Japan: Maiko girls

Maiko is an apprentice geiko (not exactly same as geisha) in Kyoto, western Japan. Their jobs consist of performing songs, dances, and playing the shamisen or the koto (traditional Japanese instruments) for visitors during feasts. Maiko are usually aged 15 to 20 years old and become geiko after learning how to dance the traditional kyomai dances, play the shamisen, and learning Kyō-kotoba (dialect of Kyoto), regardless of their origins.

This very old stamps are:
Narrow Road to a Far Province by Basho Matsuo (from set of four), issued on 13.02.1989.
Seto Inland Sea National Park, issued on 20.08.1963.


Thank you Yuka!