Kikumame, an apprentice geiko, is seen playing a street piano to mark her final performance as a maiko in the city of Yamatokoriyama, Nara Prefecture, on Oct. 30, 2021. (Mainichi/Kenji Konoha) =Click/tap photo for more images.

       YAMATOKORIYAMA, Nara -- Kikumame, a "maiko" apprentice geiko at the Ganrinin hanamachi entertainment district in the city of Nara, played a colorful street piano on Oct. 30 to mark her final performance as a maiko.

       The show was held in accordance with the Naraken Minna de Tanoshimu Dai-geijutsusai, literally meaning "great arts festival for everyone in Nara Prefecture to enjoy," as an unveiling ceremony for the street piano set up at the Nara Prefectural museum of folklore in the prefectural city of Yamatokoriyama.

       Kikumame, 19, appeared in white makeup and a kimono that day. After graduating from junior high school, she entered a cram school for maiko, hosted by 48-year-old geiko Kikuno, and trained there. But the coronavirus crisis took a toll on Kikumame, who had been steadily gaining experience.

       She lost almost all chances to entertain customers during gatherings and parties called ozashiki, meaning there was nowhere to show off the results of her training.

       Last year, Kikuno established the Naramachi Hanaakari YouTube channel to motivate maiko and inform younger generations about the traditional culture of hanamachi. So far more than 170 videos such as those introducing how maiko dress and their belongings have been posted. Sometimes the performance of Kikumame, who is good at playing the piano, would also be posted.

       However, the reality that she had no work even after practicing for about two years was harsh for young Kikumame. She was gradually deprived of motivation and decided to quit at the end of October. For the video of her final performance, she chose to play mainly classical music including Chopin's.

       Kikumame, who said she "is considering becoming a piano teacher," smiled at the end of her performance as if she put the past behind her.

       (Japanese original by Kenji Konoha, Osaka Photo Department)

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