Gifu: Gifu

Historical Context

Funa-asobi is the tradition of entertainment by Geimaiko on boats. This is a specialty of the city of Gifu, the main city of Gifu prefecture is essentially cut in half by the Nagara river and this keeps some old traditions alive. Cormorant fishing for example, is still practiced on the site and a tourist attraction that draws visitors from nearby Nagoya. Even though cormorant fishing occurs in many places in Japan, Gifu’s is the largest event with up to six fishing masters on boats simultaneously. There is no better way to enjoy Gifu’s Geiko during the season from May 11 to October 15 than on a swaying boat in the evening just before the cormorant fishing commences. The tradition of Funa-asobi can easily be traced back to the Edo period and the rise of the Geisha but it has been very popular in Gifu since the Meiji period and has influenced the look and feel of Gifu Geimaiko up until today.

The kagai of Gifu is small in size with up to 20 recorded Geimaiko, nowadays a lower number seems more realistic and even though there have always been a few Maiko in Gifu, currently there are only Geiko debutantes. From the once flourishing district with around 500 active Geiko, Gifu is now an intimate setting for aspiring Geimaiko as here too numbers started to decline after the second world war. Hopefully a new Maiko will debut soon as their style is unique to the city. One of the strengths of Gifu’s Geimaiko is their versatility: Not only do they train Maiko and debutante Geiko, they also host Houkan who in turn train male and female entertainers, a one of a kind feat in the karyukai. And when it comes to their look, well they have it all from a more Kyoto oriented look to different obi knots even for Maiko, unique Geiko-Minarai outfits and Minarai Houkan. Gifu is like the assorted chocolate box of Geimaiko style! So, since we have quite some special outfits and styles to cover, let’s get started:

The Look of Gifu Maiko

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Term used for Apprentice: Maiko

Hairstyle: Maiko get their own hair styled in Wareshinobu for juniors and switch to Ofuku when senior. Sakkou is observed in Gifu but hasn’t been documented in recent years.



Maiko get their own hair styled in Wareshinobu for juniors and switch to Ofuku when senior. Sakkou is observed in Gifu but hasn’t been documented in recent years. Kanzashi: Monthly changing and seasonal. Classic Kyoto-style build up and in accordance to seniority.

Monthly changing and seasonal. Classic Kyoto-style build up and in accordance to seniority. Make-up: Oshiroi and beni according to seniority: Lower lip painted during first year, after that both lips are painted.

Oshiroi and beni according to seniority: Lower lip painted during first year, after that both lips are painted. Kimono: Furisode hikizuri for all stages, even Minarai. Kuromontsuki hikizuri paired with red nagajuban for formal occasions. Nagajuban colour can vary from peach to pink to red for ozashiki.



Furisode hikizuri for all stages, even Minarai. Kuromontsuki hikizuri paired with red nagajuban for formal occasions. Nagajuban colour can vary from peach to pink to red for ozashiki. Eri: Red with white embroidery and then white according to seniority



Red with white embroidery and then white according to seniority Obi: Various knots for different occasions. Handarari musubi during Minarai stage. Misedashi: Gold Darari obi. Default: Darari musubi which can be retied to Yagitcha musubi for outings on boats and such.



Various knots for different occasions. Handarari musubi during Minarai stage. Misedashi: Gold Darari obi. Default: Darari musubi which can be retied to Yagitcha musubi for outings on boats and such. Obiage: Untied when junior and tied when senior stage is reached.



Untied when junior and tied when senior stage is reached. Obijime: Yes except with ceremonial attire.

Yes except with ceremonial attire. Obidome : Yes except with ceremonial attire.

: Yes except with ceremonial attire. Footwear: Okobo and zori.

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Source Otokomaewafuku on Instagram & Gifu Geiko Association

Source: Asoview.com

The Look of Gifu Geiko

Source: Kikuzy on ameblo.jp

Source: Housengiren on Facebook

Term used for Geiko Minarai: Nakabana Geiko

Hairstyle: Katsura in Geiko shimada.



Katsura in Geiko shimada. Kanzashi: Seasonal flower kanzashi and Bira kanzashi

Seasonal flower kanzashi and Bira kanzashi Make-up: Rather light oshiroi with both lips painted.

Rather light oshiroi with both lips painted. Kimono: Short Furisode kimono, red nagajuban.



Short Furisode kimono, red nagajuban. Eri: Red with little white embroidery.



Red with little white embroidery. Obi: Yagitcha musubi.



Yagitcha musubi. Obiage: Red and untied.



Red and untied. Obijime: Yes.

Yes. Obidome: Yes.

Yes. Footwear: Zori.

Term used for professional: Geiko

Hairstyle: Geiko shimada katsura for younger Geiko, yohatsu for veterans.



Geiko shimada katsura for younger Geiko, yohatsu for veterans. Make-up: Oshiroi for younger, everyday makeup for veteran Geiko.



Oshiroi for younger, everyday makeup for veteran Geiko. Kimono: Hikizuri only worn by very junior Geiko. After a few years they switch to houmongi, tomesode and tsukesage.

Hikizuri only worn by very junior Geiko. After a few years they switch to houmongi, tomesode and tsukesage. Obi: Taiko musubi.

Taiko musubi. Obijime: Yes.

Yes. Footwear: Zori. Geta reserved for ceremonial attire and younger Geiko.

Source: Gifu ishikin on blog.goo.be.jp

Source: Autumn2016

Source: Taimusai.com

The Look of Gifu Houkan

Source: 7.489ban.net

Term used for Professional Male Entertainer: Houkan

Hairsyle: Various conservative styles, even longer, more modern ones for Tatsuji.



Various conservative styles, even longer, more modern ones for Tatsuji. Make-up: No Makeup except onstage.



No Makeup except onstage. Kimono: Matte fabrics in subdued colors in brown, green, blue, grey, black. For important performances and formal events Umanori hakama are paired with montsuki kimono



Matte fabrics in subdued colors in brown, green, blue, grey, black. For important performances and formal events Umanori hakama are paired with montsuki kimono Obi: Kaku obi in Ronin musubi



Kaku obi in Ronin musubi Footwear: Zori



Source: Housengiren on Facebook

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Regional Noteworthiness

- The Gifu Geiko Association was founded in 1984. They coordinate the training and events of Geimaiko. Applicants for Maiko must be between 17 and 19 years old. Applicants for Geiko between 19 and 40. Houkan apprentices have to be at least 17 years old. Kikuji is the only Houkan outside of Kyoto and Tokyo and the only one to train both male and female Geisha. The Association only trains female applicants.

- Since there are currently no active Maiko in Gifu, Nara’s Maiko and young Geiko Kikue and Kikukame get called upon to entertain on the boats. This has worked out for both parties as tourists get to see a cute Maiko perform while Nara’s Geiko get some exposure.

- Gifu is home to the first actual foreign Geisha: Rina came from Chengdu, Sichuan provence, China to Gifu in 2005 and acquired citizenship of Japan in 2011. She’s an autodidact in the Japanese language and admired the traditional dance and music so decided to become a Geiko, she worked for a branch of a Chinese food trading company in Gifu at the time.

- After the completion of her first year, a Maiko will change her hairstyle to Ofuku and start painting both lips. This is initiated by the onesan/onisan during a lip-painting ceremony at a local shrine. A priest will attend this ceremony and both the Maiko and the onesan/onisan will wear kuromontsuki. After the beni is painted on the lips of the Maiko by the onesan/onisan, there will be prayers and then they will be off to celebrate.

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