"How much does it cost to hire a maiko?"

Maiko's Financial Situation

　I thought I'd write a little about the financial situation of maiko. The question in the title is often asked, and when I hear it, I'm at a loss, just saying "Hmm."
　That's because the answer is "I don't really know." "Hey, don't run away! That's sly!" I can almost hear the jeers, but it's true. Strictly speaking, I feel like I vaguely understand, but it varies depending on who you ask and the time, so in the end, I really don't know. I wish someone would tell me.

Going to "O-hana"

　Now, in the Hanamachi, an ozashiki (banquet) is called "O-hana." It sounds strange now, but it was common to say things like, "What time is o-hana today?" or to refer to a kimono not used for lessons as "o-hana-yuki" (for going to o-hana). Consequently, the fee for an ozashiki is called "o-hanadai" (flower fee). The reason I don't know about o-hanadai is that during my seven years of apprenticeship (living-in), I didn't receive a salary (so I didn't know how much I was earning). It's a system where it takes seven years to repay the ochaya (teahouse) through o-hana for the investment, lesson fees, and living expenses required to raise a 15-year-old girl with nothing into a full-fledged geiko or maiko.

Seven Years in the Hanamachi

　Even so, I think it was good in this regard because I believe it's better for one's mental health not to know how much one is being called for. It was also taboo for us to ask guests about their professions, so I might have even met an oil magnate, but I wouldn't know. And because every guest is called "onii-san" (older brother), there were many times when I wondered, "What does that person do?" or "What's their name?" For a mizushobai (nightlife business), it's unusually flat, which I think is quite good. Instead of working for money, being able to dedicate myself to the stage and ozashiki as a type of person called "maiko" or "geiko" was a luxurious and valuable experience. From the eighth year, one becomes independent, so this way of life is limited to seven years even in the hanamachi.