About Mukojima Kagai

The Geisha World You Never Knew
It's a world of secrecy, where geisha showcase their arts such as singing, dancing, and playing shamisen, and occupy the banquet rooms, creating an extraordinary realm for enjoying cuisine and drinks.

What is a Kagai?

The place where geisha engage in their activities is referred to as a "Kagai." The reading of the kanji varies by region, but it is often read as "Hanamachi" or "Kagai." The term is said to originate from the Chinese phrase "" (Kagai ryuko) which symbolizes a town with charming women resem-bling the beauty of red flowers and green willows. The Kagai serves as a commercial hub where various industries gather around the presence of geisha. It becomes a bustling area where arti-sans gather to meet the needs of people flowing into the city, giving rise to entertainment, and shaping local customs, aesthetics, and performing arts specific to each region.

From Everyday Life to the Extraordinary
Mukojima, Once a Hidden Retreat

“The term””mukou” in Mukojima refers to the areas like Sumida, Terajima, and Ushijima, which are seen as the opposite side when viewed from Asakusa. During the Edo period, it was re-nowned for its cherry blossoms, scattered shrines, and temples, with pastoral landscapes just a little further out. Along the riverbank, there were restaurants and teahouses where affluent indi-viduals, tired of the extravagance in Edo, brought geisha from Yoshiwara and Yanagibashi to visit Mukojima's establishments. For the people of Edo, crossing to Mukojima by boat was an escape from the ordinary, a secluded retreat.

Ryotei

A restaurant that serves Japanese food, especially kaiseki cuisine, and is permitted to invite gei-sha to the Ozashiki. Ozashiki refers to a banquet to which geisha are invited.

Okiya

These geisha houses hold the responsibility of educating the geisha community. The Okami (landlady), while living and dining with the geisha and apprentice geisha, provides comprehensive education in various aspects of life. The name is derived from the fact that it is the house where geisha display their signboard.

Kenban

An office that handles business communication between Ryotei and Okiya and dispatches gei-sha. It centrally manages the sales of geisha and is responsible for public relations and serving as the contact point for the entertainment district. It also functions as the office of an association formed by ryotei, okiya, and geisha.