blog

Sunday, August 9, 2015

Aquarium

An art exhibit is currently being held in Tokyo until September 12, 2015. It is one of a kind since it mainly features aquariums coupled with lights, producing a spectacular visual treat. Of course, an aquarium would not make any sense without the kingyo or goldfishes. The exhibition have a solid following since its conceptualization in 2011. I only heard about it this year though. How I wish my brother was here as he loves fishes more than I do.

dotsfishfish

Each aquarium is uniquely designed, lighted and decorated. The artists behind this exhibit are truly very creative. The exhibition hall is not that big thus giving the audience enough time to appreciate every art.

globebowlbowlaquarium 😜lightsbowlprism

While I enjoy the aquariums and the fishes, the highlight for me was the performance of a maiko. It was my first time to see a real maiko and watching her dance just a few feet away is more than what I have paid for a 1,500 yen entrance fee.
Apprentice geisha are called maiko (舞子 or 舞妓), (literally "dance child") or hangyoku (半玉), "half-jewel" (meaning that they are paid half of the wage of a full geisha), or by the more generic term o-shaku (御酌), literally "one who pours (alcohol)". The white make-up and elaborate kimono and hair of a maiko is the popular image held of geisha. more here

maikomaikomaikomaikomaikomaikobow

Parallelism Of A Display Fish and a Maiko 

in a confined world 
you swim through the laser beams 
a man-made kingdom 

in a confined world 
you dance to a shamisen 
a man-made goddess 

in a confined world 
you remain a mystery 
hidden identities 
behind the display of lights 
behind the chalky make-up 

/totomai 

Photos taken with Nikon D7000, 
lenses used : 
Nikkor 105mm 2.8f 
Nikkor Fish-eye 2.8f 

 /totomai 
2015/08/09
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51 comments:

  1. Sanaa RizviAugust 9, 2015 at 5:39 PM

    Such gorgeous pictures :D as always visiting your site is such a treat! Loved these lines:

    in a confined world
    you remain a mystery
    hidden identities

    Beautifully captured!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. totomaiAugust 9, 2015 at 11:21 PM

      Thanks Sanaa - photos can inspire me to write poems too haha

      Delete
  2. Rosemary Nissen-WadeAugust 9, 2015 at 5:55 PM

    Fascinating back story, spectacular photos and beautiful verses.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sumana RoyAugust 9, 2015 at 6:07 PM

    i like how you combined two haiku and a tanka in one whole...and really love how mystery remains a mystery despite so much display...

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    Replies
    1. totomaiAugust 9, 2015 at 11:23 PM

      We will never know their real identities behind the lights and the make-up. Thanks Sumana.

      Delete
  4. Old EggAugust 9, 2015 at 6:50 PM

    What a great post paralleling the entrapped fish with the geisha both unknowable behind the makeup or the glass tank.

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    Replies
    1. totomaiAugust 9, 2015 at 11:24 PM

      So true Robin - i really found the maiko mysterious -

      Delete
  5. Jae RoseAugust 9, 2015 at 6:57 PM

    What a beautiful post - the confined world of a goldfish bowl..my immediate thought was what does it look like when the lights are switched off and the audience goes home..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. totomaiAugust 9, 2015 at 11:25 PM

      They go back to "normal", Jae. Well, I believe so

      Delete
  6. brudbergAugust 9, 2015 at 8:09 PM

    Oh yes I see the parallel between the beauty of those confined fishes and those dancers.. Maybe even as a parable of women in a men's world would work..

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    1. totomaiAugust 9, 2015 at 11:26 PM

      That's why I was thinking their parallelism is the reason why a maiko performa during the aquarium exhibit

      Delete
  7. ScarletAugust 9, 2015 at 8:26 PM

    First, stunning aquarium photos and notes of maiko ~

    Both live in the confined world, yet we are dazzled by their mystery ~ Enjoyed the parallel imagery of fishes and young woman ~

    Thanks for the interesting post Totomai ~

    Grace

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    Replies
    1. totomaiAugust 9, 2015 at 11:27 PM

      Hi Grace - glad you liked what I was trying to show here. Hope you are doing fine there, Kabayan.

      Delete
  8. MaryAugust 9, 2015 at 8:41 PM

    What Stunning photographs, Totomai, and what a wonderful experience you had to see the aquarium and Maiko. I definitely see the parallel in your poem. Both are on display...in an unreal state...for the enjoyment of others. Though beautiful, I am kind of sad for all that swim or perform under the lights.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. totomaiAugust 9, 2015 at 11:29 PM

      I was really happy to get a ticket for the aquarium + maiko show. I went to the venue after work without eating but it was worth it.

      Thanks Mary :)

      Delete
  9. kaykualaAugust 9, 2015 at 10:11 PM

    There are so much to wonder on the young maiko. They obviously take their jobs with serious earnest. Fantastic pics totomai. Your sojourn in Japan opens up lots of new things for us bloggers on things Japanese. Thanks for sharing!

    Hank

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. totomaiAugust 9, 2015 at 11:31 PM

      Thanks Hank - I am fascinated with geisha and maiko and been chasing them for some years but no luck. So i grabbed the chance last time.

      My pleasure to share the culture of Japan / Japanese. In that way I and the rest of you can learn together

      Delete
  10. TruedessaAugust 9, 2015 at 11:28 PM

    Thank you for sharing these vibrant pictures. I have always found fish to be soothing. When I was younger I had a tropical aquarium in my bedroom. On nights I couldn't sleep I would watch them swim and I still remember when I saw the first neon babies.

    I think the fish and the dancer are both in an aquarium of sorts..everyone watching..but, can she really be free behind the chalked mask?

    Always wonderful to visit your blog.

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    Replies
    1. totomaiAugust 9, 2015 at 11:33 PM

      I think she can but without the make up we won't really know who she was.

      My brother is raising / breeding display fishes so I am getting used to it lol. But you are correct - they are soothing.

      Thanks Truedessa

      Delete
  11. Maude LynnAugust 10, 2015 at 12:29 AM

    Stunning shots!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Sherry Blue SkyAugust 10, 2015 at 12:37 AM

    Totomai, the vibrancy and colours of your photos are always a feast. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experiences. The acquarium photos are gorgeous and the maiko looks mysterious indeed. I resonate with Truedessa's observation that both fish and maiko, on display as they are, are both confined. A lovely post.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. totomaiAugust 10, 2015 at 7:43 AM

      Thanks Sherry - wish I can share regular posts though. Yeah - both are actually playing a role :)

      Delete
  13. Gillena CoxAugust 10, 2015 at 1:12 AM

    In a man made world
    You dance in a false freedom
    Did you know
    Miko so lovely
    Fish so pretty

    Have a nice Sunday Totomai, I'm happy you dropped in at my Sunday Lime today

    Much love...

    ReplyDelete
  14. C.C.August 10, 2015 at 2:57 AM

    Gorgeous photos and interesting parallel you depict in your poem :-)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Donna@LivingFromHappinessAugust 10, 2015 at 7:14 AM

    Wonderful how you combined both the fish and the maiko totomai...each confined in a special world....fabulous pictures, I especially loved the maiko images.....my husband would love the aquariums and fish.

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    1. totomaiAugust 10, 2015 at 7:46 AM

      I was also surprised with this kind of exhibit, Donna. i was hoping my brother was here to see it

      Delete
  16. Wendy BourkeAugust 10, 2015 at 8:56 AM

    Another spectacular post. And your poem: a vibrant, exotic word palette with thoughtful and thought provoking juxtapositions of images.

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    1. totomaiAugust 10, 2015 at 11:58 AM

      Thanks Wendy :) I feel they are in way similar thus. the poem

      Delete
  17. Marcoantonio Arellano (Nene)August 10, 2015 at 10:22 AM

    Wow! surreal and beautiful. this upends the norm of the visual mundane

    gracias

    ReplyDelete
  18. Matthew HenningsenAugust 10, 2015 at 1:00 PM

    Wonderful - the photos set the stage for the verse... and I like your take on it. It sheds a disconcerting light on it.

    ReplyDelete
  19. dsnake1August 10, 2015 at 6:04 PM

    in their confined world, both are objects of beauty to be admired. (and terribly expensive to keep. i heard prices for the top goldfishes can be insanely expensive.)
    a great poem to accompany your stunning photos.

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    1. totomaiAugust 11, 2015 at 7:48 AM

      Yup, dsnake. Sometimes, I don't understand why goldfish is so expensive. Watching maiko is expensive too.

      Delete
  20. AnonymousAugust 10, 2015 at 10:18 PM

    Gorgeous photos as usual and love the comparison of those two confined worlds.

    Elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
  21. Gen Giggles August 10, 2015 at 10:19 PM

    Beautiful poem capturing the world of both so well.

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    Replies
    1. totomaiAugust 11, 2015 at 7:49 AM

      I think it gets lonely at times - in a confined world. Thanks GL

      Delete
  22. Magaly GuerreroAugust 11, 2015 at 1:39 AM

    The photos are amazing, especially the last one--such detail. And your poem reflects all the mystery and beauty the images show... and gives them more life.

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    1. totomaiAugust 11, 2015 at 7:50 AM

      Both of the subjects gave me life too - to appreciate mysteries. Thanks Magaly

      Delete
  23. PanchaliAugust 11, 2015 at 2:20 AM

    Mind blowing....!! A rare chance to savour such elegance and power in nuanced writing. Beautiful verses...gorgeous pictures, Totomai!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. J.N.T.August 11, 2015 at 9:46 AM

    Hi Totomai, oh my! your photos drew me in like wow! you've won me over with your creativity. and the poem is brilliant. learned something new!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. humbirdAugust 16, 2015 at 8:30 AM

    I feel as I've been there...what a treat! A fish,kingyo, esp. at first photo - a poem by itself... They both sound for me in magic mysterious way closed for regular humans... Thank you, Totomai!

    ReplyDelete
  26. totomaiAugust 31, 2015 at 12:32 AM

    Thanks Loredana :)

    ReplyDelete

any thoughts to distill?

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