Photo/Illutration Geisha and "maiko" apprentices of the Gion Kobu district in Kyoto visit Inoue Yachiyo V, a master and teacher of the Inoue School of “kyomai” dance form, as part of a tradition called "kotohajime" on Dec. 13. (Kenta Sujino)

KYOTO--Geisha and "maiko" apprentices here on Dec. 13 visited their art teachers and host teahouses to thank them for their patronage this past year and wish for a happy new year.

Such a visit is known as “kotohajime,” a tradition that has been maintained for years among the professional female entertainers and their apprentices in Kyoto’s entertainment quarters known as Hanamachi.

The event marks the beginning of preparations for the New Year’s holidays for Hanamachi.

Last year, the annual visit was scaled down because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was the first time in two years for them to carry out the tradition as has been conducted in the past.

Inoue Yachiyo V, 65, a master and teacher of the Inoue School of “kyomai” dance form that originated in Kyoto, received many visits by geisha and maiko from the Gion Kobu district, one of Kyoto's five entertainment quarters.

Inoue, at her home in the city’s Higashiyama Ward, offered an encouraging word to each of them and rewarded them for their service by giving each a celebratory fan decorated with a pine and a plum.

Inoue's practice hall sports a New Year holidays atmosphere with a decoration of “kagamimochi” round rice cakes that her disciples have delivered.

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