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((OOC: I couldn't find some answers, and others I answered to the best of my abilities. I hope this is helpful. If I missed your question, please repost it. ^^))

'How interesting!' Yokome said, 'Turning a a useless piece of land into something so lavish. Oh, and all those different classes, that is most interesting. How many different "levels" would you say still exisit today?'

"Though this is an interesting question, I believe you will find your answer at the end of my lecture," Sayuri assured the young maiko.

((??? I can't find the answer to this question...but I will keep searching to give you an answer if I find one...))


Iyasu thought to herself that perhaps it would be best to ask her question now, so that way Sayuri could continue on with the lesson.
"Sensei, is it because of these classes that the ranking of junior maiko, maiko, geisha and senior geisha came from?"

Sayuri pondered the question for a moment before she came to a conclusion. "That could be one of the reasons, but I believe it is moreso because there are so many learning stages of geisha that the rankings from junior maiko to senior geisha appeared. You see, a junior maiko has no skill at all, but she learns and then is able to become a true maiko. This process goes on until one of our profession is so skilled that she is allowed the title of senior geisha,"


Momoko raised her hand slightly. "Summimasen sensei, is it ever said why the changed the kanji in yoshiwara? I'm sorry if it's a stupid question, I am just curious as to why they would change the meaning of the name."

"I dont' believe so, Momoko-chan. Of course, I am sure it has to do with the change of language in any culture, though. In our culture, new words are added everyday and the meanings of old words are changing. For instance, the incorporation of all these words that we loan from the english language are constant and vast. They shape the way we talk. Instead of using the original Japanese word for something, we incorporate the English word. Most of the time, the Japanese word is shorter and means the exact same thing. We change the meaning to help the words sound cooler and exotic. I believe that is why the kanji changed," Sayuri explained with assurance.

'Thank you, sensei.' Yokome said while bowing her head. She was excited for the next lesson. She got out her notebook and was ready to write.

"Arigatou sensei," she said softly. "You mentioned the Tale of Genji. Will we be reading it to get a better understanding of the pleasure quarters?"

She smiled and nodded. "Alright, sensei." Momoko made a mental note to herself to check out a copy of the book on her way home.

As she entered the classroom, Miharu removed her shoes.
She then bowed low to the sensei and said,

"My name is Miharu Arisa, of the Hinohasu Okiyaa, and I would be honored to attend this class as part of my training. Please accept me as a student."

Sayuri nodded towards the two new students, waving her hand to show that they be seated.

"You are just in time to hear about the third part of my lecture today," Sayuri explained.

((OOC: Gosh...I still have to revise it. I have no time, lately. I'll revise it sometime this week. Sorry for the inconvenience, everyone.))

Miharu bowed and sat down next to Makoto,
taking out a heavily doodled on notebook.

Mitsuka entered the classroom.

"My name is Mitsuka, I'm from the Hinohasu Okiya. I would be honored if I could join this class"