Do you know what a geisha is? What is their history in Japan? Are they really prostitutes? In this article we made a complete guide to explain everything about geisha in a simple and practical way. Read below trivia, stories and many other information related to the geisha of Japan.
Geisha [芸者] are Japanese women who study the ancient tradition of art, dance, and singing. In Japan, being a geisha is a cultural, symbolic, and prestigious condition, full of delicacy and tradition.
The very name gueixa [芸者] can be literally translated as "art" (gei - 芸) and "person" or "practitioner" (sha - 者), meaning an artist. The gueixas can also be called Geiko (芸子, Geiko) or Gueigi (芸妓, Gueigi).
To facilitate navigation in this article, we have prepared a summary:
Table of Contents
What is a geisha? What they do?
They live in neighborhoods known as kimono, obis, and other tools and special treatments during their geisha contract called nenki.
They work in places called Ochaya, which are tea houses where they offer entertainment that consists of conversations, flirting, drinks, traditional games, musical performances, singing, and dancing. Geishas also often play the traditional instrument shamisen, and they also play other instruments such as flute, koto, ko-tsuzumi, and taiko.
In addition, they write poems, paint pictures, and compose music. They learn conversation techniques and also games to entertain the guests. They also need to learn 茶道 (sado) . It is not necessary to be beautiful to become a geisha, just to have these skills.
G geishas are also quite mysterious, they tried to be as anonymous as possible, using stage names that gave an air of mystery and fascinated the clients even more. Everything about geishas is very worked on and delicate, from their totally complex hairstyle, their kimono, and their white makeup.
It is believed that a geisha takes about 2 to 3 hours just to get ready. Currently, most of a geisha's clients are older or wealthy men who have great iration for Japanese culture. They convey the idea of a perfect woman, and make their clients feel valued and attractive.
Are geishas prostitutes?
Many Westerners believe that Geishas are prostitutes, a completely erroneous idea. On the contrary, Geishas were created for entertainment without sex, they were forbidden to sell sex. Geisha clients sometimes fall in love and are deceived, but they must come to with the reality that they will never have a geisha in their arms.
The geishas were forbidden to have relationships, because at the time the prostitutes in Japan were licensed and known as Oiran (花魁) courtesans. Thus, the routine of the Geishas was completely supervised, they did not have the freedom to do as they pleased, as prostituting could interfere with the Oiran's business.
Some arrive at this conclusion because in the early stages of Japan's history, there were artists called saburuko, many of whom were without families and ended up resorting to prostitution or making a living entertaining the high class at social gatherings.
Over time, a division arose between those who provided sexual favors and those who worked entertaining people with dance, arte, games, and music (geishas).
We do not blame Westerners for creating these confusions, both Geishas, Orians, Saburuko, and other classifications of girls who worked in the leisure districts used similar clothing and makeup. Another reason for this conclusion is that indeed, some women who became Geisha were formerly prostitutes.
To give you an idea, the first Geishas were actually men entertaining customers who were waiting for the courtesans, they were known as "Taikomochi" or "Houkan." Becoming a geisha was a way for girls to leave the world of prostitution and enter the world of entertainment.
Geishas can't have relationships
Geisha were also not allowed to engage in serious relationships. If they decided to marry, for example, the geisha was forced to retire permanently from the profession.
We can compare the gueixas with the current Japanese Idols, as any scandal of them going out or being in a relationship can ruin their careers and affect the fans who are in love with them. Similarly, the gueixas avoid both relationships and prostitution.
Despite all this, there was a practice in the ceremony called Mizuage, where a Maiko (Apprentice) becomes Geisha. In this ceremony, her virginity was auctioned and the money was used to promote her debut. Fortunately this practice became illegal in 1959.
Anyway, it is undeniable that in the past people used to seek out these places for entertainment. They were so well-known that they were called "Quarteirões do Prazer" (yuukaku - 游廓).
It was in these places that many aspects of contemporary Japanese culture emerged, such as Kabuki, which is currently a theater performed by men, but which used to be a sensual dance.
What happened to the Geishas?
The Gueixas were quite popular in Japan, so much so that it even became a female occupation. They were known as elegant and high-class women. Being a geisha was honorable and glamorous, many of them started their training from a young age, around 3 to 5 years old, with the average being 9 years old.
The geisha greatly diminished around the second world war, because teahouses, bars and geisha houses were forced to close, and all employees were put to work in factories for the war. The country considered the training of geishas from childhood as child labor.
The name geisha also lost its meaning, as prostitutes started referring to themselves as geishas to American military personnel. After a while, geisha houses were allowed to be opened, but the few women who returned decided to reject Western influence and return to traditional forms of entertainment and life.
Currently, there are few gueixas in Japan compared to the past, they can be found in the hanamachi districts of gueixas in cities like Kyoto.
Entering a teahouse or restaurant that currently has geishas is luxurious and very expensive, being a geisha is a very profitable profession, but complicated and demanding.
In 1920 there were about 80,000 geishas. In 1970 approximately 17,000. And nowadays, an estimated thousand traditional geishas
Gion Matsuri - Geisha Festival
Gion Matsuri is one of Japan's most famous festivals, and also the longest - running throughout the month of July. This festival is held in Kyoto in the Gion geisha district. However, most of the main attractions of the festival do not take place in Gion alone. This is a festival full of attractions.
This festival originated as part of a purification ritual (goryo-e) to calm the gods and prevent fires, floods, and earthquakes. This practice was repeated whenever an outbreak occurred. In 970, it was declared as an annual event.
The Yamaboko Float
The peak of the festival are the Yamaboko parades on July 17th and July 24th. The streets of Gion are reserved for pedestrian traffic three days before. Vendors offer snacks and games on the streets, and many people attend these days wearing the traditional Yukata.
The floats at Yoiyama Parade are divided into two groups, Hoko and Yama, which are called Yamaboko (or Yamahoko). There are 9 of the large Hokos (with long sticks or halberds), which represent the 66 spears used in the original purification ritual, and 23 of the smaller Yamas, which carry life-size figures of important and famous people.
All the floats are decorated with beautiful tapestries from Nishijin (the best in all of Japan) or imported from various parts of the world. In addition to the artistic elements, there are many traditional musicians and artists on top of the cars.
The Hoko floats are usually heavy and dangerous, reaching up to 12,000 kg and 25 meters in height. Their wheels typically have a diameter of about 2 meters. The Yama floats usually weigh one and a half tons and are about 6 meters tall.
The Gion Matsuri is perhaps the best event in Japan for geisha fans and photographers. You can find the most famous and traditional Geisha, Maiko, and Tayu.
Hanamachi - Geisha Districts
Kyoto has several districts of geishas or hanamachi, known for their Ochaya tea houses. The atmosphere of the hanamachi takes you back to the Edo era; most of these districts are filled with restaurants and nightlife. Kyoto is a historical and traditional city, where you can find the best geisha hanamachi in all of Japan.
The word Hanamachi means Cidade Das Flores, which are the Geisha districts, where the Ochaya are located, which are the tea houses where the Geishas provide entertainment consisting of conversations, flirting, drinks, traditional games, musical performances, singing, and dancing.
G Geishas live in a Okiya, a lodging house that provides special treatment for Geishas, and they stay there for the duration of their nenki (contract or career as a geisha). Now let's take a look at the 4 major Hanamachi or Geisha districts of the city of Kyoto:
Gion - Japan's largest geisha district
Gion is the largest and most exclusive geisha district in Japan. The Ochaya in Gion are the exclusive retreats of the wealthy individuals in Japan. It is also common for foreign dignitaries and important clients to be invited.
For the general public, the best place to see geisha and maiko is the streets of Gion. Many tourists walk the streets of Gion hoping to see one, but it's not easy. I didn't get a chance to see any myself, but the streets are beautiful for pictures.
There is also an annual evolution of Gion geisha called Miyako Odori (cherry blossom dance). It is performed every night in April at the historic Kaburenjo Theater. This attraction has been held annually since 1869.
Pontocho - The district on the kamogawa river
Pontocho is a street near the hanamachi of Gion, parallel to the river, formed by shops, tea houses and restaurants. All the architecture is original to the sec. XII and withstood destruction and modernization, remaining untouched to this day.
Pontocho is centered around a narrow stone corridor that stretches for about six blocks. The area is filled with restaurants and a variety of néon illuminating the nightlife.
Most of the restaurants on the east side of the alley overlook the Kamogawa River. Some offer a dining platform over the river known as a kawayuka.
The "back" part of the street is located along the banks of the Kamo River, and the balconies of the restaurants create a very picturesque view. Your chance of encountering Gueixas or Maiko in this area is quite high. A place to enjoy the river by a lawn that even allows you to play football.
Miyagawacho - Hanamichi with kabuki
Miyagawacho has a large entertainment area along the banks of the Kamo River. In addition to several Ochaya, you will find the famous Kabuki Minamiza theater in Miyagawacho which sometimes features Geisha performances.
In this region there are several performances involving geishas and maiko, you can easily buy a ticket and watch a show. A very popular event is Miyako Odori, which only runs for a few weeks in April.
Miyagawacho was home to many kabuki theaters that took place along the riverbank, there were even teahouses operating on boats in the river.
Kamishichiken - the music district
Kamishichiken [上七軒] literally means 7 upper houses and refers to the seven tea houses built from materials from the reconstruction of the Kitano Shrine during the Muromachi period (1333-1573).
In the neighborhood there are about 25 geisha and maiko who work in 10 Ochaya. The geishas in this district are known for their excellent music. Here you will find the Kamishichiken Kaburenjo theater and events like Kitano Odori.
Kamishichiken is one of Kyoto's oldest Geisha neighborhoods. Unlike the other areas that are in the center of the city close to each other, this one is located further away, so it is quieter and has fewer tourists.
Classifications and Formations of Geishas
The girls or daughters who were trained as geishas were known as hangyoku. At the time, it required extensive training to become a geisha, and they went through the following stages:
- Shikomi - Means "maid";
- Minarai - Means "learning by observing";
- Hangyuku - It means semi-jewel - they receive half the salary of a geisha. (Maiko)
- Maiko - Final stage of training, means "the girl who dances";
Currently, women can directly become geisha or maiko. A woman over 21 is too old to become a maiko, so she becomes a geisha right away.
Girls can become apprentices (Maiko) before they turn 18. They do and learn everything with their onee-san, an experienced geisha who serves as a tutor. Being a Maiko has its advantages and prestige, as they are at the height of femininity. After 5 years as a Maiko, or upon reaching a certain age, they become Geisha and make much more profit.
The geishas were allowed to have a danna, a wealthy man who covered the costs of their training. There was no exchange of sexual favors, but in some cases, a forbidden romance between the two could be happening.
If a geisha decided to marry, she would participate in a Hiki Iwai ceremony (celebration of separation), thus she would cease to be a geisha and sometimes found a patron danna who would her.
Differentiating Geisha from Maiko
To tell a geisha from a Maiko, just look at her collar. A Maiko often wears brightly colored kimonos and a red collar. While a Geisha usually wears muted colors and a white collar.
There are many details about geishas that have not been mentioned. There is too much information for just one article, so we will conclude here. We recommend that you also read other related articles.
Unfortunately, we know of few anime or stories that have geishas or maiko as protagonists, but we will try to mention a few below:
- Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu;
- We also recommend the movie Memoirs of a Geisha.
Questions about Geishas
How do geisha sleep?
The learners spend hours styling their hair and, to avoid ruining it, sleep on a wooden brick (gueixas older can use wigs).
