Japan: Hand-coloured portrait of a maiko in full ceremonial dress. Photo from Narui Raisuke's (1858-1902) studio, Kyoto, c. 1880. Maiko (舞妓) is a Japanese word for dancing girl and means an apprentice geisha. Usually aged 17 to 20, their jobs consist of performing songs, dances and playing the shamisen or other traditional Japanese instruments for visitors during banquets and parties, known as ozashiki. They graduate to geisha status after a period of training, and the apprenticeship can last from a few months to two years. They are known as hangyoku (半玉) in Tokyo.

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Size: 3700px × 4732px
Photo credit: © Pictures From History / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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