Ikuko moved gracefully as she danced for shoppers in a busy Tokyo mall, the geisha's black kimono gently swaying with each precise movement. Only, the 86-year-old wasn't really there — it was a ...

Japan’s dwindling population of geishas—the traditional embodiment of refinement, who elegantly straddle the line between performance artists and hostesses—have a pretty bum deal. To put it simply, ...

Japan’s ancient capital of Kyoto, long a popular destination for tourists, is closing off some private-property alleys in its famous geisha district because of complaints about misbehaving visitors.

SHIMODA, Japan — With a few hesitant steps and the swoosh of kimono against a tatami-mat floor, it isn’t long before Awagiku finds her rhythm, moving with what comes close to perfection by the end of ...

SHIMODA, Japan (Reuters) - It takes Rinka at least two hours to apply her thick white makeup and get dressed in an elaborate kimono on formal occasions, as is typical of most trainee geisha. But ...

ATAMI, Japan (Reuters Life!) - Pictures of Kokin graced newspapers across Japan after her 98th birthday this year. But Kokin wasn't too thrilled with the festivities focused on her age, for she is a ...

The film is set in Japan, the characters are quintessentially Japanese and the actress in the title role is … Chinese. Memoirs of a Geisha is the latest film highlighting how few Japanese have made it ...