Meet Maikos, traditional female artists of Kyoto

When I came to Kyoto, I fell in love with this charismatic place. Not just for the reason that you can explore 1 000 temples and feel the smell of the incense everywhere you go. But also, for the fact that I met Maikos the first time.

Like many Westerners, I was misguided in believing that Maiko were Geisha - and most importantly, I did not understand that they are actually artists.

So what does it mean to be a Maiko?

Maiko are selected at primary school age by elders for appearing beautiful and displaying charisma. Maiko are educated in specialised schools in the art of Tea Ceremony, Dance, Music and Etiquette.

So what does it mean to be Maiko?

Maiko girls were selected in their young age by elders. Simply, if you were beautiful or possess some charisma, you would be chosen to become Maiko. After that, you have to go to a special school, where you would learn Art, tea ceremony, dance and the playing of instruments. Also, you would have to take classes in how to behave in a higher social class.

If you were Maiko, you would have to wear an expensive silk Kimono, white makeup and a special hairstyle.

After many years of apprenticeship, they are able to perform.

Most performances take place in expensive restaurants and theatres and include the serving of sake (Japanese Rice Wine).

Is it not interesting?

Maikos, are all about Art, polite manners and traditions.

You can barely see the various facial expressions of the Maikos and I guess that also comes from their teaching.

On the street, I met many women with the kimonos and makeup, but after while I realised, they are just tourists, who want to look like Maikos.

It is kind of tourist attraction, here in Kyoto. Everyone wants to look like them.

And it is actually very difficult to take pictures of the real Maikos especially taking pictures of their expensive clothes and makeup which they do not want to show. So whenever you see Maikos (especially before dusk , when they go to perform), you should be polite and ask them about taking a photograph first. Also,you have bear in mind, that they are very busy women, who work all day.

I was lucky and took a few pictures of the real Maiko.