Meeting a True Maiko and Geiko in Kyoto

I created a video to document our unforgettable evening we spent with a Maiko and Geiko (aka Geisha), showcasing the traditional Japanese dance, listening to the music being played from the Shamisen (a traditional three string lute instrument).
The Japanese culture and traditions are admired from many people around the world, I hope you are able to see the beauty of the arts in which Maiko's & Geiko's are taught to perform taking many years to master and the challenges they face in pursuit of this lifestyle.
One day, I hope you too will be able to experience this amazing Kyoto tradition.
Read more about my Japan trips over on my blog:
suprajen888.blogspot.co.uk/
Find me on instagram: 'SUPRAJEN888'
Google + Suprajen888

[@wizzardofpaws2420]

They are so exquisitly beautiful.

[@Viv8ldi]

Maikos look always very serious with their one lip make up

[@Frank-mm2yp]

Once the MAIKO completes her first year of training she gets to put lipstick on her upper lip. She also loses the "dangler" ornament on the left side of her face. If this MAIKO is still a geisha today she is most likely a professional GEIKO by now.

[@Viv8ldi]

@@Frank-mm2yp Thank you

[@saifavalentina]

Dream I have, meet a real Geiko and Maiko

[@garlicgirl3149]

Lovely!

[@SuperShinkazu]

How envious I am. Please, how did you manage to get this ozashiki with them? I plan to do the same. Fukumari looks soooooo amazing as geiko. Koyoshi is still a cutie.

[@simplyjen888]

+Makoto Rocha I have written my experience in my blog about meeting a Maiko and Geiko. Feel free to have a read if you wish for further details. suprajen888.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/kyoto-diary-meeting-true-geiko-japan.html
Private Geisha entertainment is often very expensive and access to them is quite restricted unless you have personal contacts with geisha houses. But there are a few alternatives you can try. A very well organised one is the the Kyoto Cuisine and Maiko Evening run by Gion Hatanaka. Please visit my blog for further details. You email the ryokan directly so you can liaise directly with the organisers to plan your visit. I hope this helps.

[@AThousandTales]

Cool video! I assume you went to Gion Hatanaka? I'm so jealous of you - I hope to go there too someday... :3
Just a small note: the geiko's name is not Kubumari, but Fukumari. ^^ The elderly lady with them is also a geiko, but one who specializes in musical instruments and singing. Her name is Takae. Just so you know.

[@simplyjen888]

+AThousandTales Thanks for letting me know about the names! To be honest, I thought it sounded like Kubumari as the host spoke quite fast! I am quite intrigued as to how you know so much (because you said you've not been to Gion Hatanaka). You must have watched many TY vids, huh? :)

[@AThousandTales]

+Suprajen You're quite welcome! ^^ As to your question how I know them: there is quite a large fanbase of maiko and geiko on the internet, where people keep track of who-is-who in the (mostly Kyoto) geisha world. Every year (often in spring) the geisha districts hold their own public dance shows, where pretty much all of the maiko and geisha of those districts participate in. Programs of these events containing pictures of the performers can be purchased at the souvenir stalls. ;)

[@TheMadSocrates]

Is this like, a big event type thing rather than a private party? I wasn't sure that was a thing.

[@user-gj4ng2bh2f]

ふく真莉さん、小よしさん　2人とも　好きな芸舞妓さんです。小よしさんと聞いたら　舞妓シアターが思い浮かびます。引退されたと　聞きましたが　芸妓になられた　ふく真莉さんは　まだ現役で宮川町に　いらっしゃるのかな?

[@morganolfursson2560]

I just wanted to add something to your description of the video when you write "listening to the music being played from the Shamisen (a traditional three string lute instrument)."
Just correct a bit to
"listening to the music being played from the Shamisen (a traditional three string lute instrument made from cat skin and dog skin , the animal being bred for that very purpose and have their spinal cord broken when they reach the age of 6 months old and then have their skin removed while they are not even dead yet ).
Don't get me wrong i am neither a hater on Japanese culture or on the Karyukai. I am married to a Japanese and my mother in law is an actual Geisha from Tokyo , third generation in her family , her mother being a former Geisha of Kyoto and so was her grand mother . So i have spent the past 15 years among Geisha Geiko and Maiko and count many as friends . But I am also a veterinarian and a huge animal rights activists , so even though i am a huge supporter of the Karyukai culture , i think it is important to spread the word about the ugly truth behind it, as nobody in Japan uses more shamisen than people in the karyukai which results in the agony and death of about 200 000 kitten and puppied every year , as the skin of a shamisen is changed very regularly. My mother in law and my Geisha friends all use synthetic skin now and refuse to be part of the slaughter .
I have nothing against you or your video , i just want to allow people to see the world of the Geisha for what it really is , both mesmerizing but with a sordid side to it as well. The more we spread the word , the more Geisha will opt for synthetic skins , and it will not diminish their mastery and beauty , if anything it will enhance it .

[@drakashrakenburgproduction5369]

Morgan Olfursson write a book already. Damn I will personally fund it

[@IGUniverse]

Thank You I know that they use Dog skin but did not know that they Also use cat skin and that they we're torture that way :( I Also support animal rigths and a musictian and refuse to use any animal skin or stuff in My instruments I try yo use sintétics, is hard ti find a sintetic shamisen there? I was serching one on internet but was not able yo find it. Before knowing Tha they have animal skin i though that the instrumen was only Made of Wooden. Thank You for sharing Your información is really good Many people specially un the karyukai should know it. I really like karyukai but can't stand that aufull behavior