April 7, 2009
please don’t touch the Geisha
As the number of visitors to Kyoto increases and the number of Geisha — or maiko — decreases, tourists are placing an increasingly intrusive burden on the people and area.
Maiko and local residents say foreigners seem to view the entire Gion area, which preserves much of the traditional appearance of Kyoto, as a huge theme park and to believe that the maiko in the streets are on duty for the tourists.
“They are not performing for tourists,” said Mr. Yamamoto. “They are simply traveling to and from the venues of the party where they are working.”
“We are not like a Mickey Mouse in Disneyland,” said Mameharu, another maiko, walking along Hanamikoji street.
(via marginal revolution)
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