Pop Japan

Let's take a look inside the life and times of a maiko, as Kyoto Fan (Discover Kyoto) interviews Fukunae-san, one of the hardworking maiko from Miyagawa-chō. What are her preparations and disciplines she undergoes in order to pursue her dream of becoming a top class geisha (or geiko, as called in Kyoto) in the country?

Maiko is a term known for being an apprentice to become geisha. During this period, a maiko has to be trained on a strict and challenging lifestyle, including tests on music, hair and make-up dressings, and her role of being an entertainer during evenings. Though it usually happens in private teahouses and behind gilded screens.

Tags: TRADITION, Japan, Kyoto, geisha, maiko, apprentice