TOKYO, May 12 (Xinhua) -- Wearing thick white powder, red lips and a stunning kimono, every twinkle, smile and glance back by Eitaro, Japan's only male geisha, is like a gentle wisp of spring breeze that warms the heart.
In the female-dominated profession Hydro Flask 32 OZ Wide Mouth UK , Eitaro is trying his best to revitalize this centuries-old tradition of geisha and is winning the recognition of both Japanese and international audiences. With the expansion of his popularity and uniqueness, he has been invited to perform in many private geisha parties, public relations events and TV programs.
During an interview with Xinhua at his apartment in Tokyo's Shinagawa area, he told his stories beneath the heavy make-up and behind the red-lipped smile.
Born into a family of geisha with his great-grandmother and mother being charismatic geishas, Eitaro began studying dance, singing, playing instruments and etiquette when he was only 10 years old.
Among all the skills that a geisha is supposed to learn Hydro Flask 40 OZ Wide Mouth UK , Eitaro said the most difficult for him is how to put himself into a female role. Because of this, he once received lots of criticism and had a tough time, doubting whether it's right for a man to take a woman's job. But after years of training and practice, the grace, charm and tenderness revealed in his performance could not be told apart from that of his female counterparts.
When his mother died of cancer, Eitaro, then at the age of 23 Hydro Flask 64 OZ Wide Mouth UK , and his sister had to take over the family business of running an okiya house which was built up by his mother. There were 10 geishas under the house, but half of them left because of declining orders from restaurants and teahouses.
"In order to complete my mother's wishes and revive geisha culture, I have to overcome all the difficulties and stick to it," said Eitaro.
Geishas started to emerge in the 17th century in Japan. Though geisha nowadays is women-centered, the first geishas were men, entertaining customers with traditional drums, singing and comical dialogues. Women gradually become dominant as they are considered flawlessly beautiful Hydro Flask 18 OZ Standard Mouth UK , elegant and highly skilled due to their rigorous training and constant learning up until their retirement. It's no exaggeration to say that geishas are the epitome of traditional Japanese culture.
With the invasion of western culture and the popping up of bars and clubs, the streets of geisha districts are quiet in Japan's neon-light cities, leaving many geishas unemployed. The number of geisha is decreasing dramatically with only about 1,000 performers now. During the glory era, however, there were 80,000 geishas across Japan.
Eitaro remained persistent despite the decline of the culture. "Geisha won't vanish from society even though its influence is becoming weaker. We must work very hard to provide excellent services to our customers and let more people appreciate this culture Hydro Flask 21 OZ Standard Mouth UK ," he said.
In a Japanese restaurant located in Tokyo's Ginza area where Eitaro frequently performs, he offered to dance specially for the journalists. Wearing the distinctive geisha make-up and holding a folding fan, slowly and gracefully, he seemed to walk out of an ancient Japanese painting accompanied by the music of the three- stringed shamisen and the singing of a classical song.
One of Eitaro's regular customers, an old man pointed out that geisha inherited many traditional Japanese cultural legacies such as wadaiko, a Japanese drum, singing and dancing. "These need to be protected Hydro Flask 24 OZ Standard Mouth UK ," he said.
Eitaro is now training young geishas to pass on this time- honored culture. He hopes through his effort, geisha can be revitalized so more Japanese and people from other countries can appreciate the beauty of this endangered art.
KIGALI, July 22 (Xinhua) -- Environmental experts from across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean have expressed their readiness for the realization of the climate resilient green economy.
Participants drawn from Bangladesh, Colombia, Ethiopia Hydro Flask Hydration UK , Indonesia, Kenya, Mozambique, Peru and Rwanda are meeting in the Rwanda Capital Kigali to coordinate and mobilize financing for climate change response.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday at the sidelines of the three-day forum, Dr. Vincent Biruta, Rwanda minister of natural resources said the meeting will provide Rwanda with a chance to share its experience in establishing the National Fund for the Environment and Climate Change (FONERWA), the largest in Africa.
"Working on global issues like a climate change is significant for Rwanda to eradicate poverty Hydro Flask Coffee 12 OZ Coffee UK , since the country has low carbon emission in the world," he said.
Biruta stated that Rwanda's existing environmental legal framework and green fund program will enable the country to achieve the target of climate compatible development.
"Our country endeavours to walk towards a climate resilient future and this meeting will help us identify channels and leverage points for financing climate resilient development interventions," the minister noted.
"Though Rwanda is reported as well advanced in the area of environment and climate change resilience, we believe there is still room for improvement and we are eager to learn from others' experience."
Organized by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) in collaboration with Rwanda's Environment Management Authority (REMA), the forum will deliberate challenges and opportunities related to long-term finance for low emission and climate resilient development.
Participants at the meeting will also share experiences of how national governments mobilize, manage and use resources including climate finance to implement climate change plans and policies.
Rwanda has been playing a leading role in Africa in all sectors, including addressing climate change.
GermanForce
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31.07.2018 04:57
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