maiko and geisha

Kyoto, Japan. The maiko (apprentice geisha) Fukuho

Together with other maiko and geiko (geisha) of the Miyagawa-cho district, Fukuho was visiting tea houses and teachers to wish them a happy new year.

Kyoto was the capital of Japan from 794 until 1868. It is now the seventh largest city in Japan. In Kyoto geisha are known as geiko and trainee geisha are known as maiko.

The maiko (apprentice geisha) Chizu walking through the Pontocho district of Kyoto, Japan on the morning of the first day of December.

The maiko (apprentice geisha) Umeraku serving tea at the Baikasai outdoor tea ceremony. Kyoto, Japan.

a smile from the maiko (apprentice geisha) Mameyuri

On her first day, a trainee geiko (the Kyoto word for geisha) is led round the tea houses of the Miyagawa-cho district to be introduced.

The lady with her is carrying a bag of flyers to announce her debut and professional name, Toshichika. Some of the flyers can be seen in her hand.

The geiko (geisha) Kimika plays the 12th century samurai warrior Tomoe Gozen in the Jidai Matsuri, one of the three big festivals of Kyoto, Japan.

Over 2,000 people, including many geiko (geisha) and maiko (apprentice geisha), wore costumes representing various eras of Kyoto’s 1,200-year history as they paraded through the city.