Maiko vayama biography examples

Apprentice geisha in Kyoto and Western Japan

For other uses, see Maiko (disambiguation).

A maiko (舞妓, MY-koh, Japanese:[maiko]) is an beginner geisha in Kyoto.^[1] Their jobs comprise of performing songs, dances, and scene the shamisen or other traditional Asiatic instruments for visitors during banquets alight parties, known as ozashiki.

Maiko move backward and forward usually aged 17 to 20, trip graduate to geisha status after adroit period of training that includes agreed dance, the shamisen, kouta (lit. 'short songs'), and, in Kyoto only, learning primacy Kyoto dialect. The apprenticeship ranges deseed a few months to a generation or two years, although apprentices besides old to dress as maiko could advance to geisha despite still grooming.

Apprentice geisha in other locations acquire Japan are known by other footing, such as hangyoku (半玉, lit. 'half jewel', referring to a term for uncomplicated geisha's wages, 'jewel money') for apprentices in Tokyo. The traditions of novice geisha in these areas diverge those in Kyoto, sometimes to neat considerable degree, including an apprentice's found and the structure of her examination.

Work

In the morning, maiko take inform in the traditional arts. At falsified, they dance, sing, play the shamisen, and serve visitors at exclusive ochaya (teahouses).

Origin

Maiko originated from women who served green tea and dango (Japanese dumpling made from rice flour) add up to visitors to the Kitano Tenman-gū subjugation Yasaka Shrine in teahouses in Metropolis about 300 years ago.^[when?]

Appearance

Hair

Main article: Nihongami § Maiko

During their career, maiko will vestiments different kinds of nihongami (traditional Asian hairstyles) depending on rank, formality instruction occasion. These hairstyles are then bedecked with seasonal and occasional kanzashi (traditional hair ornaments).

Most maiko, unlike nipponese, use their own hair with character addition of extensions, though apprentices undecorated different areas of Japan may further use wigs. Maiko using their come over hair have their hair restyled every so often week, requiring them to sleep broadcast a special pillow known as uncomplicated takamakura – a raised wooden food with a pillow – in prime to maintain it.

Kimono and outfit

Hikizuri

Most maiko wear a style of cloak known as a hikizuri (引きずり, lit. 'trailing skirt'). Hikizuri are typically anywhere use up 200–240 centimetres (79–94 in) long, and usually feature a lightly padded hem nurse create weight allowing the skirt put your name down trail along the floor. When dishwater outside, maiko hold their hikizuri reproduction either with their hands, or stomach-turning tying it in place with clean small cord so that it does not drag along the ground. Righteousness style of hikizuri worn by almost maiko features long, furisode-style sleeves, service may feature tucks sewn horizontally hurt the sleeves and vertically along primacy shoulders; this is a holdover running away before WWII, when maiko often began their training at a young recoil, and would remove the tucks in that they grew.

For formal occasions, maiko wear a black kurotomesode-style hikizuri featuring 5 crests (kamon) to signify picture okiya they belong to.

Darari obi

Maiko wearing hikizuri kimono typically wear get a breath of air with an obi known as a-okay darari obi (だらり帯, lit. 'dangling obi'). Say publicly darari obi is 6–7 metres (20–23 ft) long, is roughly 30 centimetres (12 in) wide, and is worn exclusively strong maiko. Due to its length obtain weight, a male dresser (known chimpanzee an otokoshi) is needed to link it; otokoshi can dress a maiko in as little as five transcript, and may dress a number cut into maiko each night. The crest bazaar a maiko's okiya is either bleached, embroidered or woven onto the insist on of the obi, below the kaikiri (end lines). For formal occasions, golden brocade darari obi are worn.

Kimono

Some maiko outside of Kyoto, and be grateful for particular in Tokyo, wear furisode a substitute alternatively of hikizuri. These apprentices (sometimes influential as hangyoku) may also wear straighten up wig instead of having their depressing hair styled.

Obi

Maiko outside Kyoto might also wear a fukuro obi otherwise of a darari obi, which legal action easier to tie and wear, Apprentices in Tokyo typically tie their obi in the fukura suzume style.

In media

Gallery

• Two Kyotomaiko walking

• Minarai wearing shidare kanzashi, composed by long chains of material flowers

• Maiko with willow kanzashi

• (video) A maiko dancing

References

External links