Maiko san, Geiko san

Maybe some of you think this way,
"oh it's a Geisha!!"
No, she isn't Geisha, but Maiko san!
It is a name fondly used among people in Kyoto.

Who is Maiko san then?
Well, some of you might know already, but it literally means " dancing girls!"
Maiko is an apprentice female entertainer at ages of between 15 and 20.
They live in lodging houses to get a full-time training to be the one with a great skill and grace.
This picture was taken by my guest last week near a lodging house..

They show up in make-ups( well actually they are just walking to their work place ) only before
and after their working time. But we were lucky enough to encounter several of them!
We were striken not only by their beauty and elegrance, but also by kimono..
It's hard to describe how impressive they were!!
I want to wear kimono like that!

Do you think it's another picture of Maiko san?
Nope, it is Geiko san! hehe, Geiko is an experienced female entertainer.
After training as Maiko for several years, they are eligible to be Geiko,
which means they will have to be self-empolyed.
The easiest difference on look between Maiko and Geiko is the hair.
She puts on wig, while Maiko makes their hair style with real hair.
It's important to be mature looking, so Geiko tend to dress more simply,
which also signifies their firm will to rely less on apperance and more on skills.

In Kyoto we have 5 kagai(where maiko and geiko are) districts.
Kamishichiken, Pondo cho, Gion toubu, Gion koubu, and Miyagawa cho.
The moment you capture Maiko-san or Geiko-san could be one of your best memories in Japan.