2019.6.14
2019.6.14
Ozashiki Asobi is a traditional gathering party where Maiko and Geiko entertain guests with exquisite dances, fun filled games, and enchanting conversation.
It grants the participants a chance to peek into the life of a Maiko and Geiko and we want to open this amazing style of party to the rest of the world!
We need YOUR help to help create chances for not just Japanese people but also foreigners to come and take part in Ozashiki Asobi!
Kyoto, the traditional capital of Japan, whose name even means capital.
With this it is home to a number of traditional cultural points, with maybe one of the most famous being Geisha. In Japanese, these performers are known as Maiko (舞妓 まいこ) and Geiko (芸子 げいこ) and can be found wandering around the old capital as well as performing at restaurants doing Ozashiki Asobi.
Ozashiki Asobi (お座敷遊び おざしきあそび) is a tradition were the Maiko and Geiko entertain guests with music and dances as well as talking with the guests. While the name is the name of a game played during these parties, the whole dinner is also known as such. With drinks and food flowing, it is a great way to learn about Maiko and Geiko culture in a rather relaxed fashion. What's more each session lasts about 2 to 2 and a half hours which means you have plenty of time to talk to a Maiko!
By getting this chance to talk in a relaxed manner with these beautiful Maiko and Geiko, it is an opportunity to learn about them and the age-old traditional culture!
With Japan's population being only 3% foreigners and the remaining 97% being Japanese nationals, it's obvious it has a long way to go in terms of accommodating foreigners. Kyoto alone had over 53.6 million people visit the area in 2017, but even with this only 27% that stayed overnight were from North America and Europe compared to the 58% from Asia. This leads to a rather large gap in what accommodations are made for visitors from English speaking countries.
As well as this, many establishments that deal with Maiko and Geiko aren't fond of welcoming those that have never had the experience of Ozashiki Asobi before, leaving even many Japanese people in the dark about how to enjoy this amazing traditional part of Japanese culture.
This idea of 一見さんお断り or Refusal of First Timers, is quite prominent, and while it might seem harsh, it is mainly due to the reasoning that many don't know the manners or how to act during Ozashiki Asobi.
Hello everyone, my name is Kaoru Wasa (和佐 薫), and I help with the running of Maiko Club (舞子倶楽部) and Geisha Japan. Our aim is to bring the wonderful and beautiful traditional culture of Geisha to the world. As well as this, we run events like no other company in Japan. We're looking to not only carry on this work but expand it so that people from all over the world can enjoy this amazing traditional part of Japanese Culture. We can only do this by bringing in English speaking staff!
Maiko Club was made with the idea to allow for many people to enjoy the culture of the Hanamachi (or Kagai to locals) area , in particular the Maiko culture, and to allow people from all over.
Since then we had a massive call from people from overseas, with comments such as:
[I would love to join one of your events in the future!]
[I'll be in Kyoto in the near future, but where should I go to meet Maiko?]
[I can't speak Japanese but I would love to join in with Ozashiki Asobi!]
After seeing these comments, we realised that the amount of people that are visiting Kyoto already have a large interest in Japanese culture, and they wish to be able to not just learn about this culture but also be able to participate in it.
However, at the moment with the culture of refusing first timers to the many different shops, it's hard for Japanese and even harder for foreigners to experience the area.
At the current situation we are looking at bringing in full time English Speaking staff to help with multiple parts of our operation.
They would be needed to help with the translation of the events that we hold, which would mean that they would need to be taught and made to understood all the intricacies of the Maiko performances, as well as having a good understanding of the life of Maiko and Geiko.
As well as this, we need to have them help with the creation of the English side of the Maiko Club Website, and also with helping with the inquiries we receive via SNS.
A number of returns have been prepared for both those that want to participate in the events we wish to hold and those that have an interest but aren't able to come to watch.
Some of the experience type of events also are focused towards our Japanese fans, so they don't have a translator attached to them. Please be careful when choosing your return!
＜This return contains＞
★1 Cleaning Cloth that have been illustrated by a Maiko! !
★6 Maiko hand-drawn postcards and a senjafuda signed by a Maiko!
△Access to the special Facebook group
△Thanks email and updates!
△Name on the homepage!
＜This return contains＞
★Receive a special name card with your name written in Japanese
★6 Maiko hand-drawn postcards and a senjafuda signed by a Maiko!
△Access to the special Facebook group
△Thanks email and updates!
△Name on the homepage!
＜This return contains＞
★An invitation to a special Ozashiki Asobi created after the end of the crowdfunding period! The dates are as follows:
August: 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th
September: 4th,11th,18th 25th
Up to 30 people can join each session! If you wish to confirm a date, please don't hesitate to contact us via Japankuru Funding.
★A maiko hand-drawn postcard signed by a Maiko!
△Access to the special Facebook group
△Thanks email and updates!
△Name on the homepage!
＜This return contains＞
★A special picture of a Maiko that you can use as a phone or PC background!
△Access to the special Facebook group
△Thanks email and updates!
△Name on the homepage!
＜This return contains＞
★6 Maiko hand-drawn postcards and a senjafuda signed by a Maiko!
△Access to the special Facebook group
△Thanks email and updates!
△Name on the homepage!
＜This return contains＞
★Receive a special hairpin that has been used by a Maiko (tell us in the remarks section which colour you would like Red pin and Red bead/ Black pin and Green bead / Red and Blue bead)!
△Access to the special Facebook group
△Thanks email and updates!
△Name on the homepage!
＜This return contains＞
★Receive a specially made hand towel with a hand drawn image! Size:91×36cm
★6 Maiko hand-drawn postcards and a senjafuda signed by a Maiko!
△Access to the special Facebook group
△Thanks email and updates!
△Name on the homepage!
＜This return contains＞
★An invitation to a special Ozashiki Asobi created after the end of the crowdfunding period!
★6 Maiko hand-drawn postcards and a senjafuda signed by a Maiko!
△Access to the special Facebook group
△Thanks email and updates!
△Name on the homepage!
＜This return contains＞
★A maiko hand-drawn fan specially made for you!
★Receive a specially made hand towel called a Tengui with a hand-drawn image!
★Receive a special hairpin that has been used by a Maiko (tell us in the remarks section which colour you would like Red pin and Red bead/ Black pin and Green bead / Red and Blue bead)!
★6 Maiko hand-drawn postcards and a senjafuda signed by a Maiko!
★A Cleaning Cloth that has been illustrated by a Maiko! !
△Access to the special Facebook group
△Thanks email and updates!
△Name on the homepage!
＜This return contains＞
★An invitation to a special Ozashiki Asobi created after the end of the crowdfunding period! The dates are as follows:
August: 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th
September: 4th,11th,18th 25th
Up to 30 people can join each session! If you wish to confirm a date, please don't hesitate to contact us via Japankuru Funding.
★A commemorative picture of your time at the event!
△Access to the special Facebook group
△Thanks email and updates!
△Name on the homepage!
＜This return contains＞
★(Japanese Language only)An invitation to a special photoshoot after the end of the crowdfunding period!
★A commemorative picture of your time at the event!
△Access to the special Facebook group
△Thanks email and updates!
△Name on the homepage!
＜This return contains＞
★(Japanese Language only)An invitation to a special Maiko event such as Maiko Graduation to Geiko after the end of the crowdfunding period!
For August the schedule has events such as:
Banquet at a Beer Garden in Kamishichiken or Miyakawacho!
★A commemorative picture of your time at the event!
△Access to the special Facebook group
△Thanks email and updates!
△Name on the homepage!
＜This return contains＞
★An invitation to an fun and interesting traditional game after the end of the crowdfunding period!
★A commemorative picture of your time at the event!
△Access to the special Facebook group
△Thanks email and updates!
△Name on the homepage!
＜This return contains＞
★An invitation to a once in a lifetime private party for two after the end of the crowdfunding period!
★A commemorative picture of your time at the event!
△Access to the special Facebook group
△Thanks email and updates!
△Name on the homepage!
＜This return contains＞
★An invitation to a once in a lifetime private party for two held at a Michelin Star Japanese Style Restaurant after the end of the crowdfunding period!
★A commemorative picture of your time at the event!
△Access to the special Facebook group
△Thanks email and updates!
△Name on the homepage!
＜This return contains＞
★A special picture of a Maiko that you can use as a phone or PC background!
△Access to the special Facebook group
△Thanks email and updates!
△Name on the homepage!
＜This return contains＞
★A special picture of a Maiko that you can use as a phone or PC background!
△Access to the special Facebook group
△Thanks email and updates!
△Name on the homepage!
As the amount of visitors to our amazing city increases yearly, and in particular the rise of foreign English speaking tourists becoming more apparent, we want to try help accommodate this people.
Having the opportunity to be able to increase the amount of people that understand the Maiko and Geiko culture, and increase the chance for people to help support this beautiful part of Japanese culture, makes us feel amazingly happy and lucky.
We hope that with our actions we can help this culture carry on.
We also look forward to meeting new people that have an interest in Maiko and Geiko culture. By bringing new English speaking staff in, they will join our small group of enthuasiasts that look to bring the modern day and traditional culture together in new exciting ways.
Thank you for reading about our project and we hope that you can back and share this project with everyone you know!
Thank you!
This is an All or Nothing project. This project will be funded if the amount of money raised exceeds its target amount.
Back for free（Share Project）
This is an All or Nothing project. This project will be funded if the amount of money raised exceeds its target amount.
0 supporters are backing / Only 30 left
Get a special set of 1 cloths that have been designed by a Maiko!
＜This return contains＞
★1 Cleaning Cloth that has been illustrated by a Maiko! Size：10×20cm
★6 Maiko hand-drawn postcards and a senjafuda signed by a Maiko!
△Access to the special Facebook group
△Thanks email and updates!
△Name on the homepage!
1 supporters are backing / Only 29 left
Have your name written in Japanese on 10 traditional name cards by a Maiko!＜This return contains＞
★Receive 10 special name cards with your name written in Japanese by a Maiko !※Please let us know the name you want written in the remarks section!
★6 Maiko hand-drawn postcards and a senjafuda signed by a Maiko!
△Access to the special Facebook group
△Thanks email and updates!
△Name on the homepage!
0 supporters are backing / Only 10 left
Get an invitation to a Ozashiki Asobi that will be held once a week on a Wednesday after the end of the project. These will start on August 7th if the project is successful.
＜This return contains＞
★An invitation to a special Ozashiki Asobi created after the end of the crowdfunding period! The dates are as follows:
August: 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th
September: 4th,11th,18th 25th
Up to 30 people can join each session! If you wish to confirm a date or if you want to choose a date after September, please don't hesitate to contact us via Japankuru Funding.
★A commemorative picture of your time at the event!
△Access to the special Facebook group
△Thanks email and updates!
△Name on the homepage!
0 supporters are backing / Stock: no limit
Become a supporter of the Maiko tradition and help us achieve our goal.＜This return contains＞
★A special picture of a Maiko that you can use as a phone or PC background!
△Access to the special Facebook group
△Thanks email and Updates!
△Name on the Homepage!
0 supporters are backing / Only 30 left
Receive a special set of Maiko post cards, as well as a senjafuda signed by one!＜This return contains＞
★6 Maiko hand-drawn postcards and a senjafuda signed by a Maiko!
△Access to the special Facebook group
△Thanks email and updates!
△Name on the homepage!
1 supporters are backing / Only 29 left
We'll send you a special hair pin called a Kanzashi that a Maiko will have used!
＜This return contains＞
★Receive a special hairpin that has been used by a Maiko (tell us in the remarks section which colour you would like Red pin and Red bead/ Black pin and Green bead / Red and Blue bead)!
△Access to the special Facebook group
△Thanks email and updates!
△Name on the homepage!
1 supporters are backing / Only 29 left
＜This return contains＞
★Receive 2 specially made hand towels called a Tengui with a hand-drawn image! Size: 91×36cm
★6 Maiko hand-drawn postcards and a senjafuda signed by a Maiko!
△Access to the special Facebook group
△Thanks email and updates!
△Name on the homepage!
0 supporters are backing / Only 30 left
Get one of these amazing traditional fans, that have been designed by a Maiko!
＜This return contains＞
★A Maiko hand-drawn fan especially made for you!
★6 Maiko hand-drawn postcards and a senjafuda signed by a Maiko!
△Access to the special Facebook group
△Thanks email and updates!
△Name on the homepage!
0 supporters are backing / Only 30 left
Get a whole set of the Traditional Goods at a special price!!
＜This return contains＞
★A maiko hand-drawn fan specially made for you!
★Receive a specially made hand towel called a Tengui with a hand-drawn image! Size:91×36cm
★Receive a special hairpin that has been used by a Maiko (tell us in the remarks section which colour you would like Red pin and Red bead/ Black pin and Green bead / Red and Blue bead)!
★6 Maiko hand-drawn postcards and a senjafuda signed by a Maiko!
★A Cleaning Cloth that has been illustrated by a Maiko! Size：10×20cm
△Access to the special Facebook group
△Thanks email and updates!
△Name on the homepage!
0 supporters are backing / Stock: no limit
Get an invitation to a Ozashiki Asobi that will be held once a week on a Wednesday after the end of the project. These will start on August 7th if the project is successful.
＜This return contains＞
★An invitation to a special Ozashiki Asobi created after the end of the crowdfunding period! The dates are as follows:
August: 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th
September: 4th,11th,18th 25th
Up to 30 people can join each session! If you wish to confirm a date or if you want to choose a date after September, please don't hesitate to contact us via Japankuru Funding.
★A commemorative picture of your time at the event!
△Access to the special Facebook group
△Thanks email and updates!
△Name on the homepage!
0 supporters are backing / Stock: no limit
＜This return contains＞
★(Japanese Language only)An invitation to a special photo shoot after the end of the crowdfunding period!
★A commemorative picture of your time at the event!
△Access to the special Facebook group
△Thanks email and updates!
△Name on the homepage!
0 supporters are backing / Stock: no limit
(Japanese Language only) If you can understand Japanese, then you can back this return and receive the chance to attend a special Maiko event, such as graduation to Geiko and so on.
＜This return contains＞
★(Japanese Language only)An invitation to a special Maiko event such as Maiko Graduation to Geiko after the end of the crowdfunding period!
For August the schedule has events such as:
Banquet at a Beer Garden in Kamishichiken or Miyakawacho!
★A commemorative picture of your time at the event!
△Access to the special Facebook group
△Thanks email and updates!
△Name on the homepage!
0 supporters are backing / Stock: no limit
Choose this return to get an invitation to play a special traditional game called Tousenkyo, a game that looks deceptively easy. You will be invited for an hour and a half between 13:00 to 17:00, and at the end of the event you will have chance to have your picture taken as a commemorative picture! You only need to back once per group!
＜This return contains＞
★An invitation to an fun and interesting traditional game after the end of the crowdfunding period!
★A commemorative picture of your time at the event!
△Access to the special Facebook group
△Thanks email and updates!
△Name on the homepage!
0 supporters are backing / Stock: no limit
Back this big return, and get your tickets for up to three people to a private party. To use this, you will need to organise with us to determine a date to hold this party! You only need to back once per group!
＜This return contains＞
★An invitation to a once in a lifetime private party for two after the end of the crowdfunding period!
★A commemorative picture of your time at the event!
△Access to the special Facebook group
△Thanks email and updates!
△Name on the homepage!
0 supporters are backing / Stock: no limit
Back this big return, and get your tickets for up to three people to a private party that is held at a Michelin Star Japanese Style Restaurant. To use this, you will need to organise with us to determine a date to hold this party! You only need to back once per group!
＜This return contains＞
★An invitation to a once in a lifetime private party for up to three held at a Michelin Star Japanese Style Restaurant after the end of the crowdfunding period!
★A commemorative picture of your time at the event!
△Access to the special Facebook group
△Thanks email and updates!
△Name on the homepage!
0 supporters are backing / Stock: no limit
Donate and become a supporter of the traditional Maiko culture!
＜This return contains＞
★A special picture of a Maiko that you can use as a phone or PC background!
△Access to the special Facebook group
△Thanks email and updates!
△Name on the homepage!
0 supporters are backing / Stock: no limit
Donate and become a supporter of the traditional Maiko culture!
＜This return contains＞
★A special picture of a Maiko that you can use as a phone or PC background!
△Access to the special Facebook group
△Thanks email and updates!
△Name on the homepage!
Nelson
Please keep up the good work to keep the geiko and maiko culture alive !! Ganbatte Kudasai !!