What is a Geisha? History, Traditions, & More (2024)

What is a Geisha? History, Traditions, & More

What is a geisha? If you’ve ever wondered about Japan’s most intriguing cultural tradition, look no further.

Geishas are highly respected in Japan. The primary role of a geisha –throughout history and in the modern day –is to professionally entertain, usually at teahouses and restaurants for parties of businessmen. This entertainment encompasses a variety of traditional Japanese arts, ranging from artistic performance skills like singing, dancing, and music to cultural traditions like calligraphy, tea ceremonies, and flower arranging. Japanese geisha are also trained to play traditional instruments like the flute or three-stringed shamisen. Hospitality and social skills like conversation and hosting are also key components of being a geisha.

History of the Geisha

Geishas have been part of Japanese culture for centuries – though it might surprise you to learn that the first geisha were actually men. During the Edo Period, between 500-600 men were working as taikomochi, the male form of a geisha. A male geisha would advise and accompany their feudal lords while also acting as a hybrid storyteller, artist and tea ceremony host.

Traditionally, geishas were assistants to the oiran, the collective name for Japan’s highest-ranking courtesans and elite prostitutes during the Edo period (also a time in history when prostitution was legal in Japan). Many Japanese art paintings and woodcut prints illuminate us on the flamboyant and intricate world of the 17th-century oiran, and their geisha assistants. Gradually, patrons spent more time with geishas; they were more socially accessible and didn’t cost as much when indulging in traditional dance or other traditional arts .

By the early 1800s, the role of geisha shifted to predominantly women, and this remained constant until World War II when most women undertook factory jobs and men had little time for leisure.

The more unsavory reputation of geishas as sex workers began around that same time. Some women already engaged in that profession advertised their services under the moniker ‘geisha girls’ when American servicemen thronged the streets of Japan.

What is a Geisha?

What is a Geisha? History, Traditions, & More (1)

The word ‘geisha’ stems from the Japanese ‘gei’ (art) and ‘sha’ (person). Put together, the word literally means ‘artistic person’. People in the geisha profession are also referred to as ‘geiko’, which is the word for geisha in Kyoto dialect, the city where most of today’s geishas now reside.

Where do Geishas Live?

Working geishas live at the okiya, a geisha house run by a ‘mother’ who cares for the women affiliated with the establishment. Though they’re not required to spend every night there, it’s legally necessary to maintain a registration with an okiya in order to work as an established geisha.

What Can Geishas Not Do?

It’s common to hear that geishas are ‘married to the art, not to a man.’ 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. This level of connection may be sufficient for some women to remain working as a geisha throughout their adult life. There is no specific retirement age for geisha, so if they don’t want to marry, they can continue being a geisha throughout their lives.

Conversely, despite being unable to marry, it’s still acceptable for geishas to have children –and it’s relatively common. The fathers are often not in the picture though, thanks to the rule mentioned above.

Two Types of Geishas

There are two types of geishas: a maiko (geisha-in-training) and a geiko (official geisha). Becoming a geisha takes at least six years of training, during which they learn various skills and complete several stages that introduce them to geisha life. So, what is a maiko exactly? Read on and find out!

Maiko - Geisha in Training

Maiko training typically begins at around 14-15 years old for a woman. Young girls start by attending a geisha house or training school (also called okiya) and participating in the Shikomi training period. Lasting anywhere from a few months to a year, Shikomi introduces the girls to basic tasks and chores, teaches them how to wear kimono, and provides lessons in music and dance. Instead of traditional kimono, they wear normal clothing during this stage.

What is a Geisha? History, Traditions, & More (2)

The Minarai stage comes next, where a younger geisha can learn by observation while watching their elders entertain guests at parties and functions. After this stage, they each have a Misedashi ceremony and debut as a maiko officially, which precipitates an apprenticeship of around five years.

Geiko - Official Geisha

There is no official test for maiko to become a geiko. Instead, those in charge at the training school decide who is ready for this change in status. There is a ceremony called the ‘Turning of the Collar’ to recognize the importance of a maiko’s graduation, where her kimono collar changes from a white one with red embroidery to a pure white collar. This is the more demure outfit of an official geisha.

How to Become a Geisha

A geisha’s appearance is a crucial part of her profession, so it can take two hours or more to fully prepare for the day ahead.

Makeup

Geisha are renowned for their white powdered faces, similar to the powder foundation used by kabuki actors. Known as oshiroi, this powder is mixed with water to form a paste. Once the geisha has applied a thick oily wax base called abura to her face, she uses a wide flat hake brush to cover her skin with the oshiroi powder.

Though the face is painted in white, the neck is left bare, aside from two lines painted on the back of the neck. That’s because the neck is regarded as an erotic part of the body, so the contrast of white paint and bare skin is particularly evocative. The two lines also indicate that her makeup is akin to a mask.

Black eyeliner and mascara are worn, along with a paste (tsubushi) that’s laid onto the eyebrows so red pigment can be added. Some geishas will shave their eyebrows off entirely to draw on smoother versions instead. Bright red lipstick, called beni, creates a flower bud effect on the lips. It’s also used as a pink contour on cheeks and at the outside corner of both eyes.

Hair

Hairstyles can change depending on the geisha’s rank, and might involve using hair combs, pins, barrettes and fabric flowers to help create intricate and recognizable designs.

In order to maintain their intricate and elaborate hairstyle, a geisha would sleep using a special pillow with a hole in the middle, called a taka-makura. Translated as ‘tall pillow,’ this was more of a support stand than a pillow, and couldn't have been particularly comfortable!

Nowadays, many geishas wear professionally designed wigs, known as katsura and made from real human hair, though maikos are more likely to have intricate styles created in their own hair.

Kimono

Geishas wear a modest kimono, usually made from linen, silk, wool or cotton. A maiko’s kimono will have long sleeves (furisode), while a geiko’s kimono has short sleeves (tomesode). The kimono also features patterns and motifs that may reflect the changing seasons, and can be made up of lots of layers, sometimes as many as fifteen, meaning it’s quite heavy and a little cumbersome to move around in. This also explains why geisha tend to walk at a sedate and slow pace.

Diet

A geisha’s diet is important as it maintains their figure and affects their skin’s appearance. Geishas will typically stick to a traditional Japanese-style diet, which includes plenty of green tea for its antioxidant properties, along with rice, fish and seaweed.

Where Can You Find a Geisha Today?

Geishas do still exist, but the numbers have depleted significantly. There used to be 80,000 geishas across Japan, but today there are approximately 1,000 working geishas left, mainly congregated in Kyoto, Tokyo, Kanazawa and some other cities. However, they carry a lot of traditional Japanese culture that is important to maintain to this day. With five major geisha districts, Kyoto is still the best place to visit: plenty of tourists excitedly report catching a glimpse of an elusive geisha quietly walking down narrow alleyways.

Unfortunately, there have been problems with overzealous tourists demanding photos and conversations with modern geishas in the streets of Kyoto. To protect them from harassment, the local government has banned unauthorized photography of geishas and implemented a 10,000 yen fine ($90). It’s recommended to leave a geisha alone if you see one in the street: they’re usually very busy and just trying to get home or to work!

Just as the geishas prioritize self-care, why not relax this season with the Treat Yourself Box from our Japanese snack Boutique? Meditate with some sakura incense sticks, pop on a Dianthus Flower Face Mask, lower yourself into a nourishing bubble bath, and complete with some relaxing bath tablets. Pure bliss!

What is a Geisha? History, Traditions, & More (2024)

FAQs

What is a Geisha? History, Traditions, & More? ›

More specifically, Japanese geisha are professional female entertainers who specialize in the country's traditional cultural arts. They usually attend guests at exclusive teahouses and dinners, where they not only serve food and drink but also put on performances and engage in conversation and lighthearted games.

What is the real history of geisha? ›

The geisha system is thought to have emerged in the 17th century to provide a class of entertainers set apart from courtesans and prostitutes, who plied their trades respectively among the nobility and samurai.

What is the traditional role of a geisha? ›

A traditional female hostess, entertainer and performing artist. The word geisha consists of two kanji: gei (芸, meaning 'art') and sha (者, meaning 'person' or 'doer'). The five geisha districts of Kyoto: Gion Kobu and Gion Higashi, Ponto-chō, Miyagawa-chō and Kamishichiken.

What is the point of a geisha? ›

If you've ever wondered about Japan's most intriguing cultural tradition, look no further. Geishas are highly respected in Japan. The primary role of a geisha – throughout history and in the modern day – is to professionally entertain, usually at teahouses and restaurants for parties of businessmen.

What does a geisha girl symbolize? ›

In Japanese culture, few images are more enduring than the geisha. A romantic symbol of classical Japan, geisha are traditionally shown as enigmatic, elegant, powerful, sexual and even lonely figures who have become a shadow of their former selves in the modern day.

What are geishas not allowed to do? ›

Geisha cannot get married. The rule of this profession is “being married to the art, not a man”. If they want to get married, they have to quit the job. Once they quit, it's usually impossible to come back, however they can debut from the beginning in a different city, under a different name and rules.

Do geishas still exist today? ›

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.

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.

Why do geishas have white faces? ›

The history of a geisha's iconic makeup goes back to the Heian Period (794-1185) where nobility wore the white paste in front of the emperor so that their faces would stand out in the candlelight. During this period, the influence of Chinese culture included trends in beauty and practice.

Do geishas 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 ...

Why did geishas have black teeth? ›

Ohaguro simply means to blacken the teeth. It's an old custom prevalent centuries ago among most married Japanese women, members of the aristocratic class, and samurai. It was considered a status symbol to have blackened teeth. The traditional method used involved soaking iron fillings in tea or sake.

Are geisha forced? ›

The life of a geisha: then and now

In the past, it was not uncommon for girls to be sold into service as young as four years old, bonded to their okiya and forced to work. This is, of course, no longer the case.

Why did the geisha cut her leg? ›

To inflame a doctor's lust for Sayuri (for the impending bidding war for her virginity), Mameha intentionally cuts Sayuri's leg high on her thigh (off camera). Mameha tells the doctor the cut came from a scissors accident; he stares longingly at her leg before stitching it up.

Why do girls want to be geishas? ›

Cultural Interest and Curiosity: Participants, especially women, express a strong interest in understanding the cultural aspects of being a geisha. Some believe that women are generally more curious and interested in exploring different cultures, such as Japanese culture through the geisha experience.

Are geishas respected in Japan? ›

No, as prostitution is illegal in Japan and the geishas are cultural performers who are deeply respected.

Is Memoirs of a geisha a true story? ›

No, it is not based on a true story. However, a real geisha, named Mineko Iwasaki, sued the author of the book because of defamation. Surprisingly, not the plot, but some characters in the book resembled some of the real characters in Mineko Iwasaki's life that she shared with the author in a private conversation.

Was Memoirs of a Geisha a true story? ›

No, it is not based on a true story. However, a real geisha, named Mineko Iwasaki, sued the author of the book because of defamation. Surprisingly, not the plot, but some characters in the book resembled some of the real characters in Mineko Iwasaki's life that she shared with the author in a private conversation.

What was the reality of geisha? ›

According to the superficial interpretation in the West, the geisha is usually regarded as the Japanese equivalent of the prostitute. Such a conception, however, is far removed from the reality of these women. Literally translated, “geisha” means “person of the arts”.

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