ICHIMAN'EN - 'Ten-Thousand Yen'

The reason behind the picture title, ICHIMAN'EN - 'Ten-Thousand Yen':

It's an old Japanese custom and especially in the Hanamachi, to handle money inside envelopes.

For example in the old times when Samurai received their stipend from their retainers they always received it inside and envelope.

Money was considered as something "impure" and "dirty", money was considered bad for society, "the dirty staff that corrupt society".

General speaking people tried always to interchange money in the most subtle way the could. This custom was because it was considered rude to talk about money, or to talk about having more money than others, or simply looking like you want to have more money.

(When not having envelopes some people would also interchange money with chopsticks.)

If one look closely the envelope that the Maiko is holding has inside a 10,000 Yen banknote. (Sorry, I'm aware that it's very difficult to see it in this picture.)