The modern Geiko (Kyoto term for Geisha) starts her life in the Kyoto Okiya (houses), these days around the age of 15, although traditionally it was much younger. After learning skills in hospitality and traditional arts, she will go on to become a Maiko – an apprentice Geiko. The young Maiko will follow her mentor and ‘older sister’ Geiko to appointments, shadowing her movements and observing the skill of repartee and reserve with the clients.