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A maiko is an apprentice and is therefore bonded under a contract to her okiya. The okiya will usually supply her with food, board,
kimono, obi, and other tools of her trade, but a maiko may decide to fund everything herself from the beginning with either a loan or
the help of an outside guarantor.[9] A maiko's training is very expensive, and debts must be repaid over time with her earnings to
either the okiya or her guarantor. This repayment may continue after graduation to geishahood, and only when her debts are settled
can a geisha claim her entire wages and work independently (if loaning from the okiya). After this point she may choose to stay on
living at her okiya, must still be affiliated to one to work, and even living away from the okiya, will usually commute there to begin her
working evening.[9][15]


Sony DSC-RX100M5A
64mm
Iso6400
F2.8
1/30