Traditional female entertainers in Japan’s ancient capital of Kyoto have exchanged early New Year greetings.
In Kyoto’s Gion district, December 13 is regarded as the day for starting preparations for the coming year. Professional female entertainers known as geiko and their apprentices, known as maiko, offer greetings to their teachers every year on the day.
Geiko and maiko in colorful kimono visited their dance teacher Inoue Yachiyo at her rehearsal room in Higashiyama Ward. She is the leader of the Inoue school of Kyoto’s traditional dance and a living national treasure.
One by one, the students wished their teacher a happy New Year and asked for her continued support.
In response, Inoue gave them words of encouragement and celebratory folding fans.
The room was decorated with about 50 sets of New Year rice cake decorations.
A maiko named Maho, who made her debut in June, said she is still at the lowest rank, but is determined to work hard to be a good example for those becoming maiko next year.
AloJapan.com