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' December 09, 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)

I am a geiko of Gion Kobu, but last year I was still a maiko.

by Mimosa 'Mineko Iwasaki' December 09, 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.

by Mimosa 'Mineko Iwasaki' December 10, 2008

-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 16, 2007

atotori

Heir to an okiya. An okiya is a lodging house for maiko and geiko (geisha). The owner (Okasan, or Mother) of the okiya, must adopt or give birth to a girl qualified to take over ownership of the okiya. It is one of her duties as Okasan of the okiya. The girl she gives birth to or adopts becomes the heir, or atotori.

As Okasan become older, she was frantic to secure an atotori.

by Mimosa 'Mineko Iwasaki' December 12, 2008

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 10, 2007

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.

I am going to the ochaya now, to entertain.

by Mimosa 'Mineko Iwasaki' December 10, 2008