Okiya

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An Okiya (置屋, Okiya^?) is the lodging house a maiko or geisha lives in during the length of her nenki, or contract. The okiya normally pays all expenses, including kimono and training. There may be more than one geisha or maiko living in an okiya at any given point in time. Generally, a geisha who has fulfilled her financial obligations to the house will live independently, but remain offiliated with the okiya for the remainder of her career. The "Okaa-san (mother)" of the okiya may adopt one of the geisha as her daughter (musume), to be her heir (atotori), therefore the girl lives in the okiya and all of the money she earns goes to the okiya. In such a way, the geisha is able to pay the okiya back for the expenses incurred by her training.