The basic challenge for you to become a maiko is that you need to speak and understand Japanese perfectly, because none of your masters, trainers, colleagues, and patrons would communicate with you in English. They have their own ''dialect'' and vocabularies that even native Japanese like me sometime cannot understand, so the perfect command of the language is a must. Without the language skill, no Okiya (maiko training house) will take you.
The other challenge to be a maiko is that you need to convince your parents. Without the parental approval, they donft even consider taking you for training. You know, they donft want to deal with runaways and free lodgers. Once you get approval from your parent, the best way is to have your parent contact Ookini Zaidan, the guild for Hanamachi business. On their website, there are minimum requirements for their expectations.
http://www.ookinizaidan.com/1. Becoming a Maiko is not about getting jobs (There is a chance you donft become a Geisha).
2. Best to be 15~17 years old.
3. No taller than 160cm
4. At least 43kg weight
5. Parental Approval
6. You must love Japanese traditional music and dancing.
7. Your lifestyle will also be traditional. You donft mind sleeping on floor (There will be no beds).
8. Cleaning and washing is a part of training. You must to be a hard worker and tidy.
9. No money required and everything will be taken cared by Okiya.
10. You need to training at least 4~5 years.
If the guild considers that you could be a good candidate, they will resend your resume to Okiyas that might be interested taking you. This is how Hanamachi business works. Again for you case, just learning Japanese two years outside of Japan is not up to their consideration, but itfs all about how passionate and willing you are, I suppose. On their website, there is a phone and fax number, and e-mail address. You probably need to contact you in Japanese, or otherwise, they will not take seriously about you.
There is also a high school called Higashiyama Joshi Gakuen, the all-girl high school in Kyoto. You wonft get a high school proficiency certificate because itfs a specialized school, but there, you will also learn various types of dances, music instruments, tea ceremony, and flower arrangement and things like that. You need to find your own place to stay and school fees for this. This school is backed up by Hanamachi Business.
At your age, itfs important for you to have a goal and dream. You really need to work hard to become a geisha, but if you think you can handle all the obstacles and challenges upon you, Ifll say good luck to you.
