AKITA--A “maiko” apprentice geisha who trained in classical ballet is set to make her official debut in the local geisha community here in late May, making her the first newcomer in four and a half ...

KYOTO, Japan — On the quiet streets of Kyoto you will get a glimpse of them. Dressed in Kimono. The familiar white makeup. Walking quickly. That is the extent of what most people see of a geisha.

Geisha training is unglamorous, routine work day in and day out. Photo / Getty Images Mentor fully understands how difficult it is to raise today's young girls to full-fledged maiko. In the geisha ...