The Path of an Artist - I

Last night, I finally decided to become a part of a world I was always curious about. I became a Minarai at the Yoshiwara Okiya in Little Yoshiwara. What is an okiya? An okiya is a geisha house, and a Minarai is a person of the lowest rank at the okiya -- in other words, a Minarai is expected to help out around the okiya. She assists the Okaasan (head Geisha, or mother), Geisha and the Maiko. Each Minarai is given an Oneesan, or older sister who teaches her and trains her. A Minarai's loyalty to her Oneesan is trumped only by her loyalty to the Okaasan, but a certain amount of loyalty is also shown to the Okiya as a whole. The Yoshiwara Okiya is a very closeknit family and so respect and loyalty doesn't seem to be a problem.

[EDIT: After getting more acquainted with Geiko and Maiko culture, I realized a Minarai is a little bit different than my previous explanation. A real life Minarai is an apprentice Maiko. A Shikomi is actually the lowest rank in the okiya. They are expected to do chores, help out around the house, and run errands for the very busy Maiko and Geiko while taking lessons in dance, singing, shamisen, etc. When a Shikomi is ready to become a Maiko, she will become a Minarai. This stage lasts for about a month before the Shikomi's debut as a Maiko. The purpose of the Minarai stage is to allow the young girl to wear the full costume of a Maiko (only wearing more kanzashi and with obi and sleeves that are half the length of a Maiko's) so that she can get used to it, and to get her acquainted with what goes on in the ochaya.
Little Yoshiwara does not have a Shikomi stage, so the Minarai stage is unique.]

Here are some pictures from my first evening as a Minarai ^-^

My good friend Meimi and I both became Minarai on the same day. The people seemed amazed that two people from Ohio joined within an hour of each other. We kept it a little secret that we are real life roommates ^^. I'm on the left, and Meimi's on the right. We decided to wear child shapes throughout our status as Minarai, since in a real okiya, the minarai are very young. As we progress, we will get a bit bigger. Being so small is a little difficult when it comes to resizing kimono though X_X. I'm wearing a kimono from Umi Usagi, and hair from Elsie.

This is my Oneesan, Amber-san. She is a very down to earth person! I expected all the geisha to be extremely formal and intimidating, but they are really warm and kind-hearted people. Behind Oneesan is another Minarai, and the okiya's favorite protector, Isis!

Meimi and myself are receiving instruction from the Geisha Suzume-san (top right) and my Onee-san (far right). We were learning about honorifics -- which we pretty much knew already due to us being RL Japanese majors, but we listened politely anyway.

Oneesan had the wonderful pleasure of dealing with this Griefer-san -- or as she would call it, "unsavory company." Even though he was obviously trying to push buttons, she maintained her poise, grace, and relaxing nature. Here's the conversation they had:

[22:36] Amber Lauridsen takes a humble bow
[22:36] Amber Lauridsen: Can we help you with anything tonight?
[22:36] Lowwave Oceanlane: I need a geisha
[22:37] Lowwave Oceanlane: I lack refinement
[22:37] Amber Lauridsen: I am sorry, but our tea house is closed for now, as we are using it for classes.
[22:38] Lowwave Oceanlane: I understand
[22:38] Lowwave Oceanlane: I apologize for my presence
[22:38] Lowwave Oceanlane: I will go on with my pointless existence
[22:39] Amber Lauridsen: It's no trouble just give us a bit to move our new girls to the classroom.
[22:39] Lowwave Oceanlane: I only wished to gaze at beauty such as yours once before I die
[22:40] Amber Lauridsen: I don't think you are going to die anytime soon sir, but we are honored.
[22:40] Lowwave Oceanlane: like a peach blossom that fades in a day
[22:41] Lowwave Oceanlane: beauty so radiant it blinds the eye
[22:41] Lowwave Oceanlane: but is so brief
[22:41] Lowwave Oceanlane: poof
[22:41] Amber Lauridsen: It is our goal sir to create beauty in everything we touch that is everlasting
[22:41] Amber Lauridsen: even byond death itself.

My beautiful Oneesan in front of a landscape in the classroom -- where we moved so another Geisha could entertain Griefer-san.

Suzume-san and Onee-san educating the Minarai ^^. This time we were learning about our duties and things we are expected to do before we can become Maiko. Yays ^^

Okaasan took us all out to look at some free kimono later on -- I think there will be much fun ahead~

ミ☆　みにくい　☆ミ