The geisha who once performed for a privileged few are going public to boost a fading art: dinner shows, tote bags, curry ads and a Netflix series
about apprentice geisha directed by Cannes Palme d’Or winner Hirokazu Kore-eda. The Kyoto foundation isn’t directly involved, but some teahouses in Gion, the largest of Kyoto’s five geisha districts, helped with the shooting of the series, which is set for release this year.
Kyoto, which was Japan’s capital for more than 1,000 years, is a center of geisha culture with its own traditions. People here are quick to point out that geisha is the Tokyo term— that the correct Kyoto word is, or maiko houses, which bring teenage girls from across the country to train as maiko. They can be seen in the evening walking to work in their elaborate chignons, white face makeup, kimonos and wooden clogs.
Ms. Takeyoshi, the former geisha, recalls how extravagant the business was when she started her career in 1989, the peak of Japan’s “bubble economy.” She said she was so busy that she could hardly get home until the morning. Some patrons grabbed a wad of bills out of their wallets to tip her.Many teahouses in Kyoto’s geisha districts were closed under Covid-19 restrictions.Kenji Miyamoto, 51, a sales manager for a Kyoto manufacturing company, started patronizing a teahouse several years ago.
Even before the pandemic, travel agents arrange maiko performing events on a small scale, typically at restaurants for tourists. The pandemic added to the trade’s problems, especially during periods when the government was restricting operations of nighttime establishments. She said she did her best to keep a “mysterious vibe” while pitching the product. “We should be mindful of maintaining our dignity.”Kyoto Traditional Musical Art Public Foundation
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