Stages of a Geisha
Training begins at a very young stage and other some girls were sold to the geisha houses "Okiya" as childern most were the daughters of geisha brought up to be the successor "atotori" of their mother.
1. The first stage of a Geisha is called Shikomi. In this stage the young girls would be put to work as maids, or do everything they are told. It is a stage that has the intent of making or breaking the girl. The most junior shikomi of the house would wait up at night for the most senior geisha to return from engagements, this was sometimes as late as two or three am. Shikomi would also have to attend classes at the hanamachi's geisha school.
To progress to the next level Shikomi must be proficient with the geisha arts and pass a final exam which is a dance.
2. Second stage of Geisha is called Minarai, these girls are relieved of the housekeeping duties and focus of training in the field. They attend ozashiki (banquets in which guests are attend by geisha) but the do no participate at an advanced level. Their kimono is the most elaborate out of all the stages for it is intended to do all the talking for them. Usually have an onee-san "older sister" who they will follow around and attend parties with. This last only about a month or so
3. The third stage of training is the most famous, it is called Maiko. These are apprentice geisha and this stage can last for years. Maiko learn from their onee-san mentor and follow them around to all their engagements. The onee-san teaches her maiko everything about working in the hanamachi "flower towns" (this is just what the geisha world called the areas that house okiya) the onee-san's teaching is vital. She will teach her proper ways of serving tes, playing shamisen (think guitar), dancing, and the casual talk of conversation. The onee-san will even help pick the maiko's new professional name. This stage can last up to five years but after this stage the maiko is promoted to a full-fledged geisha and charges full price for her time.
Geisha are often hired to attend parties and gatherings, traditionally at tea house "Ochaya" or at traditional Japanses restaurants "Ryotei". Their time is measured by the time it takes and incense stick to burn, this is called "Hanadai" meaning flower fees.
Customers will make arrangements through the geisha union office "kenban" which keeps each geisha's schedule and makes her appointments both for entertaining and for training.
Training begins at a very young stage and other some girls were sold to the geisha houses "Okiya" as childern most were the daughters of geisha brought up to be the successor "atotori" of their mother.
1. The first stage of a Geisha is called Shikomi. In this stage the young girls would be put to work as maids, or do everything they are told. It is a stage that has the intent of making or breaking the girl. The most junior shikomi of the house would wait up at night for the most senior geisha to return from engagements, this was sometimes as late as two or three am. Shikomi would also have to attend classes at the hanamachi's geisha school.
To progress to the next level Shikomi must be proficient with the geisha arts and pass a final exam which is a dance.
2. Second stage of Geisha is called Minarai, these girls are relieved of the housekeeping duties and focus of training in the field. They attend ozashiki (banquets in which guests are attend by geisha) but the do no participate at an advanced level. Their kimono is the most elaborate out of all the stages for it is intended to do all the talking for them. Usually have an onee-san "older sister" who they will follow around and attend parties with. This last only about a month or so
3. The third stage of training is the most famous, it is called Maiko. These are apprentice geisha and this stage can last for years. Maiko learn from their onee-san mentor and follow them around to all their engagements. The onee-san teaches her maiko everything about working in the hanamachi "flower towns" (this is just what the geisha world called the areas that house okiya) the onee-san's teaching is vital. She will teach her proper ways of serving tes, playing shamisen (think guitar), dancing, and the casual talk of conversation. The onee-san will even help pick the maiko's new professional name. This stage can last up to five years but after this stage the maiko is promoted to a full-fledged geisha and charges full price for her time.
Geisha are often hired to attend parties and gatherings, traditionally at tea house "Ochaya" or at traditional Japanses restaurants "Ryotei". Their time is measured by the time it takes and incense stick to burn, this is called "Hanadai" meaning flower fees.
Customers will make arrangements through the geisha union office "kenban" which keeps each geisha's schedule and makes her appointments both for entertaining and for training.