Kamishichiken is the oldest hanamachi located in the Nishijin area of northwest Kyoto.

【B】
Baikasai---Baikasai is the plum-blossom festival on February 25th
to commemorate the anniversary of the death of Michizane
Sugawara, a famous scholar and politician renowned for
his literary talent in the Heian Period.

Bon---Japanese Buddhist holiday to honor the departed spirits of one's ancestors.

【G】
Geiko---Geiko means Geisha. They prefer to be called Geiko in Kyoto.

【H】
Hanamachi---Geiko Districts
　＊5 Hanamachi in Kyoto　〔Kamishichiken, Pontocho,
Gion Kobu, Gion Higashi, and Miyagawacho〕

【K】
Kanzashi---Kanzashi are Japanese hair ornaments.

Kenban--- practice room.

【M】
Maiko---Maiko means apprentice Geiko.

【N】
Nodate---Nodate means outdoor tea ceremony.
Nagauta---Nagauta is a long epic song.
Nesan---nesan literally means "sister" in Japanese.
In the geiko community it is used to refer to elder geiko.

【O】
Ofuku---Ofuku is a traditional hairstyle that elder Maiko
wear after they use the wareshinobu hairstyle.

Okasan---Okasan literally means "mother" in Japanese.
In the geiko community it is used to refer to the
mistress of a tea house.

Okiya---the lodging house whrere maiko or geiko live.

Onesan---Onesan literally means "sister" in Japanese.
In the geiko community it is used to refer to elder geiko.

【S】
Setsubun---Setsubun is the eve of the first day of spring in japanese calendar.
Shamisen---Shamisen is a three-stringed musical instrument.

【T】
Takamakura---a specially shaped hard high pillow that
supports maiko’s neck but leaves her hair untouched.

Tenjin-san---Tenjin-san is Kitano Tenman-gu Shrine.

Tenjin-san day ---Tenjin-san day is a festival day
held at Kitano Tenman-gu Shrine on the 25th of
every month.

【W】
Wareshinobu---Wareshinobu is a traditional hairstyle
that young Maiko wear at the beginning of their careers.
It is designed to accentuate a Maiko’s loveliness.