Kyoto: The Enigmatic Entertainers of Gion

• Documentary

Episode overview

In Higashiyama, Kyoto, Gion evolved as the district in front of the Yasaka Shrine gates, and now has more than 300 years of history. Its narrow streets are lined with over 50 old-style teahouses. At twilight, beautifully dressed geiko and maiko walk towards their parlors. It is a sought-after destination for countless tourists foreign and domestic, but the teahouses where the geiko and maiko entertain customers only admit people with introductions. There is almost never an opportunity to see the ladies at their finest. For this program, we spent many hours capturing this little-known world. The graceful and captivating dances for customers, and the daily lives of the geiko and maiko, who constantly refine their art in a world of rigid formality. How do they feel as they live in this town? This is the story of the women who live in the geisha quarter, Gion.