The “gei” of geisha means art. Geisha are of course skillful in the social art of entertaining guests at parties, but the soul of a geisha lies in her mastery of traditional performing arts. Geisha often study all aspects, but usually go on to specialize in either dance (Nihon buyō) or traditional music, including the shamisen, singing, drums, or flute.
from Pontochō in Kyoto
2003
as a maiko, playing shamisen at a recital
2003
As a maiko,
performing in a public dance
2004
now a geiko, in a public dance
2006
playing the kozutsumi drum
Kazumi
Tomoyuki and Hisano