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Hey friends, welcome to Get Sleepy, where we listen, we relax, and we get sleepy.
I'm your host, Thomas.
Thanks so much for tuning in.
Tonight we'll be visiting Kyoto, the cultural capital of Japan, in springtime.
Here, we'll follow a day in the life of a trainee geisha, otherwise known as a maiko.
Thank you again to Lottie for another great story, which Jessica will be reading for us.
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One of the best available perks is that every Thursday we release a brand new bonus episode exclusively for our members.
I'll be with you tomorrow night as we enjoy a relaxing hike to a beautiful mountain waterfall on a warm summer day.
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Thank you so much for your support.
So my friends, let's settle in now and enjoy some comfort and relaxation.
Adjust your position if you need to, and make sure the covers are keeping you warm and snug.
If any areas of the body feel a bit tense or uncomfortable, give them a moment of acknowledgement and reassurance.
Perhaps by taking a few gentle stretches to soothe away the tension.
Eventually bring yourself to a place of stillness, feeling your body sink into the surface below, softening into the safety of this peaceful spot.
Next, imagine a slower pace of life.
Calm your breathing to match that pace.
Inhale deeply, taking several seconds to fill your lungs.
Then exhale very slowly, taking even more time than you did on the inhale.
Imagine the stress leaving your body with that air. slowly escaping and dissolving away.
Do this again, one or two more times, until you feel yourself completely relaxing.
Now that your body and mind are in a calmer, more relaxed place, I'll make way for Jessica to read to us as we travel to Kyoto in Japan.
This is where our story begins.
The soft warmth of the morning light filters through the translucent squares of the paper screens in the okiya.
This building is home to geisha who are professional entertainers.
Trainee geisha known as maiko also live here.
In one room, dozing comfortably, is a young woman named Yuki.
She is 20 years old, and she is a maiko.
It takes five years to become a full geisha.
And Yuki will reach that point in a little under a year.
This tradition is being kept alive by women like her in this modern world.
Yuki is lying on her side with her eyes closed on the firm surface of a traditional Japanese futon.
Her shoulders gently rise and fall as she breathes, still asleep.
The room around her is beautifully simple.
The floor is lined with delicate mats of a natural woven material, the color of creamy wheat.
The faint aroma of cooked rice floats through the air.
It's slightly floral and sweet.
Somewhere outside, a bird chirps quietly, nestled contentedly on a branch of a tree.
Just then, the rhythm of Yuki's breathing changes slightly.
She is coming out of her sleep and into her morning.
She arches and stretches her legs slightly and her toes wiggle under the bedsheets.
Then she lifts her hands to her face and runs them over her eyes.
She sits up in bed and then pushes aside her bedsheets and stands.
She walks over to a basin and splashes her face with cool water, letting it run over her eyes and cheeks like a waterfall.
Then, Yuki dresses with utmost care and elegance.
She puts on a grey-blue kimono and pulls down the wide sleeves over her arms before tying it expertly to fit her waist.
Once she is ready, she begins to move downstairs.
The floor mats are slightly springy beneath her feet.
The morning light is stronger now, and as she makes her way towards the staircase...
She glances out the window to the beautiful courtyard below.
The Okiya is built almost like a square donut, with a courtyard in the center.
Its flagstones are dark and polished, gleaming in the daylight.
On the ground floor the smell of rice is stronger and there is the soft hum of morning conversation.
Yuki pads through the okiya.
Her back is straight, and her steps are slow and deliberate.
She walks into the dining room.
The window shades here are open and golden light streams through.
The floor is the same creamy color as the shades below.
A long low table has been set out, and other maiko kneel elegantly next to it.
There is a faint sound of ticking.
A nearby clock is showing the time, 9.30 in the morning.
Yuki makes a small bow to her fellow Maiko.
Then she takes her place at the low table.
Almost instantly, a young girl appears with a tray of food for every Maiko.
The girl sets a tray down in front of Yuki.
It's a beautiful thing, rectangular and made of wood that has been lacquered red.
Two squat, rounded bowls with lids sit on the tray.
They are black and lacquered. with a thin red lip of paint around the edge.
The dome of each lid is crowned with a circular handle, like the cap of a water bottle.
Next to the bowls is a rectangular black plate.
It holds a piece of grilled mackerel golden brown and glazed in a light slick of teriyaki.
Black and white sesame seeds have been carefully scattered over the top.
Finally, next to this plate is a small dish of steamed vegetables and a tall, narrow cup of tea.
Yuki nods gratefully at the girl.
Then she delicately grips the handle of the first lacquered bowl between her forefinger and thumb.
She lifts the lid and a billow of steam coils into the cool air.
Underneath the steam is a mound of fluffy rice.
It has a clean, slightly floral scent.
Yuki lifts the lid of the other bowl.
Inside this one is clear miso soup dotted with cubes of tofu and rings of chopped spring onions.
Yuki picks up a small porcelain spoon and stirs it.
The sediment of the soup rises to the top, changing it from clear to opaque.
Its salty, sweet aroma fills the air, mingling with the rich, smoky smell of the grilled fish.
Yuki eats slowly, enjoying every bite of her morning meal.
When breakfast is over, Yuki rises from the floor and heads towards the entrance of the okiya.
She slips on a pair of wooden sandals and picks up a small, neat bag that matches her outfit.
Then she opens the door and steps out onto the streets of Kyoto.
Briefly, Yuki flashes her eyes toward the sign of the okiya, painted onto a piece of cotton and hanging like a flag over the entrance.
Then, she heads down a narrow road paved with smooth, rectangular slabs of grey stone.
Running along both sides of the street are low two-story buildings with tiled roofs and that are reminiscent of the scales of a lizard or fish.
They are made of warm brown wood.
Hanging over some of the windows are delicate blinds made of very fine threads of bamboo.
These blinds can roll up when needed.
Each house has a sliding door paneled with squares of glass or thin sheets of wood.
The street has an almost magical quality to it.
Above it is a clear, vibrant blue sky and the bright light of the morning sun.
In the distance are sloping mountains that rise in a circle around Kyoto.
Everything seems to radiate a sense of peace and stillness on this perfect spring day.
The air is crisp, the sun is warm, and wafting through the air is a light flowery scent.
Cherry blossoms bloom magnificently on the clusters of trees dotted everywhere in the distance.
As Yuki walks down the street, some of the people nearby glance in her direction.
She moves with such grace, almost like a slow dance, even though her shoes clack against the stone.
Soon, Yuki reaches another low building.
She stops and steps out of her sandals before she enters.
This place is like a school for Maiko.
It has many rooms for different disciplines.
Yuki makes her way into a large square room with almost no furniture in it.
Just like the okiya, the floor is lined with woven mats, and the windows are screened with paper.
There are a few other maiko here already, sitting and waiting for their lessons.
They seem just as poised and purposeful as Yuki.
Then a sliding door opens, and a very graceful older lady enters, wearing a crisp black kimono.
Each maiko seems to sit up a little straighter, their attention sharpening.
The older lady, a teacher asks them all to rise so that they may begin the first task of the day, the dance lesson.
She corrects each wrist movement and every angle of the chin.
She is very strict, but she is carrying out her lesson with absolute pride and passion for her art.
It takes five years for a young woman to train as a maiko before she can graduate to become a geisha.
And this teacher is aiding all of her students to the best of her ability.
The young women move with incredible elegance and every movement, while completely precise, is made to seem effortless.
It creates an almost hypnotic sense of calm.
Finally, after some hours, the class ends.
The Maiko bow respectfully to their teacher, who glides gracefully out of the room.
Yuki smooths out her kimono before picking up her bag and leaving the classroom.
She walks back onto the street, which is now busy with people going out to lunch.
In small, deliberate steps, Yuki turns into a side alley.
It's narrow and winding and full of the sounds of cooking and eating.
The air carries the aroma of soup and wood smoke.
Yuki turns into a little cafe.
Inside it's small and dimly lit and full of the delicious smell of noodles.
Yuki orders and takes a seat on a bench.
She carefully arranges her kimono over her knees and waits patiently for her food.
A young man arrives with a wide-rimmed bowl and sets it down in front of her.
The bowl is full of ramens.
The light from the window and the electric bulbs of the cafe dance and shimmer on the clear brown surface.
Inside the bowl are finely sliced vegetables, leafy greens and a tangle of noodles just below the surface of the broth.
A soft boiled egg has been halved and arranged perfectly on the top.
The yolk is a deep yellow and blends slightly into the soup.
Yuki takes a spoon and delicately tries the broth.
Then she picks up a pair of chopsticks and begins to eat.
She is so serene and elegant as she eats.
Her training as a maiko is apparent even here.
When she is finished, she returns to the school...
Heading into another, smaller room.
Here, she kneels dutifully next to her fellow Maiko.
There is a grassy scent in the air.
Soon, a new teacher arrives in a dark grey kimono.
She is carrying a tray set with intricate china bowls, a small pot, a ladle and a whisk made from bamboo.
Gently, the teacher guides her students towards a sunken square in the floor of the room.
In the middle, is a bulbous urn which is made of cast iron.
She sets down the tray and removes the lid of the urn to reveal hot water with steam billowing lazily up from it.
The teacher lifts the lid of the small pot.
Inside it is full of a bright green fine powder, matcha tea, which is responsible for the grassy scent in the air.
She takes a cup in her hands and heaps a small amount of matcha into it, then carefully ladles the hot water.
It tumbles out of the ladle, swishing in the cup.
Then she picks up the whisk and gracefully begins beating the matcha and the water into a smooth but frothy state.
The Maiko take their places to practice what she is demonstrating.
Soon, the air is full of grassy matcha and many delicate hands are moving slowly as they perform every step of this ancient tea ceremony.
The environment is peaceful and serene.
Just as quietly as it began, the lesson concludes.
Yuki leaves the classroom, then the school, and steps back onto the street.
The light is golden now, as the day is fading slowly into late afternoon.
There is a slight chill in the air.
Once Yuki arrives back at the okia, she heads upstairs to rest.
In her room, she takes her time putting down her bag and preparing for her nap.
She peels back the beautiful blanket and climbs into bed.
The soft light filters through the paper panels of the window screens as Yuki drifts into sleep.
Some time later, the dusky light of early evening drifts through the paper panels.
Yuki stirs lightly, rolling onto her side.
Then, she stretches and gets out of bed.
She rinses off her face and then dresses in a very plain, light cotton kimono.
Yuki makes her way downstairs and over to a small table.
On the table, there's a tray with a bowl of clear broth.
She picks up the bowl and drinks the broth.
This will be the last thing she eats until she returns home tonight.
When she is finished, she returns upstairs to her room.
Here, Yuki kneels before her dressing table.
She reaches under it and pulls out a wooden box.
It makes a scratchy sound as she drags it over the woven tatami floor mats.
Then she opens the lid and takes out a small mirror with a stand, as well as a round handheld mirror.
She positions the standing mirror on the table.
Next.
She lifts out a shallow white tub like a palette of face powder and another thicker white tub.
And then two small round palettes in bright pink and red colors.
She then takes out some slender makeup brushes and one fatter, fluffier brush.
There is also a powder puff, a shallow bowl, a small stick of something waxy, a dark pencil eyeliner mascara and a very broad but flat brush that looks almost like a spatula.
Yuki takes the bowl in her fingers and rises from the floor.
She fills it with cold water and carries it back carefully.
She kneels down and places the bowl next to the flat brush.
First, Yuki reaches for the small stick of something waxy.
It's wrapped in a single layer of paper that crinkles as she opens it.
This is Bintsuke wax.
It is made out of natural oils and other special ingredients and is used for both the face and the hair.
Yuki tears a small piece off and rubs it in her palms.
The heat from her hands softens it into an oil.
The wax has a curious odor, slightly sweet and citrusy.
With her palms, Yuki smears the oil in a light layer over her face and neck.
Then she tears off another piece of wax and warms it in the same way.
This time, she rubs the oil into the exposed part of her upper back and the top of her chest.
There is a sense of both ritual and care in her movements.
It is more than putting on makeup.
This is an art.
Next, she twists the lid off the shallow white palette.
Inside It looks just like face paint made of a brilliant white powder that has been pressed into shape.
Yuki takes the flat brush in her fingers and swirls it in the cold water in the shallow bowl.
She drags the brush against the side of the bowl to remove excess water.
Yuki swirls and presses the brush into the white palette.
It instantly begins to form a smooth paste.
Holding the brush in one hand, She positions herself in front of the standing mirror.
Then she picks up the handheld mirror with the other hand.
She holds it at just the right angle so that she can see the reflection of the back of her neck by looking in the standing mirror.
She presses the brush to the nape of her neck and, With one elegant movement, paints a semicircle right in the center of her neck.
With a few more sweeps she paints from each side of her hairline to join the edges of the semicircle to form a kind of W shape of bare skin.
She paints the rest of her back, neck, and chest with long, smooth motions.
The white paste spreads perfectly onto her skin, slightly cold and yet somehow soothing on the skin.
Yuki lifts her powder puffs, and begins to tap it against the areas she has painted.
Any moisture in the paint vanishes into the puff.
Her skin transforms into a solid, powdery white.
Taking the brush again, she moves it across her jawline, then her cheeks, nose, eyes, and forehead.
She pats it dry with her puff.
Every part of her face is covered in this solid white makeup.
Next, she takes the small pink palette and dabs it onto her cheeks and eyes using her fluffy brush.
She blends it gently so that the effect is like a subtle blush.
She opens the fatter jar to reveal loose white powder and uses her puff to pat this over the pink.
Then she takes a small paintbrush, wets it, and begins to paint the pink onto her eyebrows.
It comes out much thicker and darker, almost red.
She paints it along the lower outer lid of her eyes too.
Next, she takes the pencil to darken her eyebrows.
She sweeps black liquid eyeliner in. onto her upper eyelids in one fluid motion.
Then she applies a feather-light layer of mascara, and her eyes sparkle like beautiful jewels.
Finally, with a flourish, she lifts her last paintbrush, wets it and circles it against the small red palette.
Then, with absolute precision, she lifts it to her lips and paints them in the bright cherry red of the paint.
They bloom against the white of her makeup, Like a vivid red rosebud on a blanket of fresh snow.
With the makeup done, she is no longer just Yuki.
She is a Maiko.
She places all her paintbrushes into the remaining cold water to soak.
Then she stands and goes to open the door.
A few moments later, a neatly dressed man arrives, carrying what looks like a stack of folded silk.
He places it down and Yuki stands with her arms out, He dresses her in a pale peach kimono.
It's adorned with a beautiful floral collar and embroidered golden flowers that rise from her feet.
The way he dresses her feels almost like a dance.
He lines up the hem. sleeves, and collar to make sure the kimono sits straight.
Each layer of silk seems to ripple and shimmer like water running through his hands.
He completes the look with a deep yellow obby, a wide belt tied in an enormous bow at her back.
He manages this huge, stiff piece of fabric as easily as if he is folding tissue paper.
Lastly, He pins a few flower ornaments into her hair to match the peach of the kimono, before he leaves, just as swiftly as he arrived.
Yuki turns to see herself in the mirror and breathes in a deep, satisfying breath, ready to head out into the night.
She walks with small, dainty steps, despite the weight of the kimono.
It seems as if she is simply gliding across the floor.
Yuki sweeps down the stairs and through the halls of the okiya.
Near the front door, she pauses by a beautiful pair of shoes.
They are called okobo and look like flip-flops built on wooden platforms of at least 5 inches.
These wooden platforms slope diagonally from the toes to where the center of the foot would be.
Yuki slips hers on.
She stands taller and seems even more elegant than usual.
Despite the height of the shoes...
She steps out into the street easily and gracefully.
One of her fellow Maiko joins her.
There is a small tinkling sound with every step she takes.
It comes from the tiny metal bells hidden inside the hollowed out souls of the Okobo.
The Maiko make their way through the streets of Kyoto.
The day is almost over.
Its dusk and the setting sun cast shots of deep orange, yellow, and pink through the gray sky.
The colors bounce off the smooth, shiny flagstones that line the streets and the perfectly clear windows of every building they pass through.
Paper lanterns begin to shine as the lights inside them flicker to life.
They transform the street with their pearly glow.
There are some tourists here.
They nearly always stop to admire the Maiko, to take a photo on their phone or whisper to each other.
But Yuki and her fellow Maiko merely bow their heads gently and continue with total composure.
Noodle shops, restaurants, And clothes shops come into view, but the Maiko keep walking.
Soon, they turn towards a splendid building.
It is low and long, built of very fine vertical slats and panels of wood stained so dark brown that they look black.
Its roof is elegantly shaped with curved dark tiles.
The architect has left a space between the wooden panels and the roof, perhaps half a meter or so.
The plaster is painted in the same bold, bright red as Yuki's lipstick.
This is one of Kyoto's historic teahouses.
Yuki, and the other Maiko glide towards the entrance gate of the tea house.
They are met by a geisha who welcomes them inside.
The geisha leads them to a beautiful, peaceful room.
The floor is lined with pale cream woven mats bordered with black material.
At one end stands a sliding door.
Tiny rectangles of paper make up its windows, and a light behind them casts a soft glow into the space.
At another end is a clear area of floor and opposite there are three low wooden tables with carved legs.
A hand-embroidered pillow lies near each place setting for guests to sit upon.
A faint aroma of green tea and wood polish lingers in the air.
Yuki removes her shoes before stepping into the room and moving to the clear area of the floor.
She lowers herself onto her knees and alongside the other Maiko, who is wearing a light blue kimono and carrying a thin instrument box.
Together, they calmly wait.
The geisha will observe them throughout the night, so she can help them with their trainings.
Slowly, guests begin to arrive in the room.
Whatever urgency or tension they may have come with disappears.
A sense of calm sweeps over them as soon as they step into the room.
Their faces soften into smiles as they see Yuki, and their bodies relax into the embroidered cushions.
When the room is full and everyone has been served a drink in dainty cups.
The second Maika, snaps open the clasps on her instrument box and opens the lid.
She lifts out a traditional Japanese shamisen, a three-stringed instrument.
It has a small, square body and a long, elegant neck.
It's a bit like a guitar.
The Maika begins to tune it, and Yuki rises.
As soon as she stands, a hush settles over the room.
The second, Maiko begins to play the shamisen using a triangular-shaped wooden tool to pluck the strings.
Yuki begins to perform the moves from the dance she has been learning.
The dance comes alive in the dim light of the teahouse.
Her exquisite kimono falls and flutters to the music.
Her movements seem silky and light.
It is as if she is dancing with air.
Yuki performs all evening.
She glides around the room between dances to talk with guests and refill their cups.
The atmosphere this evening is warm and comforting.
But as the night winds down, each guest slowly begins to leave.
One by one, they stand and gently stretch their bodies.
They all wear the same relaxed, happy expression as they make their way out of the room and into the night.
Once the last guest departs, Yuki and the other Maiko prepare to leave too.
They stand gracefully and bow to the geisha.
Then they slip their feet into their akobo shoes and bow once again.
Yuki and the other Maiko make their way out of the tea house and onto the street.
It is almost midnight.
The city is coated in an inky darkness which is only punctuated by the white streetlights and lit up restaurant and bar signs.
As they walk, the bells in the Maiko's shoes tinkle gently.
There is a gentle hum of activity in the air.
People returning to their homes, chatting with their friends, and eating late night food.
Before long, the Maiko arrive at the Okiya.
Yuki slips off her shoes and enters.
She heads straight upstairs to her bathroom, where a tub of hot, soapy water waits for her.
She takes another bowl and scoops out some of the water.
Then she takes a fluffy cotton face towel, wets it, and begins to wipe away her makeup.
When she is finished removing her makeup and bathing, she prepares for sleep.
She peels back the sheets and climbs in, feeling the cool cotton against her arms.
Then she rests her head on the pillow and lets her body sink into the soothing embrace of the bed.
Her eyelids are heavy, so she lets them close.
It's been a long, yet rewarding day.
With a last thought of tea and miso soup and dancing, Yuki surrenders to her tiredness and allows herself to be carried away into a deep and restful sleep.
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