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A is an apprentice geiko in
Kyoto Kyoto ( or ; Japanese language, Japanese: , ''Kyōto'' ), officially , is the capital city of Kyoto Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan's largest and most populous island of Honshu. , the city had a population of 1.46 million, making it t ...
(in Tokyo it is
geisha {{Culture of Japan, Traditions, Geisha {{nihongo, Geisha{{efn, {{IPAc-en, lang, ˈ, ɡ, eɪ, ., ʃ, ə, {{IPA, ja, ɡei.ɕa, ɡeː-, lang{{cite book, script-title=ja:NHK日本語発音アクセント新辞典, publisher=NHK Publishing, editor= ...
). Their jobs consist of performing songs, dances, and playing the or other traditional Japanese instruments for visitors during banquets and parties, known as . are usually aged 17 to 20, and graduate to geiko status after a period of training that includes traditional dance, the , , and, in Kyoto only, learning the Kyoto dialect. The apprenticeship ranges from a few months to a year or two years, although apprentices too old to dress as may advance to geiko despite still training. Apprentice geisha in other locations in Japan are known by other terms, such as for apprentices in
Tokyo Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan, capital and List of cities in Japan, most populous city in Japan. With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, it is List of largest cities, one of the most ...
. The traditions of apprentice geisha in these areas diverge from those in Kyoto, sometimes to a considerable degree, including an apprentice's appearance and the structure of her apprenticeship.


Work

In the morning, take lessons in the traditional arts. At night, they dance, sing, play the , and serve visitors at exclusive (teahouses).


Origin

originated from women who served
green tea Green tea is a type of tea made from the leaves and buds of the '' Camellia sinensis'' that have not undergone the withering and oxidation process that creates oolong teas and black teas. Green tea originated in China in the late 1st millenn ...
and (Japanese dumpling made from rice flour) to visitors to the Kitano Tenman-gū or Yasaka Shrine in teahouses in Kyoto about 300 years ago.


Appearance


Hair

During their career, will wear different kinds of (traditional Japanese hairstyles) depending on rank, formality and occasion. These hairstyles are then decorated with seasonal and occasional (traditional hair ornaments). Most , unlike geisha, use their own hair with the addition of extensions, though apprentices in different areas of Japan may also use wigs. using their own hair have their hair restyled every week, requiring them to sleep on a special pillow known as a – a raised wooden block with a pillow – in order to maintain it.


Kimono and outfit


Most wear a style of kimono known as a . are typically anywhere from long, and often feature a lightly padded hem to create weight allowing the hem to trail along the floor. When walking outside, hold their up either with their hands, or by tying it in place with a small cord so that it does not drag along the ground. The style of worn by most features long, -style sleeves, and may feature tucks sewn horizontally into the sleeves and vertically along the shoulders; this is a holdover from before
WWII World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
, when often began their training at a young age, and would remove the tucks as they grew. For formal occasions, wear a black -style featuring 5 crests () to signify the they belong to.


wearing kimono typically wear it with an known as a . The is long, is roughly wide, and is worn exclusively by . Due to its length and weight, a male dresser (known as an ) is needed to tie it; can dress a in as little as five minutes, and may dress a number of each night. The crest of a 's is either dyed, embroidered or woven onto the end of the , below the (end lines). For formal occasions, gold brocade are worn.


Kimono

Some outside of Kyoto, and in particular in Tokyo, wear instead of . These apprentices (sometimes known as ) may also wear a wig instead of having their own hair styled.


outside Kyoto may also wear a instead of a , which is easier to tie and wear, Apprentices in Tokyo typically tie their in the style.


In media

* '' The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House'', Japanese live-action television series on
Netflix Netflix is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service. The service primarily distributes original and acquired films and television shows from various genres, and it is available internationally in multiple lang ...
starting 12 January 2023


Gallery

File:Satsuki and Kyouka walking.jpg, Two
Kyoto Kyoto ( or ; Japanese language, Japanese: , ''Kyōto'' ), officially , is the capital city of Kyoto Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan's largest and most populous island of Honshu. , the city had a population of 1.46 million, making it t ...
walking File:Katsunosuke minarai.jpg, alt=Maiko wearing shidare kanzashi, composed by long chains of silk flowers, wearing , composed by long chains of silk flowers File:Fukuyu with willow kanzashi.jpg, alt=A maiko wearing willow hair ornaments, with willow File:Maiko Fukuyuu dancing selection 2010.webm, (video) A dancing


References


External links

{{Authority control Types of geisha