r/Geisha•10 yr. ago

Karyukai-related Vocabulary - Part 2 (Everything Else)

Most of the following is from a post by user Ichisumi on the Tsuruko Maiko forum. I have reposted it here as one must have an account and be logged in there to see it.

Source

Part 1 - Clothing

Note on pronunciation

Japanese is broken down into sounds. Instead of learning individual letters of the alphabet like we did when we were kids, they learn sounds, eg. "wa", "su", "chi". The words must be pronounced like that also. Where a letter below has an accent, that means that the vowel is to be lengthened. Sometimes, instead of having an accent, a letter will have an extra u after the vowel to show the same thing.

Example

Zōri or zouri or zo-ri, all would sound the same
Mai ōgi or mai ougi or mai o-gi, all would sound the same
Sakkō or sakkou or sakk-o, all would sound the same

These three different spellings are just a different types of notation.

Events

Misedashi 見世出し / 店出し / 店だし: Literally "Opening of the Shop". It is the débutante of a new Maiko.
Wage-kae 髷替え: Term for when a Maiko changes her hairstyle from Wareshinobu to Ofuku. Becoming a senior Maiko.
Erikae 襟替え / ゑりかえ / 衿替え / 襟かえ / えり替え / 衿かゑ / ゑりかへ / 襟変え: "Changing of the collar," when a Maiko becomes a Geiko. Turning her red/white Maiko collar to the pure white Geiko collar.
Hiki-iwai 引祝 (引き祝い): Literally, "Pulling out ceremony". It is a ceremony for a Geiko or Maiko when she retires. She visits many Ochaya and Okiya to thank the head of the household for the support she received during her career. To announce her retirement she gives a triangle piece of paper with the characters Hiki-iwai printed in the middle. Written to the side, is her Geisha name and her birth name.
Ozashiki お座敷: Literally "Tatami mat room". Usually referring to Maiko and Geiko parties in an Ochaya. Customers usually never refer to the parties as Ozashiki, only Geisha do so. Instead they use the word Enkai (宴会), banquet or party.
Danpatsu-shiki 断髪式: Is a ceremonial party in the last few days before the Eri-kae. The guests get to clip the ties that hold the Sakkō hairstyle in place. This is her last night as a Maiko.
Aisatsu mawari: Where a new geiko visits all ochaya in her hanamachi on the day of her erikae, to thank all for their support.
Orei mawari: Where a geiko visits all ochaya in her hanamachi on the day after her erikae, this time wearing katsura but no oshiroi, and in an informal kimono.

Money terms

Senkōdai 線香代: "Incense fees". Old way of burning a stick of incense to calculate the amount charged for a geiko or maiko's time. One burned incense equaled one hour. Even though the incense typically did not burn for an hour, the customer was still charged for that amount of time.
Gyokudai 玉代: Literally, "Jewel fee". (Tokyo)
Hanadai 花代 / O-hana お花: "Flower fees". (Kyoto)
Go-shūgi ご祝儀: Tips given to Geisha in envelopes. They are free to keep them for themselves.

Buildings

Ochaya お茶屋: "Teahouse" where Maiko and Geiko entertain.
Minarai-jaya 見習い茶屋: Teahouse chosen for a new apprentice to learn the etiquette and protocols of an Ozashiki.
Ryōtei 料亭: In areas such as Tokyo, Geisha entertain in Ryōtei, teahouse/restaurant establishments. Though they do not only exist in Tokyo. They used to be called Machiai-jaya (rendezvous teahouse) [待合茶屋] or in shortened form, Machiai.
Okiya 置屋 / Yakata 屋形: Boarding houses where Maiko and Geiko live with the Oka-san of the house.* Kenban 検番 / Kumiai 組合: Union/Registry office. Places where schedules, wages, and other records are kept.
Nyokōba 女紅場: Building(s) which house the theatre, union and association offices, and school.
Kaburen-jō 歌舞練場: Theatre where annual dance performances are held. It can also be used for music and dance rehearsals.
Enbu-jō 演舞場: Term used in Tokyo for theatre, meaning "place for dancing".
Biyoshitsu 美容室: Beauty salon / Hair salon.

Kyoto theatres

Gion Kobu Kaburen-jō: 祇園甲部歌舞練場
Gion Kaikan (Gion Higashi): 祇園会館
Miyagawa-chō Kaburen-jō: 宮川町歌舞練場
Ponto-chō Kaburen-jō: 先斗町歌舞練場
Kamishichiken Kaburen-jō: 上七軒歌舞練場

People

Okaa-san お母さん: "Mother" of an Okiya or Ochaya.
Aba-san 小母さん: "Auntie"
Okami-san 女将さん: Proprietress of an Ochaya.
Waka-okami-san 若女将さん: The trainee to be the next proprietress. Usually the wife of the eldest or only son. Though in the karyukai some Geiko are asked to take over.
Ōnee-san 大姐さん: Eldest Geiko in the district. Therefore the highest ranking.
Onee-san お姐さん/お姉さん: "Elder sister" and mentor for a Maiko or Geiko.
Imotō-san 妹さん: "Younger sister" or "Little sister".
Shikomi 仕込み: The beginning stage of training before becoming a Maiko. Typically lasting 10 months before they take the test to become a Maiko. If you pass the next stage is Minarai.
Minarai 見習い: Learning by observation. Last stage before becoming a full Maiko. The appearance of a Maiko in this stage is some-what altered. The sleeves and train of the hikizuri are shorter in length of a normal Maiko hikizuri. And the dangling portion of the obi is half the length. They also carry a mini kago. This period typically lasts a month but it may be shorter or longer depending on the district or the Oka-san.
Maiko 舞妓: Apprentice Geiko. Literally "woman of dance". This term is used in Kyoto and Nara. This stage typically lasted from the age of 15 to 20. Sometimes they wait till they are 21.
Geiko / Geigi 芸妓: Kyoto dialect for Geisha. Literally "woman of art". It's also used in Nara and Osaka.
Geisha 芸者: Literally "Artist". Term usually used in places other than Kyoto and Nara.
Hangyoku 半玉: The term usually refers to an apprentice in Tokyo or other regions of Japan. 'Gyoku' comes from "Gyokudai", a term for a Geishas' wages. The apprentice only receives half (Han) the wages of a a full Geisha, thus the name Han'gyoku.
Oshaku-san お酌さん: Meaning "person who pours sake", the term usually refers to an apprentice in Tokyo. But it can be used in referring to a Maiko.
Jimae 自前 / Ippon-dachi 一本立ち: A Geiko who is now completely independent of her Okiya. She will move into her own place and take care of herself financially. She may run her own business, such as a bar, Ochaya or open her own Okiya.
Natori 名取り: Literally "to take a name". It is given when you master dance, or other subjects, such as Fue (flute). Once you hit this stage you are given a diploma entitling you to use the name of the school. For example, when a Geiko in Gion Kobu becomes a Natori in Inoue Kyo-mai her name will look like this 井上小富美 (Inoue Kofumi).
Atotori 跡取り: Inheritor of and Okiya or Ochaya.
Iemoto 家元: Founder or current head of a school of traditional Japanese art. The main role of the Iemoto is to lead the school and protect it's traditions. One of the most famous in the Geiko and Maiko world is the headmistress of Gion Kobu's Yasaka Nyokōba, Inoue Yachiyo (井上八千代).
Osshō-san お師匠さん: Respective title give to the Teacher.
Otokoshi / Otokoshū 男衆: Male professional dresser.
Onagoshi / Onagoshū 女子衆: Female professional dresser.
Taiko-mochi 太鼓持 ("drum bearer") / Hōkan 幇間 : Male "jesters" that dance, play games, and tell comical stories at Ozashiki. They are sometimes called "Male Geisha" (Otoko Geisha).
Okyaku-sama お客様 / Okyaku-san お客さん: Honored guests/costumers.
Odanna-sama 御旦那様: Patron of an Ochaya. Less frequently a Geisha's patron.
Hakoya 箱屋: Manservant who carried a geisha's shamisen to engagements. The female equivalent was called an Uchibako (内箱). This job is now obsolete.

Other Terms

Geimei 芸名 or "geimyo": "Art Name". A Geisha's professional name.
Hanamachi (Kagai) 花街: literally translates as "Flower Towns". It refers to the Geisha districts.
Karyūkai 花柳界: Meaning "Flower and Willow World".
Tachikata 立方 / Maikata 舞方 / Odoriko 踊り子: Geisha that specialize in dance.
Jikata 地方: Geisha that specialize in music. Often higher paid than dancers because they are less common.
Ozashiki Asobi お座敷遊び: Ozashiki party games and entertainment.
Senjafuda 千社札 / Hanameishi 花名刺 / Nōsatsu 納札: Name stickers that Geiko and Maiko give out at Ozashiki.
Mokuroku 目録: Celebratory posters for Misedashi and Eri-kae.
Ichigen-san Okotowari 一見さんお断り: "First timers refused", is a custom that Ochaya and Ryōtei use denying entry to any un-introduced new customers to insure the quality of their services. To gain entry you must be introduced by and already established patron.
Omaku おまく / Taka-makura 高枕 / Hoka-makura 箱枕: Tall pillow with wooden base Maiko sleep on to keep from ruining their elaborate hairstyle.
Okii 大きい: Senior.
Chisai 小さい: Junior.
Kago-mochi かご持ち: When a Shikomi carries her elder sister's bag to engagements.
Kiribi 切火: Striking of flint at the back of a Maiko or Geiko on their début for good luck.
Hōnō-mai 奉納舞: Dedication dance.
Hidari-zuma 左褄: The way a Geiko/Maiko holds the skirt of the Hikizuri in the left hand when walking.
Bintsuke-abura 鬢付油: Fragrant oil used in styling the Katsura.
Meigi 名妓: Well known/famous Geiko.
Ocha-o-hiku お茶を引く: Term for when a Geiko or Maiko gets fully dressed up but has no engagements to attend in case she is called at the last minute by an Ochaya.
Okeiko お稽古: Practice in arts.
Tansu 箪笥: Chest of drawers to house kimono and obi. Usually made of Hinoki wood.
Onsen 温泉: Hot springs resorts.
Tokonoma 床の間: Alcove in which the guest of honor sits in front of. Placed in it are typically antique scrolls, flower arrangements, and other assorted antiques selected by the seasons.
Kaiseki 懐石: Small meals served during the Ozashiki. The ingredients are chosen by what is in season and available locally.
Sadō 茶道: Tea Ceremony. The tea prepared is a special powdered green tea which is whipped to a frothy consistency. It is typical to eat a traditional Japanese sweet before the tea is drank to cut the bitterness.
Kadō 華道 / Ikebana 生花 / 活花: Flower Arrangement which reflects the season.
O-jigi 御辞儀: Term for a proper bow.
O-sakazuki 御盃: Sake cup.
Sansankudo 三々九度: "Three-times-three", the ceremony which ties a geiko to a maiko as a mentor.
Tencha 点茶: Boiling tea (for a tea ceremony).
O-temae お点前: The Geisha who prepares the tea.
O-hikae お控え: The Geisha who serves it to the guest.
Iki 粋: "Chic".
Kan-geiko 寒稽古: Music practice done outside in the winter. It was thought to bring character to the musicians music.
Jin-rikisha 人力車: Literally, "Person powered vehicle". Rickshaws, as they are known in English were once the most common mode of transportation in urban Japan. Now mainly used by Geisha in Tokyo. The men who pull the rickshaw are called Kurumaya (俥屋).

Music

Shamisen / Samisen 三味線: Three-stringed, fretless, long-necked, "banjo-like" intsrument played typically with a wooden plectrum called a Bachi.
Tsumabiki 爪弾き: Playing the shamisen with one's fingers. Mostly seen in the Kouta repertoire.
Kokyū 胡弓: 3-4 stringed instrument played with a bow.
Koto 箏 / 琴: 13-stringed rectangular harp.
Ohayashi お囃子: Percussion.
Sanbyōshi 三拍子: The three drums: taiko, tsuzumi and ōkawa.
Taiko 太鼓: Stick drum.
Ōkawa 大鼓: Drum placed on the left hip and held with the left hand and played by striking it with the third and fourth fingers of the right hand.
Ko-tsuzumi 小鼓 (Tsuzumi 鼓): A shoulder drum held against the right shoulder with left hand and struck with the right hand.
Narimono 鳴物: Small percussion instruments.
Fue 笛: Flute.
Naga-uta 長唄: "Long songs". The most commonly heard style of shamisen music today.
Kiyomoto 清元: A common lyrical style of shamisen music.
Tokiwazu 常磐津: A narrative style of shamisen music.
Gidayū 義太夫: Narrative style of shamisen music from the Bunraku theatre.
Icchū-bushi 一中節: A style of shamisen music now rarely heard.
Ha-uta 端唄: Short lyrical love ditty's accompanied by the shamisen.
Ko-uta 小唄: Short haiku-like songs accompanied by shamisen.
Sōkyoku 箏曲: Koto music.

The Go-Kagai (geiko districts) of Kyoto & their schools of dance

Gion Higashi 祇園東: They study Fujima (藤間流) school of dance.
Gion Kobu 祇園甲部: They study Inoue (井上流) school of dance.
Kamishichiken 上七軒: They study Hanayagi (花柳流) school of dance.
Miyagawa-chō 宮川町: They study Wakayagi (若柳流) school of dance.
Ponto-chō 先斗町: They study Onoe (尾上流) school of dance.

These five districts are called the gokagai, five districts.

Kyoto dance performances (Go-Kagai)

Miyako Odori: 都をどり (Gion Kobu)
Kyo Odori: 京おどり (Miyagawa-chō)
Kitano Odori: 北野をどり (Kamishichiken)
Kamogawa Odori: 鴨川をどり (Ponto-chō)
Gion Odori: 祇園をどり (Gion Higashi)

Other Kyoto performances

Onshukai: 温習會 (Gion Kobu)
Miyako-no-nigiwai: 都の賑い (All Kyoto districts)
Suimeikai: 水明会 (Ponto-chō)
Mizuekai: みずゑ會 (Miyagawa-chō)
Kotobukikai: 寿会 (Kamishichiken)

The Water Trade - Mizu-shōbai 水商売

Ageya 揚屋: Similar to an Ochaya/Okiya.
Tayū 太夫: The highest rank of courtesan. Now only found in Kyoto's Shimabara, and no longer including sex in their entertainment portfolio - they are similar to geiko.
Furisode-dayū 振袖太夫: A watching apprentice, similar to a minarai.
Oiran 花魁: The highest rank of courtesan from Tokyo. (Yoshiwara).
Kamuro 禿: Assistants and trainees to the Tayū and Oiran. This is the first stage to become a Tayū or Oiran
Yujō 遊女: A "woman of pleasure". Title given to all licensed prostitutes.
Shimabara 嶋原: The oldest entertainment district in Japan. Opening in 1589 under the control of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's government. It was relocated twice, and, finally in 1641, it was moved to it's present day location. It did have active geiko up until 1975.
Yoshiwara 吉原: Former courtesan and geisha district in Tokyo.
Shin-machi 新町: Former courtesan district in Osaka. It is still a working Geisha district.
Sanban-machi 三番町: Was a brothel district in Kanazawa.
Dōchū 道中: Parade of Oiran or Tayu.
Kashi no Shiki 仮視の式: Ceremony the is performed in the Ozashiki. It allows the Tayu to assess her client.
Hikifune 引舟: Attendant.
Hachimonji 八文字: Figure-eight pattern Tayu and Oiran make while walking during a parade.

Posted Dec 9, 2015, 11:16 AM UTC · edited