-In the Kyoto dialect, they call them げいこ (geiko) and they are professional artisans of the Japanese culture; they sing, dance, perform the tea ceremony, play instruments—like the shamisen or koto—,write calligraphy, and are excellent conversationalists. They are the epitome of Japanese femininity, and are treasured in Kyoto. So, you are aware of them, yes? But are you sure what you're thinking of is actually a げいこ and not something else? If you're picturing a Japanese girl with bright flower pins in her hair and wearing a long-sleeved kimono, then I'm afraid to tell you that she is not a げいこ (geiko), but rather a げいこ in training, or as they call them in Japanese: まいこ (maiko).
-Compulsory education in Japan ends after middle school. This means that once one graduates from middle school, they can start working and not have to go to school. Very few middle school girls choose to forgo high school education and pursue the life of a げいこ, but when they do, many go to Kyoto, the birthplace of the げいこ. From there, they must go through several years of training, from two to six years, until they can be considered a true げいこ. There is no age limit to a げいこ, but まいこ are usually under the age of twenty. The Gion District in Kyoto is famous for their げいこ and まいこ, and after 5:30 PM they will come out to start their work day.
The more you know~
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