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' December 12, 2008
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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' January 21, 2007
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1. True Love

2. Fictional Characters in the (2001) acclaimed film, Moulin Rouge.
Satine and the Penniless Poet fell in a deep love.
by Mimosa 'Mineko Iwasaki' January 16, 2007
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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 pronouced: (my-koh)
I am a geiko of Gion Kobu, but last year I was still a maiko.
by Mimosa 'Mineko Iwasaki' December 12, 2008
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Gion Kobu

The largest hanamachi (geisha district) in Kyoto, and also in Japan. It is also the most high-class hanamachi. Iwasaki Mineko, possibly the most famous geiko, came from Gion Kobu. The famous Inoue School of Dance is in Gion Kobu. Also, the Nyokoba is here.
I practice as a geiko in Gion Kobu.
by Mimosa 'Mineko Iwasaki' January 12, 2007
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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 09, 2008
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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 10, 2007
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