Mao Inoue stars as geisha in drama special

Actress Mao Inoue will star in a Fuji TV drama special titled “Hanaikusa,” taking on the role of a geisha for the first time.

Inoue plays the role of Mineko, a young maiko (apprentice geisha) in the Gion district of Kyoto. The story is loosely based on the autobiography of the famous retired geisha Mineko Iwasaki (who was one of the sources for Arthur Golden’s “Memoirs of a Geisha”). Iwasaki is also involved in the drama by personally coaching Inoue in the ways of the geisha, and training the cast to speak the unique Gion dialect.

Other cast members include Toru Nakamura, Riona Hazuki, Naho Toda, and Yuko Natori. Filming has already completed. The drama is scheduled to air this fall.

Source:
Sankei Sports