Niigata Geigi
Niigata Encyclopedia
Geigi and fashion were once a large part of the towns appeal Geigi numbers have dwindled remarkably as modern Japan has gone more modern with less restrictions, entertainment venues have changed, and it supports the idea of traditional Japan and for the Geigi Traditional Niigata. The world of traditions of Japan and Niigata are fading with people thinking less about its value as it becomes less appealing to the modern world of the everyday person with varying financial earnings creating different customer-bases: (a.) ultra-rich income [mysteriously rare-performers], (b.) rich-income [rare-performers], (c.) higher-income [uncommon-performers], (d.) middle-income [standard-performers], and (e.) office-income [practicing-performers].
Traditional Geigi Culture came about from the establishments of places like Kyoto where Geiko [geisha] had served the wealthy and in Niigata Geigi would follow, but change over time with its own differences. This was different from Oiran of the High-ranking Yujo who worked in the red-light district; or Tayu of the women entertainers of art to customers like the imperial court. The restrictions and rules of women entertainers like Geigi, Geiko/Maiko, Oiran, and Tayu are based on the city and house they belong too, so: so canceling the deflowering ceremony, being able to date, and getting married is possible.
Being in the city many jobs have changed, Historically Geigi had followed the history of Maiko and Geiko to tourism industry to attract tourists to: (a.) performance areas, (b.) tea houses and (c.) shrines, but the way to attract customers to such places has changed as does the profession. Geigi Cosplay industry is a (¥500,000) $500,000 per year.
History of Niigata Geigi
During the Edo period (1603-1867), Little has been documented about Niigata Geigi, but there is a book that states “Niigata geishas are as talented and beautiful as the geishas of Edo”. It is said that much of the dances that had developed were with Nanajuro who studied under Shichiro Ichiyama (third-generation) of the Ichiyama School and took the surname “Ichiyama” to continue to become the fourth-generation “70th Ichiyama” that gave rise to the Furumachi Geigi with its great growth during the Meiji Period. In 1880, Gosenya (Parlor) in Furumachi 8th street was rented as a teaching place of Ichikawa Tone (Dance Master) of Ichikawa-ryu School (Founder Chikawa Danjuro IX).
In 1885 the national highway opened with Goro Shinozaki (prefectural governor) who invented Kitashirakawanomiya Yoshihisa and Aritomo Yamagata to a performance by eight Furumachi Geigi. The neighborhood of Furumachi became a hot topic with Furumachi Geigi beginning to gain quite a reputation about their skill and elegance. Later on in the Taisho era the Furumachi Geigi District was considered one of Japan's top three entertainment districts, alongside Gion in Kyoto and Shinbashi in Tokyo, which makes it a place visitors are really interested in. This would give rise to people becoming further interested in dance schools and performers had an opportunity to perform at the 26th Convention of National Restaurant and Cuisine Association of Japan that was held in Niigata City as part of the entertainment of the day.
In 1933, Taisho era, the Ichiyama school held the ``Ichiyama Kendōkai'' at the Meijiza Theater in Tokyo, then in 1935 at the ``Funae Odori' (Niigata City Industrial Association) where the choreography was handled by Ichikawa VII and Nakako Ichikawa who would later pass in 1959. During the War geisha houses were closed and would be working as a volunteer member of the Geisha Federation and after the war Shigefuji Fujima opened at training hall in Nishibori-dori 8-cho, but the number of Furumachi Geigi would decrease substantially from the effects of post-war of 160 to 110.
Niigata Geigi Characteristics
Niigata Geisha Okiya Association 新潟芸妓置屋組合, is a strong part in revitalizing the profession as they are collecting individuality of the people in the area, understand the local character of what's unique to Niigata, and separate what's the same as in Gion Kyoto and Shinbashi Tokyo. The Geigi has become Iconic and connected to Traditional Culture as a mascot-like role, but is very different from the Iconic Yurachara (Character Mascots) that are connected to Prefecture Education and Awareness. As Geigi would be geographically used in such areas the specifics of each areas similarities would make it easy to identify, however the differences would be in the details of the Niigata Color Palette, preserving and speaking the Niigata Dialect, the songs that were played Niigata folk songs (Niigata Okesa, Minato Odori, Niigata of the Four Seasons, Niigata Kouta), and the behavior of Niigata people would come through.
Also, it would be notable that Niigata’s Licensed Kimono Stylists that had some of the best Kimono makers that reflected Niigata designs and snow country layers with elements that would show the fabric was identifiably Niigata-style with what could be described to be done with a sort of Niigata sensibility to it. Many of the features of the designs of the kimonos in Niigata are to bring the beauty of the natural surroundings and an understanding of the flowers of Niigatas gardens and the appearance of the snow and ice as well as notable animals is something commonly seen. This would also relate with the theming of Niigata Kaiseki-ryori which would be served to guests for a multicourse meal where culinary masters could display their understanding of Niigata things through the appearance of the food as well as the ingredients used. Many industries such as Niigata Kaiseki services, Niigata Tea and Niigata Washoku services, Niigata Kimono services, Niigata Entertainment services, Traditional Performing Arts education services, appreciation of Machiya Architecture, and promotion of Niigata Ryokans.
Niigata Furumachi Geigi Official https://www.niigata-cci.or.jp/geigi