Maiko

I received this postcard from Shiho.

Maiko it is a term which describe a geisha – apprentice from Kioto.

Maiko originated from women who served green tea and Dango (Japanese dumpling made from rice flour) to people who visited the Kitano Tenman-gū or Yasaka Shrine (these are the two of the famous shrines in Kyoto) at teahouses in the temple town about 300 years ago. At first, women served only green tea and dango, but they gradually started to perform songs and dances for the visitors.

Maiko is the young girl, who are preparing to being geisha through learning by observation. Maiko are usually aged 15 to 20 years old and become geiko after learning how to dance (a kind of Japanese traditional dance), play the shamisen, and learning Kyō-kotoba (dialect of Kyoto), regardless of their origins.

Maiko’s kimono is more colorful. Arms are huge and they are touching ground. Also she wears high boots buskin okobo and loosely called dissolved obi belt.

Maiko’s hairstyle is called nihon-gami (Japanese traditional hairstyle from Edo period.) They arrange their hairstyle with their own hair. Maiko put kanzashi (Japanese traditional hair accessories) on their hair with seasonal flowers. The hairstyle changes by the years of experience they have.

Their jobs consist of performing songs, dances, and playing the shamisen (three-stringed Japanese instrument) for visitors at a feast.