
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Women of the Ages: Jidai Matsuri

Izumo-no-Okuni (1600), the mother of Kabuki, was once a maiden in the service of the Izumo Shrine, one of Japan’s holiest Shinto shrines. She later became famous for her dancing, and legend holds that her troup`s first performance took place in the dry bed of the Kamo River. These dances were very popular (I have been told the originall characters used to write kabuki meant song, dance and prostitution), so popular that the Tokugawa shogunate banned women from the stage. From then on, all roles have been placed by men. Today Kabuki is written with characters meaning song, dance and skill.
Lady Shizuka (played by Masayo, a high ranking maiko from Gion Higashi), a famed Kyoto dancer of the late 12th century,was the lover of the hero Minamoto-no-Yoshitsune, a brilliant Genji general in the Gempei War (1180-1185). His success, however, earned him the distrust of his half-brother, Yoritomo, the leader of the Genji (vs. the Heike). In 1185, Yoritomo forced his half-brother to flee and live like an outlaw.
Four years later, facing capture and certain execution, Yoshitsune committed suicide. Shizuka, pregnant with his child, was captured by Yoritomo. Reportedly, she danced for him and so charmed him that Yoritomo spared her life and that of her unborn child only if it was a girl. Unfortunately, a son was born and soon killed to prevent him from seeking vengeance for his father's death later in life.
Spotlight YouTube Beauty Guru: manwomanfilm
The one and only manwomanfilm of YouTube creates stunning makeup looks with her mellow soundtracks and impressive video editing techniques. Seriously, the girl has skills!
Her videos are not your typical makeup tutorials. There is never dialogue or voice overs. She transforms her adorable self into such characters as a angelic dancer, flight attendant, and blooming pink rose. You can take her techniques and morph them into an everyday or a special occasion look. When we first saw her videos on YouTube, we couldn’t stop watching all of them from beginning to end. She seems to bring such an geniune passion for makeup and has no fear on color risks and outfits. We adore her creativity and sparkling smile. Manwomanfilm, you give us the inspiration to break out of our safe zone!
Monday, October 4, 2010
The 9th China International Fashion Week
A model presents a creation at the 9th China International Fashion Week, which opened in Beijing on Nov 16. Activities such as fashion show, design contest, forum etc will give people a better understanding of fashions in China.