SHIKOMI~SAN

SHIKOMI:

The girl running behind the MAIKO is a SHIKOMI~SAN.

General speaking any girl can choose to become a MAIKO about at the end of their Junior High School , (Compulsory Education in Japan), at the age of 14~15, if they find a person that will introduced her to an OKIYA'S OKASAN*.

One the OKASAN* welcome the girl to her OKIYA - typically around fourteen or sixteen, they must pass certain exams relating to dance, music, and other arts. These are a true test of all that they learned as SHIKOMI. Those who pass are permitted to move on to the MINERAI stage of training.

A SHIKOMI~SAN is a girl in training, by the OKASAN. She'll also have to attend dance classes, do daily chores and help out the MAIKO and GEIKO in the OKIYA.
After the SHIKOMI~SAN period pass, around one year, she'll be prepare for her MISEDASHI*. This period is called MINARAI, a "watch and learn" period."

The MINARAI will establish ties with a particular teahouse. For as long as she works in this stage, she may attend banquets arranged by that teahouse (her minarai-chaya. Of course, if requested elsewhere, she is free to attend).

At first glance, MINARAI look much like their MAIKO elders. The most noticeable difference is in their OBI. A MINARAI has significantly shorter OBI, while those on a MAIKO may trail to her ankles. Her KANZASHI may also be more elaborate and showy. A MINARAI is not expected to be well-versed in conversational arts. Her loud and pretty clothing does the talking for her. Her task is simply to observe others at work, to take everything in.

This stage of training may last anywhere from a month to several months, depending on the district and the talent of the MINARAI involved.

*OKIYA: It's the lodging house in which a MAIKO or GEIKO lives.
*OKASAN: Okasan literary means Mother and is the owner or proprietress of an OKIYA. (Always female).

*MISEDASHI: When a girl becomes a MAIKO she must find an ONESAN, "sister", an older GEIKO to become her mentor. This GEIKO may not necessarily be from the same OKIYA but that is the most common way. The rite of MISEDASHI is a MAIKO's debut, and much fanfare is given to the ceremony.
Fans and banners bearing the calligraphy and name of the new MAIKO are given out to loyal patrons and other members of the HANAMACHI, "geisha-town". To bind the MAIKO to her ONESAN the ritual of SAN SAN KUDO, a binding ceremony, where a MAIKO and GEIKO are legally bound as sisters.
The ceremony is held in the OKIYA and consist to drink sake from 3 cups. Each 3 sips from each cups, shared with one you are being bound to, the new MAIKO with her new ONISAN, GEIKO. After the SAN SAN KUDO, the new MAIKO is introduce to the public waiting outside the OKIYA followed by a walk around the HANAMACH, "geisha-town".