How they live

A Geisha's work is never done. Most of their jobs take place at night, but they must spend their days working to improve, to become perfect.

The first step on the road to become a Geiko is to be accepted into an Okiya, or Geisha family and to move into one of the many hanamachi in Japan. Each okiya has a placard hung in the entryway with the names of the resident geiko inscribed on it. The ruling factor in a geiko's life will is her new okasan. okasan means mother, and sometimes the term is literal. Some Maiko will be legally adopted by their okasan and become an attori, the legal heir to the business. Years ago, the attori began her training when she turned 6 years, 6 months, and six days old. More recently girls are starting their training later and later in life as the focus on traditional education has increased.

A maiko will go through several stages on her way to becoming a geiko. First she will become a shikomi. Shikomi normally do chores, go to classes, practice their lessons, and help the Maiko get dressed. The shikomi stage is important as it reinforces the discipline and commitment the girl will need to survive as a maiko. At this point, she is expected to become familiar with proper kimono dressing and conduct. The time spent as a shikomi also allows the girl to become accustomed to the flowery dialect of Kyoto, and correct her behavior to be that of a proper Maiko.

After several tests in various skills, the shikomi will become a minarai. As a minarai, she will learn all her duties that there are no formal classes for, such as conversation, properly pouring drinks, and keeping the atmosphere clean and tidy. She will also begin to wear a traditional outfit and makeup, though her dangling darari obi will be worn shorter in the back. Sometime soon she will hopefully be accepted by an oneesan.

A new Maiko's biggest asset is her older sister, or oneesan. To her older sister, an imoutosan (younger sister) is a protegee. The oneesan should teach her younger sister everything she needs to know about being a geiko. Most importantly, the oneesan will pass on her connections with tea houses and patrons. The oneesan and her imoutosan will be inseparable, and have a relationship based on respect and loyalty. A ritual to bind the two together called a Sansun-kudo will be preformed. The ceremony consists of the sharing of ritual sake: the oneesan drinks a cup of sake in three sips, after which the imoutosan does the same. They do this three times, with a bigger cup than the one before. It resembles a traditional marriage ceremony and the resulting bond is expected to be strong. The new maiko will also be given a new name based on her older sisters. ex: oneesan - Haruka (spring flower) and imoutosan - Harumi (spring beauty).

Eventually, if she chooses to continue, a maiko will become a geiko. This is a major event in the hanamachi and a maiko's patrons and friends will send her congratulatory notes and gifts. The new geiko will make her rounds to all of the tea houses and such that helped her in the past to thank them and maybe bring them a special gift. It is not uncommon to see large groups of locals, geisha-watchers, and well-wishers fighting for a glimpse or photograph at both the graduation from a shikomi to maiko, and a maiko to geiko.

A mature geiko may live on her own and not in an okiya. A geiko that has a wealthy danna is especially apt for this type of living arrangement, but on occasion the rare occasion an okiya will pay rent for its star geiko. The business portion of a geiko's job (booking and money issues) is typically still run through her okiya and it will act as an agency for her until she retires.

Maiko and geiko sometimes rise later than most, but are usually up for morning classes and events. A less elaborate kimono is what she wears when doing her daily business. A geisha will spend part of nearly every day in class practicing her gei, or art. Laziness and/or disrespect are not tolerated in any of them. She must practice long and hard to perfect her movements in dance class, and learn to create harmony and balance in ikebana . She must also know the proper way to perform a tea ceremony and takes in-depth classes on this, as well. She may also learn to play the traditional drum, the shamisen, or maybe even to sing.

Like any other person, a geisha may have errands to run. She could have new Kimono to pick up or a wig at the cleaners. Geiko and Maiko often stop into the Kemban, the official office of the hanamachi, to see a schedule or check on various business information. The Kemban is in charge of booking geiko for each event and to attend ozashiki, and also handles all of the billing. As well as being crucial errands, these are also important social interactions that help her to well known and develop strong bonds with those in the community around her. If she were to anger any of the dozens of people who support her, it might take especially long to make a kimono or reset a wig.

A geiko can easily be suspended from her usual teahouse, if the mama-san feels that she and/or her ochaya have been disgraced by a certain geiko or maiko. No smart geisha would dare go to another teahouse, and no other teahouse would have her for fear of damaging even more ties within the community.

While there are infrequently events to attend during the day, typically a geiko's work starts in the evening. Though a geisha is allowed to drink while entertaining, she is seriously discouraged from eating in the presence of her patrons and is expected to eat prior to her engagements. When it is time to get ready, she prepares by putting on her makeup and having a local dresser, called otokosu, assist her in donning her kimono for the evening. When a geisha leaves the okiya, she will have an engagement to attend. Depending on the distance, a geisha may walk to her engagement, take a rickshaw, or catch a cab. Typically there are 2 or more geiko and maiko at each party or banquet, which are held at teahouses called ochaya. Geisha are expected to stay out late and often don't return to their okiya until 3 or 4 in the morning.