Kyoto Geiko, night, Miyagawa-cho
posted August 26, 2003
I believe that the white-collared kimono layered underneath indicates that a maiko has advanced to the rank of “geigi.”
I believe that the white-collared kimono layered underneath indicates that a maiko has advanced to the rank of “geigi.”
The collar is actually red, embroidered in white and silver. The hairstyle is either the ofuku or possibly wareshinobu style and is created with the maiko’s own hair. Her many hair ornaments (including the dangling silver one)and her makeup also make me believe she is a maiko and not yet a geiko. A maiko uses more red at the eyes and leaves a line of skin showing around her hairline. Because she wears the ofuku hairstyle and her collar is covered in embroidery, I think she has been a maiko for several years and will soon graduate to geiko status. At that point she will wear a totally white collar, a more subdued kimono and a wig with few ornaments. Her makeup will change as well.
It is my hope that there will always be maiko and geiko in Kyoto, for it would be a shame for these artists to disappear.
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