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2016.01.11
It is hard work to write many New Year’s cards,
but you will be happy when you receive them.
Recently, there are New Year’s greetings on social networks though,
I think that New Year’s cards are still special for everyone.
Conversation with old friends through New Year’s cards over a year is kind of quaint.
The photo shows some New Year’s cards I received.
It is one of my pleasures to see each design. (H.S)
2015.12.21
Geiko
Maiko
<Salary>
An “Okiya” house (where a Maiko lives) pays for all the expenses for the Maiko’s daily life from food, lessons, Kimono and so on.
An "Okasan"(she is the owner of the okiya house, and the Okasan means a mother in Japanese) gives the Maiko money as their allowance ( not as salary) for anything else they need.
A Geiko has to make a living by herself. Moreover, she gives some money to the okiya house.
<What they do at work>
Main jobs for the Maiko are talking to guests and serving drinks for them.
The Geiko dances and plays musical instruments to entertain guests.
<Age limits>
The Maiko is from around the age of 15 to 20.
There is no age limit for the Geiko. The oldest Geisha (Geiko is called Geisha in Tokyo) is Asano Yuko, she is 92 years old.
<The relationship between Maiko and Geiko>
With other Geiko, the Maiko exchanges sakazuki (sakazuki is a cup for alcohol beverage, esp., sake.)
to let her become her sister (not a real sister though, a kind of like a lifetime mentor).
And the Geiko becomes responsible for the Maiko through life.
The relationships between the Okasan, Maiko and Geiko will last for a long time.
Maiko Geiko
Now you know a little bit about the differences between Maiko and Geiko.
It is not really easy to talk about them because there is always so much more to know.
With their hard training, disciplining and a lot of experiences, ones can become beautiful Maiko, Geiko/Geigi.
They are the important parts of Japanese culture.
They are being beautiful humbly and making people delightful everyday.
Maiko
T.F
2015.12.16
A Maiko walking in front of an "Okiya" house
A tea house
Before I get into the main topic, let me mention about a one thing, a difference between "Geiko" and "Geisha".
You probably heard “Geisha” more than “Geiko” before.
Geiko is a name which is used in Kyoto, and Geisha is the name used in other places in Japan such as Tokyo, Osaka and so on. They both are traditional Japanese entertainers.
<Where they live>
Do you know where a Geiko and a Maiko live? In general, they have different residences.
The Maiko lives in an “Okiya” house. She cannot just start living there without several processes. She must meet all of their (Okiya house‘ｓ) criteria.
Around the age of 15 →One must check their (an Okiya's)criteria → Apply → The "Okiya" checks resumes and documents → Permitted → Finally starts living in the “Okiya” house →1 year of training as a "Shikomi" (Shikomi means preparation in Japanese. She must help with chores for the “Okiya” house and the teahouse. She also takes various lessons.) → Exam to be a Maiko → About 5 years of training as a Maiko. (Becomes an apprentice one as a Maiko and makes her debut into Japanese traditional entertainment) → A ceremony for changing the color of her Kimono (Maiko's kimono are flowery and colorful. Geiko's kimono are darker with more simple pattern)→ Finally becomes a Geiko!!
Maiko spends for about 6 years (including the first year as a "Shikomi") in the “Okiya” house, she lives with other Maiko, Geiko and their owner.
The owner of the house is called “Okasan” (means a mother in Japanese) who teaches the Maiko Japanese traditional manner of this field and send her to several music and dance lessons.
some of the owner of "Okiya" houses actually adopt Maiko as their children.
In general, after one bocomes a Geiko, she leaves the "Okiya" house.
She lives in a place like us. But if she wants to stay in the "Okiya" house for improvement of her skills, she can do so.
They are putting so much effort and time to make Japanese culture gorgeous and splendid one.
See you next time!!
T.F
2015.12.13
Geiko/Geigi Maiko
A Maiko is a trainee, and a Geiko/Geigi (you can say either Geiko or Geigi) is the one who finished the training.
The Maiko is usually around the age of 20.
And the Maiko becomes Geiko after a training period.
By the time the Maiko becomes Geiko, she is in her late teens or early twenties.
<Hair Style>
The Maiko uses her own hair and does not untie it for a week. Of course, she sleeps with her hair tied up. So she uses a special pillow.
During the daytime, she puts several flowery hair accessories on her hair.
The Geiko wears wigs instead of using her own hair to make the traditional Japanese hair style.
She does not use many hair accessories as the Maiko does.
<"Kimono" dress>
The Maiko’s “Kimono” dress has colorful and flowery patterns. Her dress has long hanging sleeves. She wears a sash of “Darari no obi” (long draping sash). The length of the sash is about 5 to 6meters long. She ties the sash in a long hanging shape.
Maiko
The Geiko wears darker “Kimono” dress with more simple patter than the Maiko does. The color and pattern of their sash is more simple than the Maiko's.
Geiko/Geigi
<Shoes>
The Maiko’s shoes are wooden footwear called “Okobo” or “Bokkuri Geta” which are very tall, the sole of the shoes are about 10 cm tall. The shapes of the shoes are round. The “Okobo” are worn to prevent the wearer’s kimono from touching the ground.
The Geiko wears Japanese sandals called “Zouri”.
Because the Geiko has much more experience, knowledge and elegance than a Maiko, she does not have to wear so much as the Maiko does.
Ok, that's it for today. I'll tell you more about their difference next time!!
T.F
2015.11.25
Oxford Dictionaries Word of the Year is a pictograph
called the “Face with Tears of Joy” emoji.
Because it was the most used emoji globally in 2015.
The term “emoji” is a loanword from Japanese.
I feel that characters to express feelings are going back to hieroglyphics. (H.S)
