Definitions by Mimosa 'Mineko Iwasaki'

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.

Atotori by Mimosa 'Mineko Iwasaki' December 9, 2008

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 danced many years ago before Prince Charles.

Iwasaki Mineko by Mimosa 'Mineko Iwasaki' December 9, 2008

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.

Okasan 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)

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

Maiko by Mimosa 'Mineko Iwasaki' January 21, 2007

-san 

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.

'Iwasaki-san? Are you coming?'

-san by Mimosa 'Mineko Iwasaki' January 16, 2007

-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.

-chan by Mimosa 'Mineko Iwasaki' January 16, 2007

Diamond Dog 

Courtesan/Can Can Dancer at the 19th Century dance club, Moulin Rouge.

Nini legs in the Air is a Diamond Dog.

Diamond Dog by Mimosa 'Mineko Iwasaki' January 16, 2007