In Kyoto, geishas known locally as geikos have begun the annual Miyako Odori, a centuries-old performance celebrating spring amid blooming cherry blossoms. Dressed in sky-blue kimonos adorned with flowers, the dancers twirl gracefully before hundreds of spectators. The event, known as 'capital city dance,' dates back to 1872.
In Kyoto's Gion district, Kyoko Sugiura, head of the Yasaka Nyokoba Gakuen geisha school, said, "Just as cherry blossoms bloom when spring approaches, the Miyako Odori is a spring tradition in Kyoto."
The performance started shortly after Kyoto hosted Japan's first national expo, an effort to revive the city following the 1869 relocation of the capital to Tokyo. Its format has remained largely unchanged, though music and dance elements are occasionally updated.
Geishas, or geikos in Kyoto, typically perform in small, private settings at exclusive establishments. Sugiura noted, "That's why it is often thought of as a very exclusive world. But the Miyako Odori is a one-hour show... Anyone and everyone with a ticket can enjoy the show."
Geisha expert Maria Superata, who has worked as their interpreter, described it as combining "elements from kabuki... traditional dance... act, sing, play instruments, everything all in one." However, their numbers are declining, as fewer young Japanese embrace the demanding discipline and traditional arts.