A Short Guide To The Insights Of The Life Of A Maiko

Not too long ago, Netflix released a very heartwarming series called The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House (舞妓さんちのまかないさん). If you need something light and nice, check out this 9-episode show about a friendship fairytale between a maiko and a makanai. I’d rather zip my lips for now so as not to spoil the magic, but here is a trailer and a short introduction to what a maiko is.

What is a Maiko

A “maiko” (舞妓), which translates to dancing child, is a person who works as an apprentice of a geisha in the Kyoto area and she is often between the ages of 15 and 20. She spends around five to eight years in training to refine her talents in playing the shamisen and other entertainment skills before graduating to become a geisha or a geiko.

The appearance of a Maiko

• Natural hair is styled in a "shinobu" style decorated with "kanzashi" (hair ornaments).
• Has a visible strip of unpainted skin at the hairline.
• Eyes are outlined in red and black; eyebrows are colored in red or pink.
• Dresses in an intricate kimono with vibrant long sleeves and a long, colorful obi belt.
• Walks in “okobo” (おこぼ), wooden sandals about 10 to 15 cm high with bells.

When does a Maiko work

In the morning, a maiko takes classes at the “kaburenjo” to learn traditional Japanese arts like calligraphy, tea ceremony, and dance. In the afternoon, she gets ready for her evening appointments. Normally, her first "ozashiki" (gathering) begins at six o'clock, and the last one ends at midnight.