Friday Art & History Feature - Geisha

I've always been interested in Japanese culture. Much of the interest comes from my practice of karate. Many Japanese cultural aspects seems very foreign and mysterious to the westerners. Japanese history is truly spectacular in many ways. Over the course of this blog, I will write a number of articles about various aspects of Japanese culture and history, including the samurai, ikebana, tea ceremony and much, much more.
Today, we'll take a look at another aspect steeped in mystery - geishas.

Geishas playing Shamisen (traditional Japanese instrument) today

Many have seen or read "Memoirs of a Geisha" and know of certain aspects of this profession.  Many recognize the white makeup a geisha wears.

Geisha playing Shamisen

There's many misconceptions and misunderstandings about what and who a geisha is. By definition, a geisha is an entertainer. Geishas are skilled in dance, playing traditional musical instruments, tea ceremony and the art of conversation. The word "geisha" comes from two kanji characters - 芸 (gei), which means "art" and 者 (sha), which means "person". Women have a choice of becoming a 'maiko" or apprentice geisha first or training for a year and becoming a full geisha right away. This was not the case in the past, when most girls who were to become geishas started their training very early and were apprenticed for years of training before becoming full fledged geisha.

Maiko (apprentices)

 There are different theories on the emergence of geisha culture in Japan historically. Some say that it came out of a practice by some young girls, whose families were misplaced. They would be entertainers, and many also sold their sexual services. The more traditional form of geisha entertainment began to emerge when the imperial court was moved to Kyoto in 794. However, these were still not the geisha culture we know of today. That is emerged much later on, during the 18th century. It's interesting to note that the first "geisha" were men who entertained wealthy customers while they waited for their courtesans and other forms of entertainment. One of the first famous known female geishas was actually a prostitute who also possessed many other skills, including dance and playing music. She became very popular and young girls followed in her footsteps. Soon, most of them were only doing performance art entertaining without the selling sex part. The line between courtesans and geishas was drawn, and a geisha was more valued for skills other than sex.

Geishas dancing

 Prior to WWII, it was commonplace for a maiko's virginity to be sold to the highest bidder, a process known as "mizuage". While outlawed after the war, the practice still has been known to exist well into our times. While a geisha is a single woman, she can chose to have a wealthy patron, whose courtesan she may become. This, however, is not a rule. Often, geishas have boyfriends, but once they marry, they have to leave the profession.

Maiko in Kyoto

 Kyoto still remains the most popular place to see where geishas live and to enjoy their performances.

Geisha entertaining today

Geishas entertaining in the 1950s

Geishas are a true art form. They are highly educated women who have achieved top skills in performance arts and the art of conversation. They study hard and long to become the best in their profession. That is their appeal, and their mystery.