Osaka Geisha

Osaka Geisha, or geiko as they are referred to in Osaka and Kyoto, are entertainers specializing in music, dance, tea ceremony, and conversation. They host private parties in addition to public performances. While Kyoto is famous for their geiko and apprentice geisha maiko, geisha live and thrive in many other areas outside of Kyoto and Tokyo. Just a 45 minute train ride from Kyoto, Osaka hosts a unique geisha community. Unlike their more famous counterparts in Kyoto, the geiko of this region speak the Osaka-ben dialect.

Entertainment districts

There are four entertainment districts in Osaka where geiko (geisha) work:

Shinmachi

Horie

Kitashinchi Famous for its nightclubs, bars and late night restaurants, many business executives can be seen entertaining clients here. This district has 15 geiko, the largest number of the Osaka districts.

Nanchi (also known as Minami Shinchi or just Minami) Also famous for its nightlife, many of the establishments attract a younger crowd. This district only has one teahouse, the Tanigawa Teahouse. It has six geiko. The geiko Naozuru, Fukuzuru, and Kotsuru are the three most recent additions to their numbers.

Odori or Public Performances

The geiko of Osaka are known for their "herahera odori" or dances that feature acrobatic stunts such as handstands.

Ashibe Odori Public dance of Nanchi (Minami) geisha district. These dances began in 1888 and is performed annually for one month beginning April first.

Naniwa Odori The public dance of Shinmachi geisha district. These dances began in 1908. And like the Ahibe Odori are performed annually for one month beginning April first.

Konohana Odori The public dances of the Horie geisha district. These dances are performed annually for one month beginning March 15.

Osaka Odori

Famous Geiko of Osaka

Tsumakichi

Hailing from the Horie district, she achieved fame through tragedy. At just 17 years old, she awoke to find her housemates beheaded and her adoptive father attacking her with a samurai sword, severing her arms. She painstakingly learned to paint using a brush held between her teeth and soon found fame all over Japan for her poetry. Eventually she entered a Buddhist nunnery. Her story is documented in the book Three Geisha by Kikou Yamata

A picture of her can be found here: [1]

History

External links

Osaka Teahouse Attracts Geiko Via Blog

• [2]

A Trip To Kyoto ( with Osaka references) [3]

Sad Gay Ladies of Japan [4]