Our Findings

One of the aspects we really studied was dance. So we were supposed to find out how to do it, how many people usually take part, how praise or blame is given for doing well or doing not so well, and more.

The dance showed that teamwork was very important. The dancers counted in sync with each other for their avatars to dance in sync. This could only be accomplished as a team.

Chores were another aspect we chose to look at. Mostly, chores were done individually, but we found that since instituting the chores in March 2009, the ladies of the okiya seemed to have tighter knit relationships.

Chores included doing things like scrubbing floors, sewing dresses, and preparing dinner.

The final aspect we looked at was ozashiki, which were relaxing gatherings at a teahouse where minarai told stories.

Shikomi would serve as something like hostesses, seating guests to their seats before the event started, and showing them the way out after it was over. Minarai ranks or higher would tell the stories and serve refreshments, providing the main entertainment for the night.