In an economic environment where jobs are hard to find, Chinese national, Rinka, is a geisha in training.

Two hours applying makeup and getting dressed for formal occasions have become routine for this twenty nine year old.

Born in Shenyang, China, Rinka moved to Japan with her family at 14. They lived next door to a geisha and that's when Rinka was drawn to this centuries-old profession of female entertainers, celebrated for their beauty, artistic performance and witty conversation.

[Rinka, Trainee Geisha]:
"When I first came to Japan I had a neighbor who was a geisha. She played the shamisen daily and wore traditional Japanese kimono and it was really pretty so I too, wanted to wear a kimono."

In the port town of Shimoda, one hundred and twenty miles southwest of Tokyo, Rinka's is an apprentice at the Kanoya kenban company. The training is hard and relentless, and even though Rinka has to live off government subsidies, she's not fazed.

[Rinka, Trainee Geisha]:
"I want to try out things that I have never attempted before; I'm young enough for that."

Seventy two year old Kanoya, the matriarch of the geisha company, says she is impressed by Rinka's drive, and sees her as a possible heir.

[Kanoya, Geisha Matron]:
"Though our nationalities are different, I wish Rinka could be the one to inherit my legacy in the future as a successor who can dance, sing and play strings very well while getting along with her colleagues."

Rinka still has years of training in front of her, but she hopes to bring her new skills back to China.

[Rinka, Trainee Geisha]:
"Now, I have to practice hard everyday so that in the future I can realize my dream of opening a fine Japanese style inn in China, which can help Chinese people better understand the Japanese tradition."

Geisha numbers in Japan peaked at 80,000 in 1928, but now only 1,000 are left.

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