Kyoto - Day 13

Cooking Class. We had a gyoza and ramen cooking class with a young woman, in her apartment, Nariko. As always cooking classes are a lot of fun. It was also fun getting the perspective of young couple living in Kyoto.

Gion Night Tour. Later, at 5:20, we had a four+ hour tour of the geisha district. Kyoto was not harmed in WWII, so the district is intact. Many of Richard’s insights are in a separate post.

But, as to Geishas, he was practical and insightful. There are still some 300 in Kyoto. They apprentice for five years as Maiko, and, if they have enough patrons, they move out of the mama-san’s place and live on their own or with other geisha. Their apprenticeship is rigorous involving music, dancing and dress and hairstyle. Although their numbers are declining, young girls still volunteer for this rigorous program where they only get to see their parents for one week a year.

They then work in member only clubs around town. There are 24 seasons in Japan, and a geisha needs a kimono for each one ($10,000 plus per).

Noteworthy, is that patrons only can be referred by an existing patron who the becomes liable for any debt incurred by their nominee. If the referring patron can’t pay, their referring patron must pay. So it’s a no- tourist kind of arrangement. Geishas retire out at between 25-35 years old and must enter a new line of work (unless married). Examples are running a mens club or seeking a beauty line.En savoir plus