The Shikomi: Geisha in early training

Shikomi literally means in training. At this stage, the girls are tasked to do the household chores and to assist and serve her seniors.

This stage lasts for roughly six months.

It is to orient the girl on the rules, the discipline that she has to follow while in the house. It is the adjustment period for the young girls, to familiarize themselves with the geisha world. Kimono clad, they go through there tasks and participate in rituals.

Mistakes as always are given tantamount reprimands. They are instructed to learn the Kyoto dialect and use the archaic geisha vocabulary.