*A maiko dancing for the guests
Hello, this is Yoriko. I am sure you have heard of the word Geisha before. According to Oxford Dictionary, Geisha is...
≪A Japanese hostess trained to entertain men with conversation, dance, and song≫
In Kyoto, we call them Geiko. They are called different names in different regions, but please make sure to call them Geiko/Maiko when you come to Kyoto. They are proud to be called Geiko/ Maiko and not Geisha.
*Maiko and Geiko greeting visitors
I would like to introduce you to the system of this unusual world today.
Kagai are entertainment districts where geiko and maiko live and work. The word kagai comes from the Chinese word for “entertainment district.” Inside of a kagai there are boarding houses for the maiko and trainees called okiya, teahouses or ochaya where maiko and geiko entertain guests, and sometimes ryouriya or shidashiya which are restaurants that provide the food for parties held in the teahouses.
*Ochaya in the main part of Gion District
Ochaya teahouses are very exclusive. Only people who are members of a teahouse or a friend of a member can hold a party there. This practice is called “ichigensan okotowari” and is based on the trust built between the customer and the owner of the teahouse. When a customer wants to have a banquet or a gathering at a teahouse, the owner of the teahouse takes care of everything, such as booking the maiko/geiko and ordering the food. The customer will receive the bill a month or two later, which means he can fully enjoy the experience without worrying about money and payment.
*Okiya at main part of Gion District
Becoming a maiko and eventually a geiko is a long and difficult process. Girls begin their training at 15 or 16, and debut as maiko a year later. Then, a maiko must work for five to six years before they can become a geiko. During their training, maiko must learn how to sing, dance, and play traditional Japanese instruments like the Shamisen or Koto. They must also master the Japanese sense of hospitality, omotenashi.
*A Maiko singing for the guests
When you visit Kyoto, we can explain more about them and the area in which they live and work. Contact us if you are interested in Kagai, Geiko and Maiko.
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