25 definitions by mimosa 'mineko iwasaki'

Onesan

In the world of geisha, the word onesan (pronounced oh-neh-sahn) means 'older sister'. Every maiko (apprentice geisha) has an onesan. When a maiko has her misedashi (formal debut) she goes through san san kudo. San san kudo is a binding ceremony, where a maiko and geiko (geisha) are legally bound as sisters. A maiko's onesan gives her advice and helps her in the complicated world of geisha. A maiko's onesan is always in the same hanamachi (geisha district).

Right now I am only a minarai, but when I have my misedashi, I will be formally bound with my onesan.

by mimosa 'mineko iwasaki' January 12, 2007

okasan

1. Japanese word for Mother.

2. The owner or proprietress of an okiya. Always female. The maiko and geiko always call her Okasan (mother) out of respect.

Okasan greeted the maiko and geiko as they came inside her okiya.

by mimosa 'mineko iwasaki' January 11, 2007

Okasan

1. Japanese word for Mother.

2. The owner or proprietress of an okiya. Always female. The maiko and geiko always call her Okasan (mother) out of respect.

Okasan greeted the maiko and geiko as they came inside her okiya.

by mimosa 'mineko iwasaki' January 17, 2007

gei

The Japanese word for art. Every geisha, geiko, maiko, or taikomochi has one or more gei. (Note: the word gei, is not pluralized, because it is of Japanese origin. Japanese words have no plural form.)

I am going to the Inoue School to study my gei, mai dance.

by mimosa 'mineko iwasaki' January 9, 2007

-chan

Affectionate and personal Japanese suffix, attached to a shortened version of one's personal name. In Japan, one never does this to anyone above them, only those lower or equal.

My name is Mineko, but Okasan(Mother) calls me Mine-chan.

by mimosa 'mineko iwasaki' January 15, 2007

okiya

A lodging house specifically for geisha. The inhabitants may include: Okasan (Mother, owner, proprietress), Geiko, Maiko, Shikomi, and Maids and/or Cook. Contrary to popular belief, men (except priests and dressers) are not allowed inside the okiya. Sexual relations in an okiya is frowned upon and rare.

When the two maiko finished class, they returned home to the okiya.

by mimosa 'mineko iwasaki' January 8, 2007

Diamond Dog

Courtesan/Can Can Dancer at the 19th Century dance club, Moulin Rouge.

Nini legs in the Air is a Diamond Dog.

by mimosa 'mineko iwasaki' January 15, 2007