Glimpse of a Geiko

My Scholarship entry - Glimpse of a Geiko

JAPAN | Saturday, 8 November 2014 | Views [2592] | View Larger Image

To welcome and relax her clients Toshisumi performs a short welcoming dance. This short performance keeps her guests entertained whilst the tea house staff prepare and deliver everybody their drinks. Each Maiko will practice one form of dance and each form is a narration of an ancient Japanese tale. Only once the Maiko has perfected a dance is she allowed to move onto a more detailed and evocative dance.

Tags: geisha, geiko, japan, tradition, yellow, culture, traditional, maiko, kyoto, arts

As we entered the room we were greeted by Toshisumi. Elegantly presented she welcomes her clients with a smile and a shallow bow of her head. Maiko's or apprentice Geiko's (commonly known as Geisha's) are required to greet their clients from a sitting position. As they are not true masters of the Geiko arts they are not allowed to greet the guests at the tea house door.

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Entertaining guests is a Geiko's or Maiko's job. Knowing and mastering a number of games to lighten the mood of a tense business meeting is only a small art the Maiko's have to learn. As conversation continues Toshisumi will entertain herself with one of her games. If she senses a lull in proceedings or if tempers are running high she will interject and begin playing a game with a guest. A few drinks will follow before the guests are allowed back to their conversations or back to business.

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Glimpse of a Geiko

My Scholarship entry - Glimpse of a Geiko

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