Basics of Ozashiki Etiquette

Even though the concept of Ozashiki may seem unfamiliar and daunting for beginners,
Mukojima Kagai offers numerous traditional Japanese restaurants where even first-timers can enjoy the company of geisha in this setting.
The Flow of the Ozashiki
Generally, Ozashiki sessions follow a specific sequence.
Understanding this flow can help you enjoy the Ozashiki experience without feeling nervous.
Please take a moment to read through this before heading to Ozashiki.
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01Start
The session begins once everyone participating has gathered. There's a designated time for the presence of geisha in the Ozashiki. Arriving late means potentially reducing the time available to enjoy the company of the geisha, so it's important to be mindful of this.
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02Conversation With the Geisha
While enjoying a Kaiseki-Ryori (traditional multi-course meal), guests indulge in drinks and con-versation with the geisha. As the geisha pour drinks for the guests, it's polite to offer them drinks as well by saying 'douzo.' Geisha typically do not eat during the banquet.
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03Ozashiki Odori Dance
Once the dance begins, chatting and eating are temporarily paused. Indulge in the songs and dances performed by the geisha, tailored to the occasion.
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04Ozashiki-Asobi Games
Enjoy Ozashiki-Asobi with the geisha. Even if you're unfamiliar with the games, the geisha will kindly teach you how to play.
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05Closing
Although it may initially come to an end, if time feels insufficient, consider inviting the geisha to a cooperative establishment. There might be another Ozashiki reservation following yours, but if not, it's possible to extend the duration. (Additional charges will apply)
Ozashiki-Asobi Games
They are games played with geisha to liven up gatherings.
These games often utilize items in the Ozashiki and involve simple activities that anyone can participate in.
Here are three common games.
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Kompira Funefune
This game involves a geisha and a customer sitting facing each other with a small table in be-tween, and a bowl placed atop the table. To the tune of the "Kompira Funefune" song, both par-ties alternately place their hands on top of the sake cup in the middle and quickly retract them. If your opponent picks up the tool, you're "Rock." If the tool remains untouched, it's "Paper." As the tempo increases, the one who makes a mistake loses.
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Tora Tora
Tora Tora is a gesture game similar to"Rock-paper-scissors." This is a game in which the geisha and the customer dance to the tune of the "Tora Tora" song, while a folding screen or something similar is placed between the geisha and the customer to obscure each other's view. At the end of the song, each person makes a gesture representing either a tiger, Watonai, or an old woman (Watonai's mother) to compete. The tiger loses to Watonai, Watonai loses to the old woman, and the old woman loses to the tiger.
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Omawarisan
This is a game where there is a drum placed between the geisha and the customer. Both stand at either side of the drum and, to the tune of the "Omawarisan Yoiyasa" song, play rock-paper-scissors. The rule is that the winner strikes the drum twice, while the loser spins in place once. Gradually increase the speed of the song, and the one who makes a mistake loses.
特別な花街ことば
花柳界界には数多くの独特なことばが残っています。
地域によっても少しずつ異なり、各地域ごとに独特な世界を作り出しています。
花街で遊ぶために知っておきたい最低限のことばをご紹介します。
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お座敷をつける
宴席に入っている芸妓がお座敷で
季節の踊りや小唄振りなどを披露すること。
「お座つき」とも言います。 -
一本 (いっぽん)
一人前の大人だと認められた芸妓のこと。
「半玉」からの卒業を意味します。 -
遠出 (とおで)
芸妓が所属している花街以外(東京都外含む)の、
お座敷や船遊び・行楽地への同行などをすること。 -
出先 (でさき)
その日芸妓衆が呼ばれている先の料亭のこと。
芸妓衆は「今日のお出先さん」などと言います。 -
花代 (はなだい)、玉代 (ぎょくだい)
芸妓を呼んで宴席を設ける場合の代金のこと。
花代とは別に芸妓の技芸に対しては
ご祝儀をお渡しします。 -
馴染み (なじみ)
お座敷に3回以上来てくださったお客様を
「馴染み」と言います。
2回目のお客様は「裏を返す」と言います。
お座敷で必要なもの
「ご祝儀」をご用意ください。
お座敷での「ご祝儀」とは、海外で言うチップのようなものです。
お客様が芸妓衆に気持ちを表すものとして渡す心付けです。
芸妓衆に直接わたしたり、女将にまとめて渡すこともできます。