#Arai okiya

[missmyloko]

Hi Justine,

I had an encounter with a Japanese person who hates the geisha world because of Kiyoha’s tweets, and I feel I could have responded better.

Is it ok to ask your opinion/advice? If not, please feel free to ignore my ask and I’ll understand.

I was at a reading group and I’m reading Arai Mameji’s autobiography. When I shared what I was reading, the Japanese person in our group said she hates the geisha world because they sell young girls to powerful men. I said that isn’t true, not anymore at least, and then she brought up Kiyoha’s tweets.

I got really thrown off and wasn’t sure what to say. I said I did get really upset when that news came out, and that it’s hard when you’re in an industry where the clients include politicians and rich, powerful men.

But I also said I’ve been to maiko events where the owner of the restaurant was there at all times, the guests were a mix of men and women, and the maiko were perfectly safe.

I also said that at least thanks to Kiyoha’s tweets, girls who decide to become maiko will do so with open eyes.

The facilitator of the group asked me what do I like about maiko, and I was so thrown that I couldn’t articulate it properly. I said I admire how hard they work to perfect their craft, and i love the beautiful kimono they wear. But when I expounded on how hard they work, I realized I was describing an environment that makes it easy to cover up abuse—no cellphones, only seeing their families at New Year, so I felt awkward again.

So I left that reading group with an icky feeling, and I also felt misunderstood. Though the facilitator was still nice and said he hoped to see me next time.

So, if I have a similar encounter, how can I respond without feeling like I’m defending abuse? 😰

Their environment is traditional, which can make it seem like it's an "easy" place to hide abuse, but that same environment is one that looks out for its own above all, which makes it much safer than one would think. Being in the karyukai really is like being in a secret club, whether you're a geimaiko or a customer you're vetted thoroughly before you enter, and if you go against the grain you're shown the door. It's also a world run by women who truly treat their charges like their own daughters (in 99% of cases anyway), so you know that they don't take abuse or the accusation of abuse laying down. The biggest thing to remember is that, unlike in the past, girls are free to choose the life of a geimaiko and can also leave at anytime without the fear of repercussions, so no one is going into the profession as a slave or has to endure any abuse of any kind. The girls who do this kind of hard work (and it is hard, which is why it's so admirable) are dedicated to the arts and improving themselves, which makes them such bosses. The girls who enter just to wear pretty kimono are quickly weeded out as they can't keep up with the training, but those who triumph have names that are known the world over. As to why you probably admire geimaiko, that's a fairly easy thing to articulate once you sit down and realize what they do. These women buck social norms as they say "no" to traditional gender roles and become the ones who wield power over men. They study the arts that they want, keep schedules that are pretty steady (and can then make their own schedules when they become jimae), and eventually buy whatever they want (and even when they live at the okiya they pretty much want for not). Not only that, but they are power brokers and diplomats for some of the most powerful people on the planet. It takes a special kind of strength to be a geimaiko, and those who succeed in living that life are bad asses. I mean, where else can you be a single mother earning a six figure salary, wear the best clothing, and meet people from across the globe on a nightly basis? In a society where traditional gender norms shape so much of what people can and can't do, geimaiko basically say "screw that" to everything. What happened to Kiyoha was horrible and can't be ignored, which is why the karyukai is starting to take action against that kind of behavior happening again. The good eggs look out for their own, like the events that you've gone to, and this is true in the vast majority of cases. I mean, no system is perfect and there will always be bad apples, but you can't look at Kiyoha's experience and say that the entire profession is like that or that it's tainted beyond repair because of what one girl went through. Anything worth fighting for requires effort, and it's up to people like us to put in the effort to help dispel the myths surrounding geimaiko so that this wonderful profession can continue to thrive in the future, hopefully with the necessary changes being made to ensure that it becomes a safer environment for all involved ^^

[oiran-geisha]

Oirangeisha’s high hopes for the 2018 girls.

I told you my opinion and my hopes on my new favorite girls who have had their misedashi this year. It’s not very objective because I don’t speak about some of them. Also this is just a quick opinion nothing too serious I don’t claim to know those girls.

1/Mizuno from Fukushima okiya (GK) and debuted march 4th 2018. I really enjoyed seeing Mizuno blossom this year and with such a good onesan as Fumino I think this girl is well set for a sucessful career! She does have a lovely look which make me wait for her pictures always! (Source)

2/Mameyo of Arai okiya (GK) debuted march 7th 2018. I’m reeeally into her ! Her okiya is know to recruit talented dancer and she surely is one of them! And with Mameroku as onesan (which im glad she have the opportunity to have that role) Mameyo can only progress! (Source)

3/Kanochiyo (l) and Kanohisa (r) from Kanoya okiya (GH) debuted october 4th 2018. Im always hyped for new Gion Higashi’s girls and those two look adorable! I wish them the best of luck and im sure they will shine! (Source)

4/Ichigiku from the Ichi okiya (K) debuted october 24th 2018. I love to see new face at Ichi okiya ! And having such a prestigious onesan as Umegiku could only serve this lovely young lady! And what a lovely face im looking forward to see her progress! (Source)

5/Ichisumi from Yamaguchi okiya (P) debuted january 8th 2018. She is the imouto of Ichisayo who is a geiko that i love! So i can only root for the little sister you know! And she does have a lovely “pontocho like” silhouette and look! (Source)

[taisakuraokiya-blog]

กุมภาพันธ์ 2561: เกโกะ Mameroku (โอกิยะ Arai) จากเขต Gion Kobu ในจังหวัด Kyoto

Source: gion-hayakawa on Ameblo

[geimei]

January 2019: Sisters Geiko Mameroku and Maiko Mameyo (Arai Okiya) of Gion Kobu leaving the Masuume Ochaya during their Shigyoushiki rounds

Source: momiji on Instagram

[geisha-kai]

Sum up of erikae 2017: 

1. Hisamomo of the Tanmika okiya in Pontocho;

2. Katsuhina of the Odamoto okiya in Gion Kobu;

3. Mameroku of the Arai okiya in Gion Kobu;

4. Satoharu of the Kawahisa okiya in Miyagawacho;

5. Katsuna of the Daimonji okiya in Kamishichiken;

6. Katsue of the Odamoto okiya in Gion Kobu;

7. Toshisumi of the Komaya okiya in Miyagawacho;

8. Mikako of the Nishimura okiya in Gion Kobu.

[kanzashi-yume]

Kanzashi Gatsu - 21th April - Miyako Odori no uchiwa 「かんざ四月」- 四月二十一日 - 都をどりの団扇 The idea to include this kanzashi this month comes from my friend Youandi from @floatingsakura thank you for suggesting it! There is only one maiko kanzashi set in existance that I am aware of at the moment of this unusual April design and it’s owned by Arai okiya and I’m always really excited when it gets worn again! #kanzashi #tsumamizaiku #Japan #instacraft #hair #Japan #KanzashiGatsu #KanzashiYume #簪 #髪飾り #着物 #舞妓 #かんざ四月 #簪夢 #つまみ細工 #ハンドメイド #コサージュ #手作り #うちわ #都をどり #みやこをどり #京都 #祇園

[eyesofwater]

FC LIST!

so i decided to compile a list of actresses that you’ve seen me use since the beginning of this blog, up until now. i’m also adding three new face claims in order to be as both culturally accurate and as historically accurate as possible. plus, this allows for flexibility when writing out different threads in my various verses. NOTE: IT HAS TAKEN OVER 3 YEARS TO COME UP WITH THIS LIST AND I’VE BEEN HESITANT TO POST THIS.

zhang ziyi as sayuri nitta / chiyo sakamoto: canon geisha verses, historical geisha verses & modern geisha/non-geisha verses.

umeha-san from umeno okiya (an actual geisha): real life basis for sayuri based off of an actual geisha.

chiaki kuriyama as maiko ebina: college verse(s), harry potter verse.

suzuka ohgo as chiyo sakamoto / photoshoot pics: young chiyo across all verses.

miu arai as young naotora ii / towa: young chiyo sakamoto preceding sayuri as an onna-bugeisha or an assasin.

ko shibasaki as naotorao ii: sayuri during period threads wherein sayuri is not a geisha and instead is either an onna-bugeisha or an assassin.

naomi zaizen as chika ii: older sayuri in canon / historical verses.

ayame from the manga ReVeRsAl: primary animated face claim.

iwa tamiya from the anime ayakashi: japanese classical horror: secondary animated face claim.

unknown character from the anime ayakashi: japanese classical horror: also secondary animated face claim 

chihiro ogino / sen from hayao miyazaki’s film spirited away: little chiyo’s animated face claim.

[geimei]

February 2019: Maiko Mameyo (Arai Okiya) of Gion Kobu performing at the Gion Corner Theater.

Source: ubadillo on Instagram

[taisakuraokiya-blog]

พฤษภาคม 2562: ไมโกะ Mameyo (โอกิยะ Arai) จากเขต Gion Kobu ในจังหวัด Kyoto

ไมโกะรุ่นน้องจะแต่งกายด้วยปกกิโมโนสีแดงที่มีลวดลายสีขาว สำหรับไมโกะที่เพิ่งเริ่มงานปีแรกจะทาปากสีแดงเฉพาะริมฝีปากล่าง แล้วเริ่มทาทั้งริมฝีปากบนและล่างในปีต่อๆ ไป และทำผมทรง Wareshinobu (割れしのぶ) ด้วยผมจริงของเธอ ส่วนของเครื่องประดับ ปิ่นรูปดอกไม้ตามฤดูกาลที่เสียบอยู่บริเวณผมด้านซ้ายของไมโกะรุ่นน้องมักเป็นดอกเล็กจำนวนหลายดอก อาจมีกลีบดอกไม้ห้อยลงมาเป็นสายสำหรับไมโกะที่เพิ่งเริ่มงานปีแรก และตรงมวยผมจะสวมเครื่องประดับผมรูปดอกไม้หลายดอกที่เข้ากับปิ่นที่ผมด้านซ้าย

Source: geishakai on Instagram

[taisakuraokiya-blog]

พฤษภาคม 2562: ไมโกะ Mameyo (โอกิยะ Arai) จากเขต Gion Kobu กำลังร่ายรำพร้อมกับพัดคู่

พัดญี่ปุ่นสำหรับรำ (舞扇: Mai Ougi) ประกอบไปด้วยแผ่นไม้บางๆ 10 ชิ้น ประกบติดกับกระดาษแบบหนาที่นิยมวาดลวดลายสัญลักษณ์ประจำตระกูลหรือลวดลายแบบอื่นที่มีความหลากหลาย และออกแบบเองโดยศิลปิน โดยทั่วไป พัดพับประเภทนี้จะมีความแตกต่างจากพัดทั่วไปสำหรับฤดูร้อน หรือที่เรียกว่า Sensu (扇子) โดย Sensu จะมีขนาดเล็กและมีน้ำหนักที่เบากว่า Mai Ougi นอกจากนี้ชาวญี่ปุ่นยังให้ความเคารพ Mai Ougi โดยใช้พัดประเภทนี้มาประกอบการร่ายรำเท่านั้น ไม่นำมา��ัดจริงๆ เพื่อคลายร้อนเหมือน Sensu

Source: bomgil_ on Instagram

[geimei]

January 2019: Sisters Geiko Mameroku and Maiko Mameyo (Arai Okiya) of Gion Kobu leaving an ochaya during Hatsuyori.

Hatsuyori takes place every 13th of January in Gion Kobu, and is a formal new year’s greeting. All Maiko and Geiko wear iromontsuki, formal, colorful kimono with three crests (as opposed to kuromontsuki, black kimono with five crests) and give their thanks to their local okiya and ochaya, and also the head of their dance school, Yachiyo Inoue V.

Source: gaaom707 - Blog

[geimei]

November 2018: Maiko Mameyo (Arai Okiya) of Gion Kobu performing at the Gion Corner.

Arai is known to pick girls with a special talent for dancing, and their Maiko often perform at the Gion Corner!

Source: huiqing.ng on Instagram

[taisakuraokiya-blog]

ธันวาคม 2559: ไมโกะ Memeroku (โอกิยะ Arai) จากเขต Gion Kobu ในจังหวัด Kyoto

Source: h_kimu05 on Instagram

[geimei]

July 2018: Geiko Mameroku (Arai Okiya) and Geiko Masaki (Minoyae Okiya) of Gion Kobu at the Yasaka Shrine during Miyabi-Kai.

Source: K.W.C. Photo - Blog

[taisakuraokiya-blog]

มกราคม 2560: ไมโกะ Mameroku, และไมโกะ Mamechika (โอกิยะ Arai) จากเขต Gion Kobu ในวัน Hatsuyori

ในวัน Hatsuyori ไมโกะและเกโกะจะสวมกิโมโนและโอบิที่มีสีสันสดใสที่สุด แต่เนื่องจากไมโกะ Mameroku อยู่ในช่วง Sakkou คือกำลังจะได้เลื่อนขั้นเป็นเกอิชาเต็มตัว เธอจึงต้องสวมกิโมโนทางการ (กิโมโนสีดำ โอบิสีทอง และเครื่องประดับผมรูปกิ่งสนและนกกระเรียน) ตามธรรมเนียมของเขต Gion Kobu

Source: KWC Photo on Exblog

[taisakuraokiya-blog]

มกราคม 2560: ไมโกะ Mameroku (โอกิยะ Arai) จากเขต Gion Kobu ในช่วง Sakkou

ผมทรง Sakkou (先笄) เป็นผมทรงสุดท้ายสำหรับไมโกะ ก่อนจะได้เลื่อนขั้นขึ้นเป็นเกโกะ ซึ่งก็คือเกอิชาอย่างเต็มตัวภายใน 2 สัปดาห์หลังจากเริ่มเปลี่ยนมาทำผมทรงนี้ แล้วเปลี่ยนจากการทำผมด้วยผมจริง มาสวมผมปลอมทรง Shimada (島田) แบบเกโกะในเกียวโต ซึ่งทรงผมญี่ปุ่นโบราณทรงนี้เป็นทรงที่ซับซ้อน สวยงาม และทำยากที่สุดของไมโกะ บริเวณมวยผมของผมทรงนี้มีความซับซ้อนและมีปลายผมยื่นออกมา ซึ่งคืนก่อนพิธีเปลี่ยนปกกิโมโน (衿替え: Erikae) คุณแม่ผู้ดูแลโอกิยะ (お母さん: Okaasan) และไมโกะเกโกะที่สนิทกันจะเป็นผู้ตัดปลายผมนี้เป็นเชิงสัญลักษณ์ว่าต่อไปนี้ไมโกะคนนั้นจะไม่มีผมยาวสำหรับทำผมด้วยผมจริงอีกต่อไป และต้องเปลี่ยนไปสวมผมปลอมแทน

Source: takaya_1960 on Instagram