Geisha spectacle in Japan's Kyoto celebrates arrival of springGeishas and apprentices called maikos have been donning elaborate costumes and fluttering fans since the Miyako Odori -- or "capital city dance" -- first started in 1872. KYOTO (JAPAN) - Against a backdrop of blooming cherry blossoms, a group of geishas elegantly shuffle onto a stage in Japan's Kyoto city to begin a centuries-old performance celebrating the arrival of spring. 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.

Source: Bangkok Post April 03, 2026 05:27 UTC