There are five geisha quarters in Kyoto, each with its own artistic dance form depicting daily life of Geisha and Maiko.
These dances are said to have gotten their start as an entertaining way to introduce Geisha and Maiko dances as part of the 1872 Kyoto Exhibition, an event planned out of fear that Kyoto would be forgotten because the capital was moved to Tokyo. This tradition is still carried on today and this year is the 136th occurrence.
Of the five major dances, four occur in the spring, with Gion Odori being the exception, as it happens in Autumn.
136th Miyako Odori
?Miyakowa Imagenji no Omokage?
This traditional spring festival of dancing Geisha from Gion begins with the call of ‘Yo-iyasa-.’ This dance originally began in 1872 as a plan to exhibit Kyoto and is now carried on by Master Yachiyo Inoue.
The geisha and maiko still carry out their traditional annual dances during the height of the cherry blossom season throughout the month of April. The most popular of these dances are the Miyako Odori "Cherry Blossom Dances" and "Dances of the Old Capital." Spectators flock from Japan and worldwide to attend the event. Incidentally, Gion geisha prefer to call themselves geiko, which means a woman skilled in dance and music.
- Schedule
- April 1st-30th, 2008
Four 1-hour performances daily (12:30, 14:00, 15:30, 16:50) - Theater
- Kyoto Gion Kobu Kaburenjo Theater
59th Kyo Odori
The Miyagawacho Kabukai Geisha and Maiko dance was originally performed in 1950. This elegant dance performance of the Wakayagiryu school has gained popularity for its expression of famous places and things of Kyoto through dance. The show’s finale is the flamboyant Miyagawa Ondo dance.
The Kyo Odori is a performance by Miyagawacho Geisha and Maiko held every year from early to late April at Miyagawacho Kaburenjo in Higashiyama-cho, Kyoto. This show is highlighted by the beautiful dancing Geisha and Maiko dressed in colorful Kimono. This relatively new dance was started in 1950 but has a large following because of its dedication to put on an entertaining show.
This year’s theme is ‘A Collection of Famous Flower Spots.’ In total, seven scenes are expressed through the Wakayagi school of dance including the 5 colored camellia of Jizo-In and Yoshimidera Temple with its many chrysanthemums. Performances grow more spectacular each year by incorporating well known plays such as Ujijujo Hananokoto and Takiyasha Hime Monogatari. Since 1962, this performance has been under the direction of Yosuke Tanimura and has become a lively 60-minute consistently evolving performance.
- Schedule
- April 5th-20th, 2008 *Dates of performance change yearly
Three 1-hour performances daily (12:30, 14:30, 16:30) - Theater
- Kyoto Miyagawacho Kaburenjo
56th Kitano Odori
This is a performance by Geisha of Kamishichiken, known as the oldest geisha quarter in Kyoto. What started as a dance rehearsal soon developed into a complete performance popular among enthusiast where only the best are chosen.
Kitano Odori is performed every year from April 15th to 25th in Kamishichiken Kaburenjo located in Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto. Kamishichiken is home to the most historic geisha quarter in Kyoto and it was here that this dance got its start in 1952 at the lantern festival of the near by Kitano-Tenmangu Shrine.
A performance known for its complexity and small number of performers. During the famous grand finale Geisha and Maiko dance to the rhythm of Kamishichiken Serenade.
This year, the 56th performance of the Kitano Odori has three parts; this first a dance drama called ‘Mukashibanashi Sekigekka,’ the second an innocent dance known as ‘Kamishichiken Furyu,’ and the grand finale ‘Kamishichiken Serenade.’ In total there are 15 Geisha and 6 Maiko dancers.
- Schedule
- April 15th-25th, 2008
Two or three performances daily
- Two daily performances on April 15th-19th, 23rd, 24th (13:00, 15:00)
- Three daily performances on April 20th-22nd, 25th (13:00, 15:00, 17:00) - Theater
- Kyoto Kamishichiken Kaburenjo
171st Kamogawa Odori
This dance, first performed in 1872 in Ponto-cho, has been passed down for over one century. A beautiful and dazzling dance that takes on the appearance of a moving picture scroll is choreographed in the Onoeryu style.
Kamogawa Odori takes place each year from May 1st to 24th at Pontecho Kaburenjo.
This dance originated at the 1st Kyoto Exhibition to bring visitors to Kyoto and help ensure its prosperity. Over a century has passed since then and this annual event continues to provide a splendid experience of Geisha emotion in a beautiful setting.
This dance is most noted for having been performed more than any other dance of the geisha quarters.
Kamogawa Odori is different from the Miyako Odori in that it is split into two parts, the first consisting of a dance drama and the second a dance show by the Maiko dancers. (The performance was the same as Miyako Odori, with all members dancing together, up until 1950.)
- Schedule
- May 1st-24th, 2008
Three 1 hour 15 minute performances daily (12:30, 14:20, 16:10) - Theater
- Kyoto Pontecho Kaburenjo