The cherry blossom period is one of the best time of the years to visit Japan. Not only can you enjoy the marvelous sight of the thousands of flowers in bloom, but the temperature is also perfect (Japanese summer can be extremely hot and humid). If you want to combine the sakura season with a traditional Japanese festival featuring an Oiran Dochu parade you even have the chance to do this after the last sakura in Tokyo has fallen.

The Tsubame Sakura festival in Bunsui.  From the Tsubame Tourism Assoication

Japan is a country of some very distinct traditions, and one thing that might come to mind when thinking about this far-east country is the graceful Japanese courtesan ladies. That is especially the case for the Japanese Geisha, as these courtesans were made famous through the movie “Memoirs of a Geisha” from 2005. There are however another type of Japanese courtesan ladies that hold at least as much history as the Geisha, namely the Oiran (花魁). Some of you might be wondering what the difference is between an Oiran and a Geisha, and although they might appear similar at a first glance there are a few important things that sets them apart.

History

Although the Geisha are more well-known in Western countries the role and position of the two courtesans used to be very different. The Oiran tradition flourished back in the early Edo period (1600-1868), a time where they were seen as entertainers and superstars. The Geisha on the other hand were held in the background and dressed restraint in order for them to not be in competition with the Oiran, and the Oiran profession is thus in a sense the forerunner of the Geisha. The Oiran were educated women who were masters of a wide range of traditional arts, and highly respected for their profession. Back in the days a night with an Oiran would cost as much as one year’s salary for a commoner, but even if you could afford it the Oiran was still free to reject a customer if he was deemed unworthy. 

• All blogposts from the Tsubame Sakura Matsuri
• Elected as Oiran for the Tsubame Sakura Festival! 第74回 分水おいらん道中のおいらん役に！
• The Tsubame Sakura Matsuri: Cherry Blossom PR & Last Minute Preparations
• Behind the Scene of the Tsubame Sakura Matsuri Festival - The Oiran Dochu
• Geisha vs. Oiran: The Characteristics of the Japanese Courtesans
• Try it yourself: An Oiran (花魁) Costplay Experience in Japan
• All blogposts about Festivals

みんなさん、一つご報告あります。昨日新潟県燕市で行われましたある二次審査に参加させて頂きました。そこで平成28年4月17日のつばめ桜祭り「第74回 分水おいらん道中」で桜太夫のおいらん役として選ばせて頂きました。外国人のおいらん役は歴代初だそうで大変光栄に思います。みんなさん、当日ご都合宜しければ是非見に来てください♪(*^^)

Yesterday I had the honor of getting elected for a position as an Oiran at the Tsubame Sakura Festival in Niigata scheduled to take place on the 17th of April. Among 64 applicants we were three girls who ended up with a position as Oiran in the parade, and in the 74 year long history of the festival it is the first time that a foreigner has been chosen for this role. This sure will be a great chance to experience a Japanese festival and see the Sakura at the same time!! For those of you who are in the vicinity it would be fantastic if you have the chance to come see the parade on April 17th!

分水おいらん道中のおいらん役に選ばれた初の外国人は・・・大使館の元研修生でした！　4月17日の開催です（新潟県燕市）http://bit.ly/1QUQ1t8
Posted by Royal Norwegian Embassy in Tokyo on Thursday, March 3, 2016

• All blogposts from the Tsubame Sakura Matsuri
• Elected as Oiran for the Tsubame Sakura Festival! 第74回 分水おいらん道中のおいらん役に！
• The Tsubame Sakura Matsuri: Cherry Blossom PR & Last Minute Preparations
• Behind the Scene of the Tsubame Sakura Matsuri Festival - The Oiran Dochu
• Geisha vs. Oiran: The Characteristics of the Japanese Courtesans
• Try it yourself: An Oiran (花魁) Costplay Experience in Japan
• All blogposts about Festivals