JAPANESE GEISHA'S

JAPANESE GEISHA'S

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Geishas are one of Japan's oldest cultures, and traditional practices.

Although it is one of the most misunderstood practices in Japanese culture, it is slowly becoming more accepted by those in the West.

A Geisha represents what Japanese culture deems to be perfect. Geishas are seen as doll-like creatures, that are there to be admired by those lucky enough to be entertained by them.

They are there to look at but not to touch.

The Geisha practice, is one that dates back to the 1700's

During the peak of the Geisha tradition, there were about 80,000 practicing Geishas and Maikos, in Japan.

That is a lot of women making money off of wealthy and powerful men.

Today, there are as few as 1000 practicing Geishas and Maikos, in the country.

The meaning of the word Geisha, is simple, “gei” means entertainment, the “sha” means person.

In years gone by, Geishas were born into the industry, either because their mothers used to be Geishas, or their family was poor and needed financial support.

This meant that children were effectively forced into labor, at the tender age of three.

The Japanese government had to work hard to eradicate this form of child labor, so they implemented laws that meant it was much harder, to force someone into the industry.

Girls now have to be educated at a school, until they are at least 15 years old, before they can start studying to become a Geisha, at which point it is their choice, and they join of their own free will.

In Japanese culture, women are often seen as inferior to males, especially in years gone by.

Women were not allowed to talk to their husbands as equals.

But that isn’t the case with Geishas at all.

They are certainly seen as superior to other women, and are seen as equal to males.

Geisha's need to keep up to date with current events, so they can hold interesting conversations with the males they entertain. They are not looked down on the way that many other women are in the Japanese culture.

This would have been something that drew women toward this career choice in the past.

Not just anyone can become a Geisha though, it takes a lot of hard work, and dedication.

In order to become a Geisha, you need to reach a certain level of education.

You then need to study further in Geisha practices, before you can become a full-time practicing Geisha entertainer.

To become a Geisha, first you must become a Maiko.

A Maiko is a Geisha that hasn’t yet completed their training, but they’re still expected to work, and entertain guests.

When girls turn 16 years old, they can become a Maiko.

This is when they learn to dance, sing, and entertain in the traditional Japanese way.

They also need to learn to play an instrument, learn flower arranging, take part in tea ceremonies, and learn how to wear a kimono correctly.

A Maiko usually only graduates as a Geisha, when they reach the age of 21, if they have put in enough work.

The serving of green tea at ceremonies, has to be done while wearing traditional Japanese kimonos, in order to be done correctly.

Serving the tea, is not the job of a Geisha.

Instead, it is done by the Maikos, to further their training.

When Maikos are studying to become Geishas, they are not permitted to use cellphones, or even access the internet.

They are also only allowed to watch TV every so often.

They live a very restrictive lifestyle, until they are done studying. This ensures that they focus on their studies, and are truly knowledgeable about their craft by the time they graduate.

Geishas often have white faces, and there is a reason for this. They cake their faces and necks in a white powder called Oshiroi, which reflects the light beautifully, especially in candleight, making their skin seem luminous, and etheral.

This substance is now safe, although it never used to be. It was once made from a lead-based substance, which can be incredibly dangerous, especially when worn for long periods of time.

Oshiroi, the white, powdery substance, is not the only form of makeup that the Geishas wear.

They also wear black eyeliner, red eye shadow, and red lipstick for a dramatic yet effective look.

This is done until Geishas age, in their older years they no longer wear the dramatic makeup, worn in their youth.

While Geishas also used to blacken their teeth all the time, they now only do it on special occasions.

It’s often used when a Maiko graduates to become a Sakkou.

The blackened teeth then act as an initiation, into full-time Geisha practices.

There is also a difference between the way Maikos and Geishas wear their hair.

Maikos use their natural hair, although sometimes they add extensions.

They also wear elaborate hair decorations.

They use something called a takamakura to keep their hairstyle in place during their sleep.

They sometimes keep the same hairstyle for so long, that they get bald spots, but this is a source of pride for a Maiko.

Once a Maiko graduates, they become a Geisha and begin wearing wigs.

They also wear more subtle hair ornaments, than they did when they were Maikos.

Having a wig means they no longer need to sleep with their hair in a takamakura, which means they can sleep a lot more comfortably.

The takamakura is just another right of passage, that makes young Maikos look forward to the day they graduate, and become fully qualified Geishas.

Kimonos are the traditional dress of all Geishas.

While each Geisha has more than one Kimono, they each have one 'formal' kimono.

This kimono takes an incredible three years to be manufactured, because of the intricate detail contained within the fabric.

It is made entirely out of silk and is a Geisha's pride and joy.

It is also their biggest expense and most treasured possession. While Geishas have other kimonos, their formal kimono will always be their favorite and most prized possession.

To complete the kimono’s look, Geishas tie a 4-meter long piece of silken cloth, called an Obi, around their waists.

It is tied in a big bow behind their backs and is usually elaborately decorated.

Being a Geisha is a unique career choice, and just like every other career, there are special tools required to get the job done. Geishas wear special shoes called ‘geta’, which look like wooden platform sandals.

These look incredibly difficult to walk in, but they serve an important purpose.....to keep the bottom of their kimono from hanging on the ground.

While you’d think there might be a more practical way to do this, being a Geisha is all about making things look easy.

So they choose to suffer through the pain, in order to look more beautiful in Japanese culture.

If you would like a Geisha to perform at a banquet hall or for your guests, you will need to call a Ryotei.

They will then organize Geishas, that come and perform for you, and your guests.

But as you can imagine, there are strict rules about how you should call a Geisha to perform for you - with the utmost respect. Remember, the Geisha is always the one in control.

A Geisha is only available to you, if you have a very high status within your community, you are exceptionally wealthy, or have a high standing reputation.

Sometimes Geisha’s have their own personal clients.

These are referred to as Dannas.

If someone has their own Geisha, it is known in Japan that the person is powerful, and has plenty of money as they financially take care of their Geisha in every way possible.....especially if the Geisha performs solely for them.

Being someone’s personal Geisha, is a lifelong duty and gives a man a great deal of social status.

The relationship between a Geisha and their Danna, is not always sexual, but it can be.

This all depends on what the Geisha is willing to do for their Danna. Often it will start off innocent, and become sexual over time, as the two get to know each other, and where their boundaries lie.

Many people, especially Westerners, confuse Geisha's with sEx workers.

But prOstitutes are known as 'Oiran' in Japanese culture.

Geishas generally only work as entertainers, and 'usually' retire to their own beds, for the night.

There are times in which Geishas engage in sexual activity, with their clients to earn extra cash, but this is not the norm.

If this is done, the Geisha is still a performer first, and a prOstitute second.

Most Geishas, however, would be offended if you asked them to engage in sExual activity for money, so it’s not something that is often done.

Geishas do not live among society, instead, they live in little communities which are called Hanamachi.

This translates to “flower town”.

Nowadays, most of the Hanamachis are located in either Toyko or Kyoto, and these attract thousands of visitors every single year.

Within the Hanamachi, Geishas live in houses called Okiya.

These are houses, that are built in the traditional Japanese style.

Geishas cannot get married, while they are working as a Geisha, however, they are allowed to marry after they have retired.

So if a Geisha falls in love, and wishes to marry, she is more than welcome to do so, but she will have to give up her Geisha practices.

There are not many industries that are entirely dominated by women, but being a Geisha is one of them.

Geisha houses are run by women.

Once a Geisha has paid their debt to the house mother, they are free to keep most of their tips once their sponsorships have been paid.

This allows women to be independent, an opportunity that was historically, not possible in Japan.

The government created a registration office for Geisha's, called the Kemban.

This is where the performers can register in their profession, and it helps to distinguish between Geisha's and courtesans. or prOstitutes, who are not registered.

As time moves on, the use of Geisha's for entertainment is becoming a less common practice.

It could be that it is old-fashioned, after all, the practice has been around for hundreds of years.

Could it be the cost?

Hiring a Geisha for an evening is enormously expensive, even in the 21st century.

You can expect to pay around 80,000 Yen, or $750 USD, for an evening with a Geisha.

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