Feb 01 (NHK) - A group of geisha and their apprentices in Japan's ancient city of Kyoto have copied Buddhist scriptures to learn more about traditional culture.
The annual training session was held in the temple Daikakuji on Wednesday. A foundation aimed at preserving traditional local culture sponsored the event.
More than 90 geisha known as geiko, apprentices known as maiko, and junior apprentices gathered from the city's 5 districts where the female entertainers live.
Using calligraphy pens, they carefully copied each word in popular Buddhist scriptures of "The Heart Sutra."
The foundation says the event was aimed at deepening the geisha's knowledge of local tradition and culture. In recent years, more and more people from around Japan have gone to Kyoto to become geiko, and are usually occupied with dance, other training, and entertaining customers.
Source: Kyodo
