by Mimosa 'Mineko Iwasaki' January 16, 2007
Japanese word for 'teahouse'. An ochaya does not serve food, but it will order it from caterers. Ochaya have many banquet rooms, called zashiki or ozashiki. Customers have after-work parties here, and hire maiko or geiko to attend as entertainers.
by Mimosa 'Mineko Iwasaki' December 10, 2008
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.
2. The owner or proprietress of an okiya. Always female. The maiko and geiko always call her Okasan (mother) out of respect.
by Mimosa 'Mineko Iwasaki' December 12, 2008
Maiko literally means 'dancer'. A maiko is an apprentice geiko (geisha). Maiko exist in Kyoto only. Maiko have an older sister, bound to them. They call their older sisters onesan. The word maiko is pronounced: (my-koh)
by Mimosa 'Mineko Iwasaki' January 21, 2007
Attachable suffix used in Japanese language, usually with proper nouns or pronouns. Most often attached to the end of a personal name or surname, but never a nickname. For nicknames, see -chan.
by Mimosa 'Mineko Iwasaki' January 16, 2007
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.
2. The owner or proprietress of an okiya. Always female. The maiko and geiko always call her Okasan (mother) out of respect.
by Mimosa 'Mineko Iwasaki' December 09, 2008
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' December 09, 2008