Manila’s cosplay scene is home to hundreds of cosplayers, with varied skill sets, resources, and interests. But every once in a while, we get a truly unique individual who not only does her best, but does her best in a way that is distinct from all others. Monique, also known as Midori, is one of these special talents. She specializes in the portrayals of Geiko and Maiko — traditional Japanese beauties who are masters in song, dance, and conversation.

Her appearances at local events in full Geiko garb has drawn crowds of admirers and photographers, and even landed her in the pages of Danny Choo’s Otacool 2: Worldwide Cosplayers. She has likewise been tapped by SEA anime channel Animax to become one of their Youth Council members. She is also an avid reader of magnetic-rose.net, and you can usually find her in the comments section of several threads.

Midori takes time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions.

When and how did you start portraying Geiko/Maiko?

When I took my first tentative steps to cosplay, I started to wonder what I should cosplay as. I didn’t want to do a character that hundreds of people have already done (and better), so I tried to just look at my resources and what I really thought I could portray as best as I can with what little I had. I was watching the Discovery Channel when their documentary “Geisha Girl” came on, and it was the second time I’d seen it. After watching it, I decided, “This. I want to do this. I want to grow just like her. I think I’ll become a geiko.” So with help from my auntie, who used to be a Japanese consul, and my mom who is fabulous with makeup, I started to portray geiko.

For you, what is the best thing about specializing in their portrayal?

I think the best part of it is when people started identifying me with the character. I don’t really know how many geisha have appeared in conventions before (I was really new at this, and still am, I believe), but when I decided to primarily portray geiko and other traditional-styled characters, I was really surprised that people just kept calling me, “Hey Miss Geisha!” or “Hi, geisha girl!” as though I were the only one. And to me, because I’m still light years away from those actual beautiful women in Kyoto, that just really warmed my heart and inspired me to just work so much harder as a geiko. Because now people were expecting it of me. I want to do my best in it, and I feel like although my progress is slow, I’m growing.

Which outfit was your favorite?

During Toycon, I was very very fortunate enough to wear an entirely authentic outfit. It was just lent to me for that one time, but it was absolutely beautiful. It was an actual wedding uchikake (and my kimono dresser told me that it cost thousands of dollars) and I was all but afraid to move in it for fear of damaging it in any way. All of it, including my obi-jime, obi-age, the obi, the houmongi I wore under the uchikake, even the fur wrap around my shoulders were straight from Japan, lent kindly by a former geiko and atotori, Michiko-san (my dresser’s aunt). Although the thought of getting it damaged in any way was paralyzing, I just adored this outfit. And because it was lent by a former geiko, I felt as though I were being lent her time as a real geiko for just a moment.

What is the hardest part about this type of specialized cosplay? How have you dealt with any problems?

I think my specialization is a double edged sword. I may have done a bit better than some others who did, but my problem is that everything I lack compared against what an actual geiko looks like is glaringly obvious. I myself am not content with my portrayal–I lack many necessary features and details necessary to be a “real” geiko portrayal. So whenever somebody gives me a compliment or anything, I thank them very profusely and just resolve to work harder and do better in the future. My chief problem would have to be lack of resources in terms of getting the necessary parts of an outfit. Even for Kyoto geiko, everything is incredibly expensive. So I just do my best with what I have now.

What advice would you give to others who aspire to do Geiko/Maiko portrayals as well?

I don’t believe I have the right to give advice yet, also still progressing in what I do, but I would tell them to put their heart in it. It’s easy to think, “Oh, I’ll do that!” and then begin, but once you get to the starting point and learn all about these geiko and see what they’re like, it’s immediately incredibly daunting. If they really want to be as like geiko as possible, they can’t give up. They have to do whatever they could to reach that ideal. It doesn’t have to be instant. All that matters is that you’re willing to do what it takes to get there eventually, to become as “real” a geiko as possible.

Monique / Midori divides her time between perfecting her skills and covering events as an Animax Youth Council member. You can visit read up on her latest adventures on Animax Asia.