Yoshiwara's last geisha dies at 90
Minako, renowned as the last geisha of the Yoshiwara district of Tokyo, died Monday of cancer. She was 90 years old.
A Hokkaido native whose real name was Mitsu Nagao, Minako started to work as an apprentice at a geisha dwelling in Yoshiwara at the age of 11. After Yoshiwara went defunct as a red-light district following the enforcement of the Anti-Prostitution Act in 1958, Minako continued to entertain customers mainly at teahouses in Asakusa as the last Yoshiwara geisha, playing traditional games with them, playing the samisen instrument, and dancing and singing.
Minako also lived a life dedicated to handing down the traditional Yoshiwara art of entertainment, focusing on teaching younger geishas and filming performances in her later years. Last year she published her autobiography "Hana yori Hana."
Minako's funeral will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday at Chokoku-ji Temple in Tokyo's Taito Ward.
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