Junior maiko skin - Ichi nin mae

Attention: this is the formal version of the regular ichi nin mae skin, which can be found here. This means this skin has three white-painted prongs in the neck, instead of the normal two.

This is the skin of a first year maiko or ichi nin mae; a maiko who has had her formal debut into geisha society less than a year ago. Her upper lip is left unpainted, because she is still considered a little child and not yet a professional. The white paint on her skin also has a lot of pink in it, makes her look more youthful.

Shiroi means white in Japanese, and o-shiroi refers to the white makeup so distinguishable of maiko and geisha. This makeup is highlighted with red lipstick, and also red at the corners of the eyes, traditionally believed for keeping demons away. Red is a very prominent color in maiko ensembles and is present, lightly, in geiko ensemble too. It symbolizes youth and femininity.

While dressed up in their regular ensemble geiko and maiko will paint "eriashi" on the back of their neck, leaving two prongs of bare skin. However, a geiko's wig usually covers up their eriashi, though they still paint it as such. While wearing formal ensembles they will paint "sanbonashi" which is three prongs of unpainted skin.

During the period of Odori when geiko who do tea ceremony style their own hair, they will use o-shiroi on their neck and back but not on their faces, instead using western-style make-up. Only geiko do this, maiko do not.