Feb 28 (glamourdaze) - Possibly the earliest motion picture footage of Japanese Maiko entertainers.
Filmed in the Meiji era, circa 1900. While many Japanese women still wore the traditional Kimono, Obi and the Furisode, these women are definitely entertainers. The dangling kanzashi on the sides of their hairstyles. The decorative sakura blossoms. Also the demonstration of traditional Japanese dancing to the accompaniment of two Shamisen players. All key components in the art of the Geisha apprentice.
The location is hard to say, but it may be Kyoto.
The Geisha or Geiko apprentice was referred to as Maiko in Kyoto, and as Hangyoku in Tokyo.
Geisha and Maiko often applied white oshiroi makeup for certain occasions, but not necessarily on a daily basis.
The Meiji era saw a gradual opening up of Japan to the west. It was the beginning of the modernization of Japan, and the introduction of western influences of consumerism, western fashion etc.
AI Restoration Process:
1. DeNoise and removed artifacts.
2. Increased motion interpolation to 60 fps, using a deep learning open source program Dain app.
3. Upscaled using AI to 4K resolution.
4. Added color using Deoldify
5. Soundtrack created.
The Original Film.
Preserved by the US National Archive as part of the Thomas Armat Collection.
See original film:
Title: Japanese Scenes - 1894 - 1900
https://catalog.archives.gov/id/89042
William Heise may have been the cinematographer. The earliest dated Edison related films from Japan are 1894 are credited to him.
