Maiko greet teahouse owners, teachers

Maiko greet teahouse owners, teachers

KYOTO, Japan - Two Maiko, apprentice geisha, pay a round of visits to their teachers of traditional Japanese arts and teahouse owners during the annual summer "hassaku" event in the Gion district in Kyoto, western Japan, on Aug. 1, 2014.

Kyoto geisha pay courtesy calls in summer greeting custom

Kyoto geisha pay courtesy calls in summer greeting custom

KYOTO, Japan - Geiko, Kyoto's term for geisha, and maiko, apprentice geisha, bow as they pay a courtesy call at a tea house in the Japanese ancient capital's Gion district for the "hassaku" summer tradition on Aug. 1, 2014. It is customary during the season for geiko and maiko in Japan's renowned geisha district to make the rounds to express their gratitude to tea house owners and others who have supported them.

Maiko greet teahouse owners, teachers

Maiko greet teahouse owners, teachers

KYOTO, Japan - Two Maiko, apprentice geisha, pay a round of visits to their teachers of traditional Japanese arts and teahouse owners during the annual summer "hassaku" event in the Gion district in Kyoto, western Japan, on Aug. 1, 2014. (Kyodo)

Kyoto geisha pay courtesy calls in summer greeting custom

Kyoto geisha pay courtesy calls in summer greeting custom

KYOTO, Japan - Geiko, Kyoto's term for geisha, and maiko, apprentice geisha, bow as they pay a courtesy call at a tea house in the Japanese ancient capital's Gion district for the "hassaku" summer tradition on Aug. 1, 2014. It is customary during the season for geiko and maiko in Japan's renowned geisha district to make the rounds to express their gratitude to tea house owners and others who have supported them. (Kyodo)

Geiko, maiko in summer greetings

Geiko, maiko in summer greetings

Apprentice geiko called maiko head to their teachers of traditional Japanese arts and teahouse owners during the annual summer "hassaku" event in Kyoto's Gion district on Aug. 1, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Geiko, maiko in summer greetings

Geiko, maiko in summer greetings

Apprentice geiko called maiko head to their teachers of traditional Japanese arts and teahouse owners during the annual summer "hassaku" event in Kyoto's Gion district on Aug. 1, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Geiko, maiko in summer greetings

Geiko, maiko in summer greetings

Apprentice geiko called maiko head to their teachers of traditional Japanese arts and teahouse owners during the annual summer "hassaku" event in Kyoto's Gion district on Aug. 1, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Geiko, maiko in summer greetings

Geiko, maiko in summer greetings

Apprentice geiko called maiko head to their teachers of traditional Japanese arts and teahouse owners during the annual summer "hassaku" event in Kyoto's Gion district in on Aug. 1, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Kyoto's geisha, maiko pay courtesy call in traditional midsummer practice

Kyoto's geisha, maiko pay courtesy call in traditional midsummer practice

Geisha and apprentice geisha known as maiko clad in black formal kimono walk a street in Kyoto's Gion district on Aug. 1, 2017, during the annual summer "hassaku," a customary event in which the traditional Japanese entertainers pay courtesy calls to their teachers and teahouses to express their gratitude. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Kyoto's geisha, maiko pay courtesy call in traditional midsummer practice

Kyoto's geisha, maiko pay courtesy call in traditional midsummer practice

Geisha and apprentice geisha known as maiko clad in black formal kimono walk a street in Kyoto's Gion district on Aug. 1, 2017, during the annual summer "hassaku," a customary event in which the traditional Japanese entertainers pay courtesy calls to their teachers and teahouses to express their gratitude. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo