Is the term 舞妓 used in all of Japan, or only in certain dialects? The English language article on geisha says > Apprentice geisha are called maiko ( or ), literally "dance child") or hangyoku (), "half-jewel" (meaning that they are paid half of the wage of a full geisha), or by the more generic term o-shaku (), literally "one who pours (alcohol)". and later on says > The only modern maiko that can apprentice before the age of eighteen are in Kyoto. So on average, Tokyo hangyoku (who typically begin at 18) are slightly older than their Kyoto counterparts (who usually start at 15). Is used in all of Japan, or does the term for apprentice geisha vary from dialect to dialect, just like the word for geisha can be or depending on dialect? Alternatively, are and now considered distinct terms describing different concepts?

I don't think I'd call it an issue of dialect, since is understood and used throughout Japan, but refers specifically to the type of "geisha in training" in Kyoto.