- Hanamachi
A hanamachi (花街) is a
Japan esecourtesan andgeisha district. The word's literal meaning is "flower town". Such districts would contain various "okiya " (geisha houses). Nowadays, the term "hanamachi" is commonly used in modern Japan to refer to the areas where modern-day geisha are still operating. In Kyoto'sGion district, however, the older term "kagai" [花街, an alternate pronunciation of the same "kanji ".] is still in use. Alternatively, "kagai" can be used to refer to licensedred-light district s, which contained restaurants, "okiya", and "ochaya" (tea houses where geisha would entertain customers)."Hanamachi" typically contained a number of "okiya" and "ochaya", along with a "
kaburenjo "; the "kabunrenjo" was a meeting place for geisha, usually with a theatre, rooms where geisha classes can be held, and the "kenban" offices, which dealt with geisha's pay, regulation and similar matters. Gion also has a vocational school, called "Nyokoba ". Many of the teachers there are designated as Living National Treasures. Today, "hanamachi" are rare outside of Kyoto.Hanamachi
Kyoto hanamachi*
Gion (Gion Kobu and Gion Higashi)
*Miyagawachō
*Kamishichiken
*Pontochō
* ShimabaraTokyo hanamachi*
Shinbashi
*Akasaka
*Asakusa
*Yoshichō
*Kagurazaka
*Mukojima Hanamachi near
Tokyo * Hachiōji
Areas historically renowned as "hanamachi"/"kagai"
*
Torimori
*Shintomichō
*Fukagawa
*Maruyamachō
*Yanagibashi
*Nakano Shinbashi Yoshiwara was the Tokyo courtesans' district and is sometimes referred to as a "hanamachi".Hanamachi in
Osaka *
Kita Shinchi
*Minami Shinchi
*Shinmachi
= Hanamachi in Kanazawa =*
Higashi Chaya
*Nishi Chaya References
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