/jp/ - Otaku Culture

>>8753520
Ooooooooooh yes. There are many drop outs. Some third year maikos even quit and have a big debt to repay the okaa-san. A maiko is under nenki (contract) for her whole apprenticeship. The okaa-san pays for her expensive kimonos (at least four for each season), hanakanzashi (hair ornaments), shoes, weekly hairstylings, etc. etc. etc. She pays it back over the course of her apprenticeship and for some of her career as a geisha. The more popular, the quicker she pays it off.

Once the debt is paid she's an independent geisha (jimae geisha) and can opt to leave the okiya if she so chooses. They typically stay though for further experience training.