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Setting and NPCs

Submitting Character Biographies

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Information on Geiko (Geisha)

What Geisha Do
Arts and Training
(work-in-progress)

Appearances and Rank
Learn how to tell a maiko's seniority, if a maiko or geisha is real, and important transitional steps in their career.

Geimyo
About geisha names

Geisha Terminology
Some Japanese and Kyoto-ben Vocabulary

Outside Links

Immortal Geisha
This site has tons of information on geisha and pictures too! If you wish to research geisha and maiko this is where you want to come.

Recommended Reading
(coming soon!)

Konnichiwa minna-san!

Firstly I would like to say this--if you do not know a lot or nearly nothing about geisha or maiko (the apprentice geisha) but you still have an interest to join, don't worry! In the role-play you will learn as you go along. Many girls who go off to become geisha actually don't know too much about the profession themselves. 

I'm aware that some people who will join may be new to RPing (roleplaying) while others have years of experience behind them. New or not, RPing advice is usually appreciated in case you get stuck on what to post, whether its starting a new thread or making replies. So, I've come up with a few pointers for anyone who wants them. I'll be adding to this list as I think of more.

I separated this into four sections. Please read them all carefully, as well as the bottom section.

Thoughts and Feelings

When writing a post its important not only to write what your character is doing, either initially or if they're reacting to something, but also to include their thoughts and feelings! This allows a deeper understanding of your character not only for others reading your post but also yourself. You could, for example, write "[Maiko] walked down the street to her next appointment." But you could flair that sentence up any number of ways by asking yourself:

What is she seeing or hearing on her way?
Is she going through the list of appointments in her head?
Reviewing certain songs or dances as she is walking?
Does she see a tourist with a camera, and does it make her happy or annoy her? Does she ignore him/her or stops and poses? What is she thinking as she makes her reaction?
Does she meet any mama-san along the way and have a short, pleasant conversation?

This also helps, of course, interacting with other characters. Maybe Maiko #1 is wearing a smile but her eyes are a giveaway she rather not be playing a drinking game with Customer #2. Maiko #2, if she is friendly towards the other maiko, can chose to hop in. Or maybe Maiko #2 doesn't like working with Maiko #3 and it's clear to Maiko #3. Maybe when Maiko #2 leaves the room Maiko #3 will misplace something of hers. Competing girls can be mean after all ;)
Also, what does your maiko think of the customer before her? Is it a young guy whom she finds attractive? An old chubby man with smelly breath she really rather not be near?

Including thoughts and feelings not only can give a better visual of your maiko or customer (or other person) for your readers. It also helps avoid 1-2 line posts. Let's say you can't give much dialog in a post. This doesn't mean you're limited to a few sentences. How is the dialog making her feel? Or what are her true feelings on the conversation even though she might not be sharing them? Or does she whole-heartedly agree and may have something to add?

Thinking of these things helps turn a one-line post into a possible two or three paragraphs--remember that your imagination is your limit!

Appearance

We may know from an introduction post what your character looks like, but it always helps to allow your readers to visualize your character more when you describe what they're wearing. Let's say Maiko #1 is wearing a purple kimono and Customer #1 compliments her on it because its his favorite, or Maiko #2 says, "I love your kimono! Can I borrow it sometime for such-and-such zashiki?"
Not only clothes but maybe personal looks as well. Maybe [Maiko #2] needs to have her hair done again so [okaasan] chides her and sends her off to the hairdresser before classes. Maybe that makes her late for class and she gets in trouble with the teacher!
This can also go along with expressions on your character's face. Maybe Maiko #1 grimaces at hearing she is no longer the 5th ranking maiko but the 6th or 7th. Maybe she walks around the rest of that day with a pout on her face and narrowed eyes, daring anyone to say a word. Or maybe a customer shows up to a zashiki in a yukata (an informal cotton kimono--this is a no-no in karyukai etiquette!).
Also, feel free to describe what your maiko is doing in her dance or what your customer is doing while watching the dance. Maybe he grows bored of it and decides to talk to the man next to him, or maybe he's so intrigued he drops beer in his lap.
 
Taking Initiative

Posting a New Thread:
Be aware that you can take initiative to post a new thread if you come up with something you want to RP. Invite others to take part. Maybe Maiko #1 wants to visit the temple to pray. Maiko #2 can run into her and they can go together!
Planned RPs are also good for new threads. For example we know rivalries go on in hanamachi. Maybe you can post a thread with an event happening that causes Maiko #2 to hate Maiko #3, and a whole bunch of nasty things can happen. Maybe Maiko #1 becomes close to Maiko #2 and they become good friends. Also, maiko and geisha don't only attend ozashiki. Perhaps they are invited to attend a big event in Tokyo! Feel free to have your character go on a trip and either be stuck with a rivaling maiko or hanging out with a best friend.  What happens while they are in Tokyo? Do they go shopping? What areas do they venture to?

Another thing is timeline. Although we do keep note what month it is, there's no reason that if a nighttime ozashiki is happening in one thread, you can't post in the next morning with another character. There's no harm if posts overlap, after all, we're not writing a book with stuff in strict order! Or maybe you're writing as Maiko #1 at a zashiki but see a thread you want to hop in on that takes place two days later. By all means go ahead! There should be no reason to wrap up a thread suddenly because of time change.

Replying to a Post:
Let's say Maiko #1 receives news she has to go somewhere. Instead of just posting Maiko #1 walking off to her new destination, feel free to post what happens after she gets there! Maybe she receives some good news and decides to relay it the the okaasan of Teahouse #3 or even veers home to tell her own okaasan before she gets there. For other "replying to a post" advice read above :)

Characters and NPCs:
Just because you have one set character doesn't mean you can't post as others. For example if you play Maiko #1 why not also post as Customer #4 for Maiko #2 in another or the same thread? This way it's more fun, and you don't have to NPC your own customer. This also gets things going!


Avoiding God-moding

God-moding comes up in RP sites often and should be mentioned. God-moding is when you RP your character knowing exactly what everyone is thinking, being the best dancer, the best singer, the best shamisen player, the best with the customers, or simply having no weaknesses.  It's more realistic to have faults--new maiko may take a while getting used to the special pillow they have to use, or they might trip in their okobo. Maybe Maiko #2 accidentally splashes a bit of sake on her customer's wrist while laughing at a joke.  Or maybe Maiko #3 skips turning in a dance and decides to improvise a move, and Maiko #1 isn't as graceful as she wishes and needs to practice dance more. It's nice to know no one is perfect, after all, for only a 40-year-old geisha could probably come close to the "perfect geisha" and do little wrong.

However, this also means that you cannot read one character's thoughts and have your character react to them. Maiko #1 could be growing bored and wishing she were curled up with a good book in her hand instead of chatting with some customer who's so drunk he can't finish a sentence. But maybe because of her tactful smiling and joking with him Maiko #2 doesn't pick up on her other body language hints.

***

Just remember if someone works hard on a long post its disappointing if someone else replies with a one or two line post--it also gives them little to reply to. How can they reply if they are not sure what to type? Information can be given through much more than dialog or actions alone. As well, posting long descriptive posts encourages others to do so too, and makes RPing with them much more fun.

Another thing I wish to point out, which is very important, and that is controlling another character's actions. Some things are a given, like all the geiko will get into the same car if going somewhere together, or will be walking to the same place. However, in general, please do not post another PC's (Player Character's) actions. You can control NPCs in this fashion but not another person's character. You do not know how their character will react to a certain situation or particular comment and do not fully know that character's experience or history, so please avoid doing this. It could give off a wrong impression of another's character and is impolite at best.

I hope I helped! Ganbatte!

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