2. This documentary explores themes of tradition
in a changing economy through it’s use of
interview and dramatization and sheds light on
to this secretive profession.
Themes
3. Narrative
We are introduced to Yukina (later
Kikuyu) and to the difficult and
challenging world of the Maiko of
whom she hopes to become a part
of.
She seems to be doing well, but
reveals she feels alienated and
lonely without her family and is
worried about her exam to be
excepted into becoming a Geisha.
The loss of the tradition due to
Japan’s economic fall is also
discussed.
Conflict is resolved as Yukina passes
4. Camera Work
The use of the camera is fairly typical in this documentary, close-
ups are used during interviews, occasionally long shots to fully
show the custom of sitting or kneeling not using chairs. Focus is
drawn to the traditional make up and clothing that the Maiko wear
5. Most of the documentary is
filmed inside the Maiko house,
and so the backgrounds are
all very simple, a convention
of Japanese buildings, this
works in the favor of
filmmakers as the
backgrounds are all neutral so
as not to take away from the
subject and completely
Mise En Scene
6. Sound
Throughout the
documentary there
is diegetic and non-
diegetic Japanese
music being played,
this is important as
it is a key part of
the culture.
When Yukina’s
sister is talking
about being jealous
of her, western
pop/rock music is
played, which in
this society would
7. Archive Material
Mainly used as cutaways, the archive material here is
used to support what is being said if the filmmakers
were unable to capture the footage themselves.
8. The title for the documentary uses a script-
like font reflective of the traditional
Japanese writing. In the rest of the
documentary we see simple subtitles
translating what is being said.
Graphics
