{{short description|Apprentice geisha in Kyoto and Western Japan}} {{other uses}} {{more citations needed|date=May 2022}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2025}} {{titlelang|ja}} [[File:Fumino misedashi full height.jpg|thumb|An apprentice geiko on the day of her {{transliteration|ja|misedashi}}, the occasion when a {{transliteration|ja|shikomi}} becomes an apprentice proper. Notice two dangling {{transliteration|ja|kanzashi}} on the sides of her hairstyle.|alt=An apprentice wearing formal black kimono and tall sandals]]
A {{nihongo||舞妓|'''maiko'''|{{IPAc-en|IPA|ˈ|m|aɪ|k|oʊ}} {{respell|MY|koh}}, {{IPA|ja|maiko|lang}}}} is an apprentice geisha (geiko in Kyoto).<ref name="bardsley">{{cite book |last1=Bardsley |first1=Jan |title=Maiko Masquerade: Crafting Geisha Girlhood in Japan |publisher=University of California Press |year=2021 |isbn=9780520968943 |location=Oakland |language=en}}</ref> Their jobs consist of performing songs, dances, and playing the {{transliteration|ja|shamisen}} or other traditional Japanese instruments for visitors during banquets and parties, known as {{transliteration|ja|ozashiki}}.
{{transliteration|ja|Maiko}} are usually aged 17 to 20, and graduate to geiko status after a period of training that includes traditional dance, the {{transliteration|ja|shamisen}}, {{nihongo3|{{lit|short songs}}||kouta}}, and, in Kyoto only, learning the Kyoto dialect. The apprenticeship ranges from a few months to a year or two years, although apprentices too old to dress as {{transliteration|ja|maiko}} may advance to geiko despite still training.
Apprentice geisha in other locations in Japan are known by other terms, such as {{nihongo3|{{lit|half jewel}}, referring to a term for a geisha's wages, 'jewel money'|半玉|hangyoku}} for apprentices in Tokyo. The traditions of apprentice geisha in these areas diverge from those in Kyoto, sometimes to a considerable degree, including an apprentice's appearance and the structure of her apprenticeship.
==Work== In the morning, {{transliteration|ja|maiko}} take lessons in the traditional arts. At night, they dance, sing, play the {{transliteration|ja|shamisen}}, and serve visitors at exclusive {{transliteration|ja|ochaya}} (teahouses).
==Origin== {{transliteration|ja|Maiko}} originated from women who served green tea and {{transliteration|ja|dango}} (Japanese dumpling made from rice flour) to visitors to the Kitano Tenman-gū or Yasaka Shrine in teahouses in Kyoto about 300 years ago.{{when|date=April 2024}}
==Appearance==
===Hair=== {{main|Nihongami#Maiko}} During their career, {{transliteration|ja|maiko}} will wear different kinds of {{transliteration|ja|nihongami}} (traditional Japanese hairstyles) depending on rank, formality and occasion. These hairstyles are then decorated with seasonal and occasional {{transliteration|ja|kanzashi}} (traditional hair ornaments).
Most {{transliteration|ja|maiko}}, unlike geisha, use their own hair with the addition of extensions, though apprentices in different areas of Japan may also use wigs. {{transliteration|ja|Maiko}} using their own hair have their hair restyled every week, requiring them to sleep on a special pillow known as a {{transliteration|ja|takamakura}} – a raised wooden block with a pillow – in order to maintain it.
===Kimono and outfit===
===={{transliteration|ja|Hikizuri}}==== Most {{transliteration|ja|maiko}} wear a style of kimono known as a {{nihongo3|{{lit|trailing skirt}}|引きずり|hikizuri}}. {{transliteration|ja|Hikizuri}} are typically anywhere from {{convert|200|–|240|cm}} long, and often feature a lightly padded hem to create weight allowing the hem to trail along the floor. When walking outside, {{transliteration|ja|maiko}} hold their {{transliteration|ja|hikizuri}} up either with their hands, or by tying it in place with a small cord so that it does not drag along the ground. The style of {{transliteration|ja|hikizuri}} worn by most {{transliteration|ja|maiko}} features long, {{transliteration|ja|furisode}}-style sleeves, and may feature tucks sewn horizontally into the sleeves and vertically along the shoulders; this is a holdover from before WWII, when {{transliteration|ja|maiko}} often began their training at a young age, and would remove the tucks as they grew.
For formal occasions, {{transliteration|ja|maiko}} wear a black {{transliteration|ja|kurotomesode}}-style {{transliteration|ja|hikizuri}} featuring 5 crests ({{transliteration|ja|kamon}}) to signify the {{transliteration|ja|okiya}} they belong to.
===={{transliteration|ja|Darari obi}}==== {{transliteration|ja|Maiko}} wearing {{transliteration|ja|hikizuri}} kimono typically wear it with an {{transliteration|ja|obi}} known as a {{nihongo3|{{lit|dangling {{transliteration|ja|obi}}}}|だらり帯|darari obi}}. The {{transliteration|ja|darari obi}} is {{convert|6|–|7|m}} long, is roughly {{convert|30|cm}} wide, and is worn exclusively by {{transliteration|ja|maiko}}. Due to its length and weight, a male dresser (known as an {{transliteration|ja|otokoshi}}) is needed to tie it; {{transliteration|ja|otokoshi}} can dress a {{transliteration|ja|maiko}} in as little as five minutes, and may dress a number of {{transliteration|ja|maiko}} each night. The crest of a {{transliteration|ja|maiko}}'s {{transliteration|ja|okiya}} is either dyed, embroidered or woven onto the end of the {{transliteration|ja|obi}}, below the {{transliteration|ja|kaikiri}} (end lines). For formal occasions, gold brocade {{transliteration|ja|darari obi}} are worn.
====Kimono==== Some {{transliteration|ja|maiko}} outside of Kyoto, and in particular in Tokyo, wear {{transliteration|ja|furisode}} instead of {{transliteration|ja|hikizuri}}. These apprentices (sometimes known as {{transliteration|ja|hangyoku}}) may also wear a wig instead of having their own hair styled.
===={{transliteration|ja|Obi}}==== {{transliteration|ja|Maiko}} outside Kyoto may also wear a {{transliteration|ja|fukuro obi}}, which is easier to tie and wear than a ''darari obi''. Apprentices in Tokyo typically tie their {{transliteration|ja|obi}} in the {{transliteration|ja|fukura suzume}} style.
==Contemporary controversies== In recent years, allegations have emerged regarding the working conditions of ''maiko'' in Kyoto's ''hanamachi'' districts, particularly concerning underage apprentices. Former ''maiko'' Kiyoha Kiritaka has reported forced alcohol consumption, coercion in mixed bathing with customers (''ofuro-iri''), and other forms of harassment.<ref>{{cite news |title=「お風呂入り」「未成年飲酒」……元舞妓が国連に訴えた驚きの内容 花街の"閉鎖的な体質"は変わるのか|url=https://dot.asahi.com/articles/-/260261?page=1 |work=TV Asahi |date=2024-05-10 |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=元舞妓が告発する花街の人権問題 |url=https://bunshun.jp/articles/-/76776 |website=Bunshun Online |date=2024-05-12 |language=ja}}</ref>
==In media== * ''The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House'', Japanese live-action television series on Netflix premiered 12 January 2023.
==Gallery== <gallery widths="300" heights="300" perrow="5"> File:Satsuki and Kyouka walking.jpg|Two Kyoto {{transliteration|ja|maiko}} walking File:Katsunosuke minarai.jpg|alt=Maiko wearing shidare kanzashi, composed by long chains of silk flowers|{{transliteration|ja|Maiko}} wearing {{transliteration|ja|shidare kanzashi}}, composed by long chains of silk flowers File:Fukuyu with willow kanzashi.jpg|alt=A maiko wearing willow hair ornaments|{{transliteration|ja|Maiko}} with willow {{transliteration|ja|kanzashi}} File:Maiko Fukuyuu dancing selection 2010.webm|(video) A {{transliteration|ja|maiko}} dancing </gallery>
== References == {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}}
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Category:Types of geisha Category:Ancient Japanese female entertainers