Geisha numbers grow as internet and TV coverage explodes

Geisha houses are reporting an influx of young women for training as Geisha after years in which the traditional trade appeared doomed to disappear.

The numbers of young maiko, or trainee Geisha, rose above 100 in March this year for the first time since time since the 1950s.

The boom in recruiting follows the establishment of a website by the Kyoto Traditional Musical Art Foundation, which made the music, dance and practices of the Geisha available to those outside the formerly closed world of the courtesans and their clients.