As part of our third day in Japan after visiting the Owaku-Dani Vallery, In Lake Ashi, Hakone we took the train back to the Kyoto Train Station and went to a Maiko Dinner and Show. Now I titled this post Geisha Dinner and Show because our Maiko was almost 6 years in training and it takes 6 years to officially be called a Geisha and so I decided to graduate her for this article.Lol In truth, all the actual “Geisha” dinners and shows were totally booked out(if you’re planning on going make sure to reserve early!!) and we wound up with a Maiko in training instead.

This again was a very educational and entertaining experience. I learned through a Q & A with Google Translate that she decided to become a Geisha at the age of 12. That she had watched a Geisha dance performance and then approached the people to ask to become one. She left High School at 15 and has been training ever since. She gets her training, room and board and clothing from the company that manages her but it’s interesting to note they own more than her talents.Lol What really took me by “big” surprise was that as part of being a Geisha that she can not marry. Yes, she can have a child but she absolutely can not marry. Hmm. Interesting…

So here are some images from the dinner and a video of our Maiko performing in what I felt was a very poetic performance.

Enjoy!

Click on image below.