Maiko - Maiko

The name of Hangyoku in the Kyoto-Osaka region and west. Like Hangyoku, Hangyoku are promoted to Geiko (Geisha) at the age of 12 to 16, but they have unique customs, such as performing as a drum accompaniment called Shitakata in addition to dancing in the entertainment room. The price of the Tamayo is the same as that of a Geisha, and while Hangyoku are of a lower status than Geisha, Hangyoku are treated on the same level as Geisha. The typical attire for going to the tatami room is to tie hair in a warishinobu style, decorate with pin-ups and flower hairpins, wear a large furisode with a yuzen kimono lining pulled up at the hem, wear a red collar on the undergarment, tie a thick board or other obi in a darari (cat's tail) style, and when outdoors, wear high wooden sandals with high hemlines. Since 1947 (Showa 22), it has been prohibited for young girls to entertain at drinking parties, so the age has been raised and customs have changed.

[Yoichi Harashima]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

京阪地方以西における半玉(はんぎょく)の名称。12～16歳で芸子(げいこ)（芸者）に昇格するのは半玉と同じだが、座敷の余興に舞踊のほか下方(したかた)とよばれる鼓や太鼓の伴奏を勤めるなど独特の風習をもつ。玉代も芸者と同額で、半玉が芸者より低い地位にあるのに対し、芸者と同格に待遇された。座敷に出る盛装は、髪を割信夫(わりしのぶ)に結い、針打・花簪(はなかんざし)などで飾り、大振袖(ふりそで)の友禅を裾(すそ)を引いて着、襦袢(じゅばん)には赤衿を用い、厚板などの帯を「だらり」（猫じゃらし）に結び、戸外は高い木履(おこぼ)（ぽっくり）を履いて高く褄(つま)をとって歩くのを典型とする。1947年（昭和22）以後は年少女子の酒席接待が禁じられたので、年齢が引き上げられるとともに風俗も変化している。

［原島陽一］

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