Experience a live interaction with a maiko. Drink
tea, asking her questions, take a photo!
Maiko are young women that must
climb up the ladder of
hierarchy to become an official geisha. These young
artists are trained for years before finally reaching their
debut as a professional geisha. They are strictly taught
under masters of different arts for many years and study
various instruments, conversation, and dance.
You can spot a maiko by paying close attention to the
details of their appearance. Firstly, their hair is
elaborately styled, and they often wear ornaments
dangling from their head. They also do not wear wigs, so
you should be able to see unpainted skin near their
hairline. In a maiko’s makeup, they will typically have
their bottom lip painted red and their eyebrows painted
red. They wear long-sleeved, colorful kimono with a wide
obi (sash) that reaches their feet and is tied into a bow in
the back. Their embroidered collar is often red, gold, or
cream colored. Maiko are often seen wearing very high
wooden sandals, also known as “okobo”. Another way to
distinct a maiko is by their age, since they are quite
younger than their counterparts, but this is not the most
accurate way to tell! Since they hold celebrity status,
maiko are only seen in the evening time and often avoid
crowded places. Maiko are also paid for their time, so
they will not be seen taking photos with tourists.
The minimum age for a girl to become a maiko is sixteen.
This means that she must have at least passed middle
school for her to begin her training. However, it is very
tough to train as a maiko. For instance, new trainees who
aim for the premier geisha level must train often and
focus on their studies. On top of learning about arts and
refineries they must master, they also have to face
adjustments to their new lifestyle. They must restrain
from having contact with their family and friends for some
time after their training begins. Habits they once had like
messaging, calling, or visiting their loved ones must now
be placed aside for their career. Of course, maiko are not
allowed to marry or have boyfriends as part of their life
decision. Consequently, their schedules are focused on
strict hours for their lessons in art, music, dance, and
other lessons that require much detail. One of the many
lessons taught focuses on traditional tea ceremony as
well.
On some of our selected tours, you will have a chance to
experience a traditional tea ceremony with a real maiko.
You will also have photo-taking opportunities and a
chance to interact with the maiko. The tea ceremony is a
basic practice that a maiko can perform for her
customers.
In conclusion, maiko are entertainers that undergo
intense training for years before they are deemed geisha.
Maiko are placed in strict conditions in order to reach
their goals with a mastery of arts to entertain their
patrons.
Please see below for tours
that include Green Tea Ceremony with Maiko Interaction:
