Category:Minarai

English: Minarai are young girls who have completed their service as shikomi and are allowed to dress up similar to maiko and attend their onee-san to engagements in order to learn by observing how their seniors entertain their customers. Minarai dress otherwise identical to very junior maiko, but are generally distinguishable by the half-length darari musubi. Exceptions are made by Kamishichiken minarai, who wear full darari from beginning, and Gion Kôbu minarai, who are allowed to change from half to full length after one week. The "graduation" of a minarai to a maiko--Misedashi--is a celebration and a major mark in her career. Note: there is a custom for freshly debuted maiko to don the half-darari the day after their misedashi. These are distinguishable from minarai by the lack of makeup.