Paying for Geisha Training
The years between entering the okiya and starting service as a maiko could be extremely expensive. The okiya covered geisha schools, food, housing, clothing and accessories, instruments, and other living expenses. Successful okiya managers, often former geisha themselves, kept meticulous records of how much they invested in training and living expenses for the girls in the household.
Every massive debt had to be paid back when the girl started working as a maiko (apprentice geisha). Geisha could only leave the okiya when her debts were completely paid. Girls favored by the okāsan, the adopted or okāsan ‘s biological daughter might become atotori, or heiress to the okiya. Atotori had a less costly entrance into geisha life. Her debts would be absorbed by the okiya, but it meant lifelong dedication to the house and eventual service as okāsan.
