Geisha Sekai

Geisha.
A world. A mystery.

They may know how to dance, to sing, to perform but above all they are magicians!
Geisha Sekai or Geisha world is exclusive and secretive. This blog aims to introduce their world to you in rudimentary way.

Who are they?
Geisha are Japan's cultural heritage icon. The word Geisha (gei-art, sha-person) means an artist. These traditional Japanese artists and entertainers are skilled at different Japanese arts like playing the shamisen (traditional Japanese music instrument), dancing, poetry, literature, tea ceremony as well as in the art of communication. They are treated almost like celebrities in Japan. It is said that if you tell a Geisha your secret she will always keep it with her until the very end.

Geisha playing Shamisen

A Geisha performing

Geisha are called "Geiko" in Kyoto where the Geisha culture is stronger and older. Becoming a professional Geisha in Kyoto usually takes up to 5 years of training and dedication.
A Maiko (Mai- dance, Ko- child) is an apprentice Geisha or someone who's on the journey to becoming a Geisha. Maiko usually wears bright coloured kimono (traditional Japanese dress) and elaborated head ornaments as compared to a Geisha who wears simpler kimono and less elaborated head ornaments. Geisha are highly respected in Japan and it is very hard to become one. In order to become a Geisha, one has to first be a maiko who has to go under years of training before finally becoming a full Geisha.

 Maiko (left) and Geisha (right)

Few differences between a Maiko and Gesiha

What do they do?

Geisha perform during meals, banquets and other occasions. They make sure that their guests who usually are males feel comfortable and at ease with conversations, drinking games and dance performances. A Geisha might be accompanied by a Maiko who observers her big sister (the Geisha) and through that learns to attend guests and learn how to initiate witty conversations among other things.

Where do they live and where can they be found?

Geisha live in special houses called Okiya (Geisha house) and perform at Ochaya (tea houses).
Geisha can be found in various places across Japan but Kyoto remains to be the most attractive and famous place to experience Geisha. Geisha can also be found in Tokyo. Hiring a Geisha is expensive and in the former times Geisha were only hired by high class businessmen. As the Geisha world has become less restrictive due to the economic downturn, it is now possible for almost anyone to experience Geisha with a sufficient budget.

Wait...are Geisha prostitutes?

This is the biggest myth surrounding the culture of Geisha and the answer is a flat NO.

A Geisha should never be confused for a prostitute as they sell their art not their bodies.
Geisha are highly trained artists who entertain customers with their art. They solely belong to the entertainment class.

How many are there?

There were over 80,000 Geisha during the 1920s, which has now plummeted to an estimate of only 1,000-2,000, and many believe that the world of Geisha is steadily decreasing.

Some exceptions..

Since Geisha culture is traditional to Japan, most women who become Geisha are Japanese.

Liza Dalby, an anthropologist and author specialising in Japanese culture, is the first and only non-Japanese women in the world to be trained as a Geisha.

 

Liza Dalby on left and as a Geisha on right

Eitaro Matsunoya is Japan's only male geisha who performs in a female role. A professional and energetic geisha, Eitaro's mother devoted her life to geisha tradition until her death in 2009 due to cancer after which he started following his mother's footsteps.

Eitaro performing as a Geisha

Eitaro with Shamisen

While the Geisha culture is decreasing due to rapid modernisation, it is impossible to think of Japan without Geisha due to their traditional significance over the years. It is then traditions like this that makes it clear how important it is for any nation to hold on to its traditional values.

Thank you for stopping by! If you are interested to learn more about Geisha culture and have any questions or feedback in your mind, please comment below!

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