Dressed in sky blue kimonos emblazoned with flowers, the dancers twist and twirl in unison in front of hundreds of spectators eager to see the annual “Miyako Odori” in the nation’s spectacular ancient capital. Geishas, known as geikos in Kyoto, and apprentices called maikos have been donning elaborate costumes and fluttering fans since the Miyako Odori – or “capital city dance” – first started in 1872. In Japanese, the word geisha means “person of the arts”, and can refer to a woman or man trained in traditional Japanese performing arts. “But the Miyako Odori is a one-hour show in which geisha and maiko have the opportunity to showcase the arts they practise daily,” she said. Superata said that fewer young Japanese want a life that demands huge discipline and comes with a strict practice schedule.

Source: The Star April 08, 2026 10:32 UTC