Definitions by Mimosa 'Mineko Iwasaki'
Iwasaki Mineko
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.
Iwasaki Mineko by Mimosa 'Mineko Iwasaki' December 10, 2008
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.
Onesan by Mimosa 'Mineko Iwasaki' December 10, 2008
Ochaya
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.
Ochaya by Mimosa 'Mineko Iwasaki' December 10, 2008
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.
Onesan by Mimosa 'Mineko Iwasaki' December 9, 2008
Maiko
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)
Maiko by Mimosa 'Mineko Iwasaki' December 9, 2008
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.
Onesan by Mimosa 'Mineko Iwasaki' December 9, 2008
Maiko
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)
Maiko by Mimosa 'Mineko Iwasaki' December 9, 2008