tagasode ScreenThe garments draped over the racks in the golden scene depicted on this screen raise questions about the woman who left them there. The...
Becky FifieldJul 21, 20121 min readTaisho Era PostcardIn 2002, the MFA Boston acquired the Leonard Lauder large collection of Japanese postcards. The most thrilling images are Taisho...
Becky FifieldMay 12, 20123 min readIro Iro: My Brief Moment as a Japanese Classical DancerKimono? White makeup? Shamisen music? In New York City? I spent a few years as part of a semi-professional kabuki dance troupe here, as a...