History of the Geisha
Geishas have been an Asian tradition practiced in many parts of Japan. Literally meaning person of arts, the earliest recorded Geisha-like performers were the Saburuko, who would dance, entertain and even could exchange sexual favors at elite social events (Downer). These Saburuko were mostly men during that time, but during the Heian period in 794 CE, a standard of beauty was established and female artists were in high demand until 1185. As centuries passed, the female entertainers brought many high class customers, creating a higher style of an entertainer in cities such as Kyoto. They crafted the arts of singing, dancing, calligraphy (poetry), conversation and playing tradition Japanese instruments. Although early Geisha-like workers were considered prostitutes and worked in Pleasure Quarters up until the 1800, many were gaining respect and branching away from associating with prostitution and sticking to the arts instead of finding income through selling sexual favors( Szczepanski). In 1813, the first official licensed Geisha created an official geisha registration office that was subject to strict regulations to separate the geishas from courtesans (prostitutes). It is said by Kallie “Despite the rapid modernization in Japan and the fall of shogunate (also many other Japanese cultural knows such as samurai class)” (Szczepanski), Geishas lived on and continued the practice to many young girls around the age of 13 to 15.
The Geisha lifestyle is known for keeping Japanese traditions going throughout centuries. Whether it’s the way they dress or the art and entertainment they provide, there is a part of culture behind it all. They can be seen wearing traditional kimonos and traditional hairstyles dating back to the Edo period (“Geisha”). The culture has been practiced for many, many centuries and are considered a precious, international cultural reference of Japan. The arts that geishas learn are classified as traditional dances performed at private parties or city festivals, classical songs and musical instruments such as the tsuzumi, taiko and shamisen. A main tradition the geisha culture is known for are tea ceremonies or Sado, in their established tea houses around the cities or districts. The Sado is not just a general tea party, but focusses on learning to arrange each element of the tea house in a way that respects the aesthete, such as artwork, flower arranging, interior decorating and more are considered proper preparation of the tea house prior to the ceremony. Guests are invited to the house with calligraphy and paper (traditional style). Each element is meant to bring peace and reflect the mindfulness of the preparer to the guest. It is explained “Tea ceremonies are a descent of the 16th century Rikyu, who is a known tea master” (Barua, Pickney). This shows great passion to their culture and history.
Geishas are limited to free time with the training and duties. They are completely devoted to the art and presentation of the Geisha lifestyle and mostly keep up their appearance when outside of their Oikya (Geisha house). A geisha is generally a women who is employed by a specific house, but they are mostly volunteers who train young and go into the professional side later on. Their mornings usually consists of hours of preparations to getting ready with the complex hairstyles and make-up they put on everyday. The younger trainees do not wear wigs and therefore have to do their real hair in a manner that is acceptable for outside. For younger apprentices, their day is mostly consisting of practicing a specific art or dance routine and studying on traditions (tea ceremonies, etc.). For professionals, their day is filled with meeting businessmen for social reasons, shopping at local stores, or attending a basic job duty relating to their entertainment business. No matter where they go, they are always met with a sea of photographers and tourists for pictures. In some cases, women end up marrying a Danna, or patron, who is an affluent man the geisha is bound to. Traditionally, a Danna was someone who took care of the expenses of the geisha, but now they perform the San san Kudo when they drink three sips from three cups of sake that is shared with their canna and is considered a marriage ceremony (“Women of Art and Tradition”). These basic tasks for everyday is a geishas lifestyle are very complex and vigorous compared to the normal person.
Geishas are generally considered celebrities in Japan. In the main Geisha district of Kyoto, visitors can spot many Geishas around the town, but more often being photographed. Many places in Japan offer “tourists a transformation to look like a Geisha with make-up and hair, this can take up to an hour to complete and costs about 50,000 yen” (Spacey). You may consider a Geisha to be almost like Emma Watson, or Taylor Swift. Basically, a young person that is know for her beauty, social status and talents. Just like any other celebrity around the world, it takes time, energy and a lot of work to become high in society and known around the world. Geishas are also very famous for their social games in benefit to themselves. Meaning, they are very good with making connections to the right people in order to get ahead of their career, just like how people in Hollywood get a name for themselves. It is all about connections.
The women of the Geisha lifestyle have an amazing dedication to their work life; practically their entire life is evolved around work. Geishas are known to have good relationships with important business men, politicians and honorable people. This is mainly due to their very good social skills and a “way to keep business coming in despite high prices”(Spacey) at the tea houses. Prices can be very expensive for just general things, such as a dinner, entertainment for a house party or event, almost like paying to have a friend for an hour. Their time training can be seen paying off “They charge men as much as one thousand dollars an hour for their company. Geisha are not prostitutes, as many westerners believe, but classical artists whose art involves entertaining men,” (“Geisha”). Since a young age, Geishas have worked hard to build up their rank and talents to achieve the most in the tradition. A lot of the time, they continue their work life for almost the rest of their life. The rare occasion of getting married or having kids usually means for a retired geisha to become a “mother” to the household, meaning they continue their traditions, arts and mentoring until an old age.
A Geisha, or Geiko, has numerous stages based on age, training and status. Due to girls having to attend school, training does not occur until the age of 15 where the girls start as a Shikomi in their Okiya, or geisha house (Ro) . They are now typically relatives or daughters of the Okiya household and are just maids of the household either running errands or cleaning to repay their debt of living there (“Women of Art and Traditin). The second stage is Minarai where the girls finally are allowed to practice the training by attending classes of her chosen arts, attend parties silently to observe other Geishas to learn their ways and actually can charge for their time because they are “now seen as a public member of the geisha community” (“Women of Art and Tradition). The third stage is the Maiko, or in some cases, the Mizuage. This is when the apprenticeship beginaand the Maiko is expected to pass a Mizuage a private matter when they turn eighteen and is a very secret act. This practice used to mean when the Maiko loses her virginity, but now changing the hairstyle is a way of showing her maturity. The Maiko has 5 different hairstyles depending on their stage of the apprenticeship (which can take several years to complete), they also start wearing distinct makeup and bright kimono dresses. Finally after years of training the Maiko is promoted to the Geiko, or Geisha during the Erikae ceremony. This stage means that the woman has completed her training and is able to charge full price for her time (Ro) and become a one-san “older sister” or mentor to the apprentices. You can tell the difference between the two by the collar of the dress is now white (Geiko) instead of red (Maiko), her hair is more “adult” by a less elaborate look and is expected to act more womanly than a girl. The final stage of the Geisha lifestyle is the Okami-san, if they choose to continue. The Okami-san is basically the mother of the house, this is common because a retired geisha rarely gets married, has children or finds it difficult to get a job middle-aged in Japan.
Works Cited
Barua, Zara, and Lauren Puckey. “The Japanese Geisha.” New Histories. Liam Geoghegan, 19 Jan. 2010. Web. 24 Apr. 2015.
Downer, L. Women of the pleasure quarters: the secret history of the geisha . New York : Crown publishing group (2002)
“Geisha.” Fashion, Costume, and Culture: Clothing, Headwear, Body Decorations, and Footwear through the Ages. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 24 Apr. 2015 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.
Presser, Brandon. “The Secret World of Male Geishas.” The Daily Beast. N.p., 02 Feb. 15. Web. 12 Apr. 15. http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/02/04/the-secret-world-of-male-geishas.html
Ro. “Geisha 101.” GEISHA 101 (n.d.): n. pag. mobot. Web. 12 Apr. 15. http://www.mobot.org/events/JapaneseFestival/Geisha%20fact%20sheet.pdf
Spacey, John. “Geisha: A Day in The Life.” Japan Talk. N.p., 09 Feb. 15. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. http://www.japan-talk.com/jt/new/geisha
Szczepanski, Kallie. “History of the Geisha in Japan.” About Education. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. http://asianhistory.about.com/od/japan/a/History-of-the-Geisha.htm
“Women of Art and Tradition.” Geisha of Japan. Amaya Booker, n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2015.http://geishaofjapan.com