When a Shikomi studies.

Presentation:

-Hair is worn upswept and short.

-Light everyday makeup.

-Kimono sleeves are worn short, no hikizuri skirt. Obi is otaiko style and worn low.

-No kanzashi.

-Collar is white and unembroidered.

-Zouri and geta, any colour straps.

Deeply talented in the art of music, jikata geiko works tirelessly to hone her skills.

Level 4 Geisha:

After a period as short as six months (in Tokyo) or as long as five years (in Kyoto), the maiko is promoted to a full-fledged geisha, and charges full price for her time. Geisha remain as such until they retire.

Presentation:

-Hair is worn in the taka shimada style.

-Bright white oshiroi makeup with both lips painted fully.

-Kimono sleeves are worn short. Obi is otaiko style and worn low.

-Kanzashi on special occasions.

-Collar is fully embroidered white.

-Zouri or geta, any colour straps.

Dedicated to the art of dance, a tachikata geiko mentors young maiko in the Okiya.

Presentation:

-Hair is worn in the Sakkou style.

-White oshiroi makeup with both lips painted fully.

-Crane, pine and tortoiseshell kanzashi - the heirlooms of the Okiya.

-Crested kimono with long sleeves, lower obi and tied obiage.

-A red collar with shot gold is worn.

-Black okobo.

Nearly 21 years old now, a maiko will wear a special outfit in the two weeks before erikae.

Presentation:

-Hair styles will vary according to season and time in rank.

-White oshiroi makeup with both lips painted fully.

-Seasonal comb and kanzashi worn, typically one large blossom.

-Kimono sleeves are worn long, obi is worn lower and obiage is tied.

-Collar is heavy with white embroidery.

-Okobo with any colour straps.

Closer and closer to the end of her maiko career, a yon maiko will go through many hairstyles on her way to Sakkou.

Presentation:

-Hair is worn in the ofuku style, with changes on special occasions.

-White oshiroi makeup with both lips fully painted.

-Seasonal kanzashi worn, mainly in bunches of three.

-Kimono sleeves and obi are worn long. Obiage is now tied.

-Collar is thickly embroidered with white in front.

-Okobo with any colour straps.

The first senior maiko rank. A san maiko enjoys more freedom in the Okiya and changes her dress accordingly.

Presentation:

-Her hair is worn in the Wareshinobu style.

-White oshiroi makeup with both lips painted, nearly full.

-Seasonal kanzashi worn in bunches rather than dangling.

-Kimono sleeves and obi are worn long.

-Collar is mostly white with some red left in front.

-Okobo with red straps.

Growing more mature and lovely, a nin Maiko is very busy with ozashiki and events.

Presentation:

-Her hair is worn in the Wareshinobu style.

-White oshiroi makeup. Her bottom lip is painted and a hint of the top aswell.

-Seasonal kanzashi worn with the ‘shidare’ or draping option.

-Collar is mostly red with silver embroidery.

-Okobo with red straps.

The second stage of a Maiko’s training. She begins to paint her upper lip and advances in her training.

Presentation:

-Hair is worn in the Wareshinobu style.

-White oshiroi makeup and a red bottom lip.

-Seasonal kanzashi worn with the ‘shidare’ or draping option.

-Kimono sleeves and obi are worn long.

-Collar is mostly red with some silver embroidery.

-Okobo with red straps.

In the first stage of Junior Maiko training, a han maiko personifies youth and beauty.

Level 3 Maiko:

After a short period of time, the third (and most famous) stage of training begins, called maiko. Maiko are apprentice geisha, and this stage can last for years.(few months on SL) Maiko learn from their senior geisha mentor and follow them around to all their engagements. The onee-san/imouto-san (junior) relationship is important. Since the onee-san teaches her maiko everything about working in the hanamachi, her teaching is vital. She will teach her proper ways of serving tea, playing shamisen, and dancing, casual conversation and more. The onee-san will even help pick the maiko’s new professional name with kanji or symbols related to her own name.