With paper-white skin, demur red-painted lips, glorious silk kimonos and elaborate jet-black hair, Japan's geisha are one of the most iconic images associated with the "Land of the Rising Sun." As a source of companionship and entertainment as early as 600, these geisha were trained in many arts, including poetry and performance.
However, it wasn't until 1750 thatimages of the modern geishafirst appeared in historical documents, but from then, the geisha have epitomized the essence of beautyin Japanese artisan culture, passing down their traditions to this day.
Now, modern geisha share the traditions of their short-lived heyday with artists, tourists and businesspeople alike, perpetuating the best parts of their brief prominence in Japanese mainstream culture.
Saburuko: The First Geisha
The first geisha-like performers in recorded Japanese history were the saburuko— or "those who serve" — who waited tables, made conversation and sometimes sold sexual favors sometime during the 600s. The higher-class saburuko danced and entertained at elite social events while ordinary saburuko were mostly the daughters of families left destitute in the social and political upheavals of the seventh century, the period of the Taika Reform.
In 794, the Emperor Kammu moved his capital from Nara to Heian — near present-day Kyoto. Yamato Japanese culture flourished during the Heian period, which witnessed the establishment of a particular standard of beauty, as well as the origins of the samurai warrior class.
Shirabyoshi dancers and other talented female artists were in high demand throughout the Heian era, which lasted until 1185, and although they faded from mainstream appeal over the next 400 years, these dancers continued to pass their traditions on through the ages.
Medieval Precursors to the Geisha
By the 16th century— following the end of the Sengoku period of chaos — major Japanese cities developed walled "pleasure quarters" where courtesans called yujo lived and worked as licensed prostitutes. The Tokugawa government classified them according to their beauty and accomplishments with the oiran —who were early kabuki theater actresses as well as sex-trade workers — atop the yujo hierarchy.
Samurai warriors were not permitted to partake in kabuki theater performances or the services of yujo by law; it was a violation of the class structure for members of the highest class (warriors) to mix with social outcasts such as actors and prostitutes. However, the idle samurai of unremittingly peaceful Tokugawa Japan found ways around these restrictions and became some of the best customers in the pleasure quarters.
With a higher class of customers, a higher style of female entertainer also developed in the pleasure quarters. Highly skilled in dancing, singing and playing musical instruments such as the flute and shamisen, thegeisha that began performing did not rely on selling sexual favors for their income but were trained in the art of conversation and flirting. Among the most prized were geisha with a talent forcalligraphy or those who could improvise beautiful poetry with hidden layers of meaning.
Birth of the Geisha Artisan
History records that the first self-styled geisha was Kikuya, a talented shamisen player and prostitute who lived in f*ckagawa around 1750. Throughout the late 18th and early 19th centuries, a number of other pleasure quarter residents began to make a name for themselves as talented musicians, dancers or poets, rather than simply as sex workers.
The first official geisha were licensed in Kyoto in 1813, just fifty-five years before the Meiji Restoration, which ended the Tokugawa Shogunate and signaled the rapid modernization of Japan. Geisha did not disappear when the shogunate fell, despite the dissolution of the samurai class. It was World War II that really dealt a blow to the profession; almost all young women were expected to work in factories to support the war effort, and there were far fewer men left in Japan to patronize teahouses and bars.
Historical Impact on Modern Culture
Although the heyday of the geisha was short, the occupation still lives on in modern Japanese culture — however, some of the traditions have changed to adapt to the modern lifestyle of the people of Japan.
Such is the case with the age young women begin geisha training. Traditionally, apprentice geisha called maiko began training at about age 6, but today all Japanese students must stay in school through age 15 thus girls in Kyoto can begin their training at 16, while those in Tokyo usually wait until they are 18.
Popular with tourists and businesspeople alike, modern-day geisha support an entire industry within the eco-tourism industries of Japanese cities. They provide work for artists in all of the traditional skills of music, dance, calligraphy, who train the geisha in theircrafts. Geisha also buy top-of-the-line traditional products such as kimono, umbrellas, fans, shoes, and the sort, keeping craftsmen in work and preserving their knowledge and history for years to come.
FAQs
A geisha or geiko, when translated in Kyoto dialect, means “Person of Art” or “Artist.” A geisha is mostly known as a highly trained woman who entertains exclusive clientele in districts where she works.
What exactly does a geisha do? ›
The Japanese word geisha literally means “art person,” and singing, dancing, and playing the samisen (a lutelike instrument) are indispensable talents for a geisha, along with the ability to make conversation. Many geisha are also adept at flower arranging, performing the tea ceremony, or calligraphy.
Are there still real geishas in Japan? ›
Nowadays, there are just 1,000 geisha left in Japan, most of whom live and work predominantly in Tokyo and Kyoto. These modern geisha tend to remain within their district, where they're treated with the utmost respect by Japanese locals, and not approached for photos or conversation.
Why were geishas white? ›
In the past, there was no electricity in Japan, so artists entertained by dim candlelight. Eventually, they started painting the faces white to look more beautiful in such conditions.
Are geishas unmarried? ›
Why are Geishas not allowed to marry? - Quora. Actually, modern geishas sometimes do marry. But their private lives are private. They are professional entertainers — not sex workers — whose work was not compatible with Japanese notions of how married women should live.
Why do geishas have black teeth? ›
It was considered a status symbol to have blackened teeth. The traditional method used involved soaking iron fillings in tea or sake. The liquid would turn black when the iron oxidated. Practitioners would then add spices like cinnamon, cloves, and anise to reduce the harsh taste of the dye.
Can geisha have boyfriends? ›
' As such, geisha are prohibited from getting married and would have to quit the profession if they want to marry. They're also not allowed to have boyfriends, which can make the job less desirable for many women. That said, many patrons will develop an affection for a particular geisha.
What happens when geishas get old? ›
For the rest who chose to be a geisha it is a lifetime profession though so many geisha eventually quit in their thirties and forties and become housewives. If they don't quit, most geisha become an okiya owner or inherit the okiya they are affiliated and run a geisha house.
Do geisha get paid? ›
Jimae Geiko get all of the money they earn, but also have to pay rent for an appartment in their hanamachi or close to it (which are expensive), bills, lessons (at least 2,500 USD a month), makeup, the hairdresser (mainly during odori-season), have to pay an okiya or ochaya for scheduling their appointments and are ...
Are geishas mistresses? ›
The geisha is not hired to have sex with a client; she is hired to entertain, with music, dance, conversation, and pleasant company more generally. We should see geisha as refined professionals, the gei (芸) in geisha meaning “the arts”, as distinctly contrasted against the prostitutes, or yûjo (遊女, lit.
At the core of their traditional Japanese performance art, geishas apply distinctive white makeup, known as oshiroi, to achieve an otherworldly and ethereal appearance. This makeup symbolizes the ideal beauty and grace associated with a geisha. The stark white geisha makeup made natural teeth look yellow by contrast.
Are geishas celibate? ›
Some geisha would sleep with their customers, whereas others would not, leading to distinctions such as kuruwa geisha – a geisha who slept with customers as well as entertaining them through performing arts – yujō ("prostitute") and jorō ("whor*") geisha, whose only entertainment for male customers was sex, and machi ...
What is the controversy with the geisha? ›
What was the controversy of Memoirs of a Geisha? The author of the novel was sued for defamation by Mineko Iwasaki, a Japanese geisha he interviewed for the book. The geisha claimed the author manipulated the truth and used many events from her life and added the prostitution narrative.
How did geishas prevent pregnancy? ›
Barrier methods were always very popular. A halved, emptied lemon skin placed over the cervix worked well, for example, as did sponges soaked in natural spermicides such as vinegar.
Is a geisha a concubine? ›
Geisha were entertainers who were indentured to geisha houses through a contract system, whereas concubines had a 'stable, ongoing sexual relationship' with a man of the household but occupied a position below the wife. In Japan, concubines were registered as part of the household until 1882.
How do geishas sleep? ›
It is therefore in everyone's interest to keep the hair in immaculate condition. For this reason, a Geisha sleeps with her neck on a small wooden support or takamakura. This can cause crippling pain and sleep deprivation, and keeping the head balanced on the stand is a difficult skill to master.
What do modern day geishas do? ›
Many experienced geisha are successful enough to choose to live independently, though living independently is more common in some geisha districts – such as those in Tokyo – than others. Geisha are often hired to attend parties and gatherings, traditionally at tea houses or traditional Japanese restaurants (ryōtei).
Do geisha girls get paid? ›
Maiko get some small stipend each month, so they can go shopping during their days off. Geiko (geisha) receive a full compensation for their job engagements, however, the monthly income depends on the amount of hours they work.
What is the geisha secret about? ›
The Geisha Secret will show you how to become attractive to men by transforming you into the ideal female companion. You will learn The Rituals, ancient practices of the geisha applied to the modern world, which will change how men perceive you.
What is the daily life of a geisha? ›
A typical day for Nanoha starts at 9am. There is a group dance practice at 10am, then a group lunch, followed by a short nap. By 4pm, she starts getting ready, has a light meal and heads off to her engagements by 6pm. Her night usually ends by 1am and she returns to the okiya (maiko house).
