ENJOY “Lady Maiko” Musical  WITH “THE YOKOSO JAPAN TICKET”

While Kyoto is a popular holiday for both foreigners and local Japanese, the numbers of people who have experienced “Teahouse play” are limited, even amongst the Japanese. Today, we hope to introduce foreign visitors to the traditional world of Kyoto and Maiko through Japanese musicals.

This musical tells the story of a young lady, Haruko, who travels to the red-light district of Kyoto to fulfill her dream of becoming a Maiko. Haruko speaks with a strong dialect due to her rural upbringing, but she is protected by people in the red-light district (home to Maiko and Geisha), as she works hard in becoming a Maiko.

“Lady Maiko” was inspired by “My Fair Lady”, starring Audrey Hepburn. Similar to Haruko, Hepburn plays a young lady born in the rural area who can only speak dialect. The story develops as she falls in love with a phonetics professor, who helps to correct her dialect as part of a wager.

Scene 1

As a young girl, Haruko leaves the rural area and comes under the wing of the landlady of the teahouse, in order to become a Maiko. Along the way, she becomes a Maiko apprentice. Despite her best efforts, she is unable to correct her dialect and learn the ways of Maiko. Eventually, the tremendous stress causes her to completely lose her voice.

Scene 2

The people around Haruko treated her warmly when she lost her voice. The intertwining episodes of the life Haruko’s deceased mother when she was a Maiko, and the landlady’s unfulfilled first love, set the stage to welcome Haruko’s journey to become a Maiko.

The main lead, Yuzuki Fuka, who plays Haruko, is currently the most sought after actress in the world of Japanese musicals. Fuka also appeared in “Death Note” musical as Amane Misa, and in “Les Miserables” as Eponine.

Do you know the different between Maiko and Geiko? Maiko spends her life in a shared housing known as Okiya, which acts as a dispatch company. During this time, the Maiko trains in dancing and various instruments until she turns 22. On the other hand, Geiko works independently as a lone professional performer at the playroom (a place for entertainment).

Fukuoka City Tourist Information (Tenjin) is offering tickets

◆Special discount for foreigners　

“THE YOKOSO JAPAN TICKET”  JPY5,000

◆Multi-lingual Tourist Information staff will assist in ticket sales and provide information.