Experience Geisha Culture

Kyoto Geisha (Geiko & Maiko)

In Kyoto, geisha are formally called geiko, and apprentice geiko are called maiko. Geiko are professional entertainers, trained in various traditional Japanese arts such as dance and music, they are also trained in the art of communication, in a tradition that goes back centuries.

Kyoto is home to five geisha districts known as hanamachi (flower towns), namely Miyagawa-cho Kabu-kai, Ponto-cho Hanamachi, Gion Kobu, Gion Higashi Kabu-kai and Kamishichiken Kabu-kai. Collectively they are called gokagai (5 flower towns).

Geiko and maiko live in special houses called okiya, located in the geiko districts. In Kyoto, young aspiring geiko would typically move to an okiya from around 15 years of age to begin rigorous training in traditional arts and communication. After an introductory training and examination, only the really talented and determined will be able to continue on to become a maiko and eventually, some years later, to become a geiko.

Their work is to attend guests during meals, banquets and other occasions and make guests feel at ease with conversation, drinking games and dance performances. Customarily, these special dinners take place in Kyoto's tea houses, known as ochaya in the geiko districts. Ochaya are extremely exclusive places with a very particular and traditional way of doing business. Due to the way they operate they only grant entry to known and trusted customers and are not open to everyone. This exclusivity has preserved a sense of mystery around geiko culture and practices.

About the Tea house venue

Tantsuru is a traditional tea house and has been a fixture in Kyoto since the establishment of the Ponto-cho geisha district. According to the fifth-generation current owner, who was informed of the lineage by his parents and grandparents, it was built around 1750. As much of Ponto-cho area was swept away by the Kamo River flood in 1935 there are no official records.

Many areas in Kyoto were burnt down and rebuilt after the great fire of 1864, however, Ponto-cho was not destroyed by the inferno and retains many original old buildings. Around 1871 (150 years ago) most of the streets and buildings in Kyoto City were renovated, but the buildings in Ponto-cho were left as they were in the Edo period (1603 – 1868) and are still preserved and used today.

Tantsuru is one of only three truly traditional tea houses operating in the Ponto-cho area and is usually only frequented by regular clients. Luxury Tours Japan is able to open this very special place to an international audience through exclusive virtual visits.

Website: www.theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au

Website: http://www.kyoto.travel

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