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Hatsumiko - Virtual Maiko

Konichiwa, good afternoon.
My name is Hatsumiko, a maiko of the Taneshi okiya. My elder sister Mametzuki is one of the top geishas in Gion, but she had emigrated to the States with her danna, her "husband". I am new in this trade and I am only thirteen, non-japanese and a maiko. I am a virtual maiko, and please contact the Taneshi okiya if maikos are needed for any IRC chats.

A maiko is, a novice geisha. She wears white foundation. Her lips are either painted on the upper lip, or half of each lip, making a smaller lip. Her eyes are lined black, and red-mauve eyeshadow is applied.

A maiko wears a red collar, unlike a geisha who wears a white collar. Her obi is tied at the back with two long flaps, and her robes are numerous in comparison to the geisha's elegant low-stress kimonos. Her obi is worn high on the bust to achieve a child-like appearance.

A maiko wears a 'split peach' hairstyle. Hair accessories are their own, and are rarely lent or borrowed, because they are in her possession. A maiko goes to her hairstylist once a week, and at night she sleeps on a special wooden pillow to prevent the hairstyle to be flattened.

A maiko gets training in tea-serving, flower arrangement, kabuki, playing the shamisen and dance everyday. In addition, a maiko and her geisha sisters have to go for banquets, sometimes eight in a row.

For me, I entertain the people in chatrooms, make them laugh and just feel happy. Due to my schooling, I am only allowed to be a virtual maiko, but I still attend maiko courses. Remember, maikos and geishas are not prostitutes, rather, they are artistes.