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' December 09, 2008
Get the Maiko mug.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
Get the -san mug.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' December 09, 2008
Get the Maiko mug.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
Get the Onesan mug.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
Get the Okasan mug.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
Get the Onesan mug.The most famous geiko in all of Japan. She was raised to be the atotori. She had the most publicity, and the most customers. Her yearly salary broke a record for all the maiko and geiko. Young maiko today call her legend. Mineko-san retired when she was only 29, a shock to everyone around her. She is also know as the geisha, Memoirs of a Geisha is based on. But, Arthur Golden cruelly twisted her story. So, Mineko-san wrote her own memoir, Geisha a Life, also know as Geisha of Gion. Mineko-san lives with her artist husband in a Kyoto suburb, and the two have one adult daughter.
by Mimosa 'Mineko Iwasaki' December 09, 2008
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