Kyoto's entertainment district - Maiko, Geiko and Japanese umbrellas
In present-day Kyoto, there are five entertainment districts: Gion Kobu, Miyagawacho, Pontocho, Kamishichiken, and Gion Higashi, and these five entertainment districts are collectively known as the "Five Entertainment Districts."
The culture of geisha and maiko providing heartfelt hospitality through a variety of traditional arts, including dancing, has been passed down continuously, and as a city where Kyoto's traditional culture is carefully preserved, Kyoto's geisha district has flourished as a major center of hospitality culture.
Kyoto's Geisha district is a condensed version of traditional culture, including traditional performing arts, and a culture of hospitality. This splendid and sophisticated culture, nurtured by a commitment to authenticity, is highly regarded not only in Japan but also overseas.
Miyagawacho, Kyoto
The hairstyles and kimonos that complement geisha and maiko, Japanese musical instruments such as the shamisen and flute, and the decorations of the stage and rooms all contain the "skills" of hairdressers, kimono dressers, and traditional artisans who make kimonos, obi, hairpins, etc. These "skills," which have been passed down from hand to hand, have been refined and perfected in the elegant culture of Kyoto, including the entertainment district.
Tsujikura's Japanese umbrellas are one of them, and maiko use Kyoto red snake-eye umbrellas, while geisha use purple or other snake-eye umbrellas of their choice.
Toshi Kana from Miyagawacho, Kyoto
When maiko and geiko go out to teahouses, they began to have their names inscribed on their Janome umbrellas to prevent them from mistaking the same umbrella for another.
In this way, Kyoto's diverse traditional crafts can be seen everywhere in the Hanamachi district, and it can be said that the highly skilled traditional crafts of Kyoto support the culture of the Hanamachi district. "The Culture of Kyoto Hanamachi - Traditional Performing Arts and Hospitality Still Live Today" has been selected as an "Intangible Cultural Heritage Linking Kyoto." (From "Intangible Cultural Heritage Linking Kyoto")
