Maiko Mamemaru (apprentice geisha). Geisha translates to "a person of the arts." For nearly 400 years, the life of a geisha was highly coveted for Japanese women. To become a geisha often meant years of intense training—sometimes from childhood—in the quest for artistic beauty in music, dancing, tea ceremony and conversation. The gokagai of Kyoto are its five geisha districts, also known as "flower towns". Gion Kōbu, Pontochō and Kamishichiken have the highest status, entertaining powerful...