Geisha

“Gei” means arts or performances, and “sha” means people of Japanese. When we think of geisha’s what comes to mind are women dressed in bright clothing culture clothing, white painted faces and a dainty walk. What we don’t consider is the lack of emotion, strict code of silence and secrecy. Geisha, just like prostitutes are trained to have a strict code of silence and protectiveness toward their clients. Elderly geisha could be considered Madams, who provided training to new recruits. Over the centuries, elderly geisha have also developed a deeply routed tradition of secrecy. Elderly women behind the mask have fulfilled a destiny rooted in Japanese history. Although associated with prostitution, many modern day women continue to seek this tradition. My research however, revealed contradictory information on whether or not geisha were actually prostitutes.
The majority of my research material stated geisha actually started as men jesters and musicians who entertained in brothels. This continued until 1751 when the first document record of female geisha appeared. Most documented material on geisha treated them as images of lovely passive girls whose purpose was solely in male entertainment and pleasure or as prostitutes or courtesans. During the time period of 1751 it was not uncommon for actors to double as prostitutes. It was also not uncommon for Meiji government officials to select geisha for their wives. It is still said that geisha inhabit a separate reality which they call the karyūkai or "the flower and willow world." Before they disappeared, the courtesans were the colorful "flowers" and the geisha are the "willows” because of their subtlety, strength, and grace.
In 1647, women were banned from public stage after squabbles between samurai and desirable women. The government was not concerned over morality, rather were concerned over threats to public order. They started to round up as many courtesans and prostitutes as possible and installed them in government sponsored pleasure quarters modeled after the Ming Dynasty China. They were separated from the rest of the city by walls and moats in an attempted to maintain order. These quarters were frequented by wealthy merchants and by samurai retainers of the feudal lords who were required by law to spend alternate years there away form their fiefdoms. The culture of the geisha arose out of legal prostitution by a most indirect route during the seventeenth century. Geishas could also pass the duty of sex to courtesans or professional prostitutes as they often did. Geisha’s are considered professional hostesses who entertain customers through various performing arts, not through the art of sex. Several of my research items concluded that in the geisha community, until the end of the nineteen century, there was a very thin line between acting and prostitution and it was not uncommon for actors to double as prostitutes.
The geisha society is surrounded in secrecy to shield them from prying eyes; their lives go on behind closed doors out of the public eye. Many Japanese have never seen or met a geisha. The Japanese have as many misconceptions of them as the western world does. Perhaps this mystery enhances their allure and makes them popular even today. Geisha appear to be more of a painted doll then a woman. Her face is painted white, her eyes are outlined in black, and her eyebrows are etched in brown, and her lips are painted in a tiny pout of cherry red. Her clothing is a brilliantly colored kimono that is tightly crossed and covers her to the throat. Their overall appearances makes one stop and take notice. Perhaps she is more of a walking work of art with a combination of symbols and erotic markings. Each book used for this paper explained the same type of training required to become a geisha. It required them to complete extensive training and continue improving their skills by taking numerous lessons throughout their lives as geishas. Part of this training is the classical Japanese music and dance, tea ceremony, flower arranging, or calligraphy; it is a never ending job to maintain their status as geisha. In the nineteen and early twentieth centuries, geishas did not take up the profession by choice, they were indentured by their families at the early age of five. Some became geishas to escape poverty. Today, women who are deciding to become geisha choose this profession to pursue their educational interest in classical Japanese song and dance. They are also interested in pursuing and keeping alive the Japanese tradition of the geisha. There are several steps that a woman must achieve before commencing the extensive five year training to become a full geisha. The first step is to learn to speak the distinctive Kyoto lilt and use the special geisha vocabulary. Secondly, they must learn by watching older geishas in their every day tasks and performance. It is during this time they run errands, paint their faces, and dress in the traditional kimonos. Then, the five years of training will begin. Due to the intense training, a few girls decide to leave and not continue their training. Unlike the nineteen and twentieth century the girls were not sold in to this profession and can leave without repercussions. Geisha are considered a “person of art”, not only for their skills of dancing and music but for their make-up, dress, skills at conversation and entertainment. It’s all about the persona, skills passed down through generations. Although the modern geisha must learn to play golf, they are often asked to spend the day at exclusive clubs with a client. Clients can take pride in losing to such an opponent. Geisha learn the game very well but must lose convincingly. The geisha swear by the axiom that “a clever woman never lets a man know how clever she is.” The modern geisha society of today is considered an industry that has evolved through the centuries to cater to men’s sensual desires. She is not a prostitute. If however, she decides to have sex, it is at her discretion or part of an enduring relationship, not a job requirement. Her business of today is to sell a dream of luxury, romance and exclusivity. The business of today is to entertain clients by telling stories, pouring drinks and laughing at jokes. Sometimes she will perform songs or dance. Even today, some geisha will have a “Danna”; a client who pays their income, provides an apartment, and covers their expenses for kimonos, dance classes and fees for public performances. Most see themselves as independent women revolving their life around developing skills in music and dance. Geisha like to boast they have no idea of how to cook or clean. They have no desire to become wives or mothers. They are at ease in the company of men and some may even become confidantes of the most powerful men in Japan. After all, they are trained to listen and be charming companions to wealthy men. Geisha, when in a relationship with a married man, will full their needs, wants and desires wives can not, without any expectation. The western world may not be interested in Japanese traditional music or dance but mention geisha and everyone becomes interested. The fantasy of geisha is still persistent in American culture. This began years before when western travelers first visited Japan. During the first encounters with Japan, most foreigners thought geishas were prostitutes, but in fact they were not courtesan and did not always sell herself to the highest bidder. They were however, portrayed as high class prostitutes in the media. Actual pictures were of prostitutes but sold as imagines of the geisha. Travel guides were also filled with misconception. Narratives were motivated by potential gains not based on truth; readers felt they were authenticity because the writer had visited Japan or perhaps they just wanted to believe in something exotic. Although during this time, foreigners had limited access to Japan and most contact was made with Japanese prostitutes, not geisha. In the late 1850’s when Japan started opening up to outsiders, more westerners frequently had contact with entertainers who were surely geisha. However, westerners did not recognize them as such. The term geisha does not appear in the western account of Japan until the mid 1870’s. At the time, geisha evoked the western male’s fantasy, mystery, subservience and secret sexual skills far from the western women they were use to. The dream geisha doesn’t speak English, dotes on their every whim, and doesn’t make demands. Historical circumstance has also fed into the western perceptions of the geisha.
In 1944, everything changed in the world of geisha teahouses, bars and houses. These establishments were forced to close and all employees had to go to work in factories to support the war efforts. World War II was the major cause for change within the geisha society. During the allied occupation (1945-52), thousands of American GI’s descended on Japan. Every lady of the night called herself a “geisha girl” or allowed herself to be referred to as such. Even though some soldiers may have known they were not true geisha, the word gained broad usage in the English language as they came home with stories of geisha’s. The public may be surprised to learn geisha are not paid to perform; they must pay for all expenses. The cost of participating in the performing arts in Japan puts geisha into debt right from the start. Geishas, like other students in Japan, must pay for their own instruments, lessons, fees and performing stage cost. Still, further expenses result from mandatory tips to costume assistance, wiggists, properties staff, makeup artist, stage managers and supervisors, lighting and sound effects personnel, and backstage guards. Let’s not forget the cost of room and board and several kimonos needed for different performances. Face makeup, wigs, and kimono accessories, which can cost more then the kimono. All of these expenses place a heavy financial burden on the geisha. Geisha have always struggled to make ends meet. To some extent, they share the same financial concerns as others who devote themselves to music and dance in Japan. Prostituting was just another way to pay the bills. Male performers and geisha perform the same repertoire; however the males earn regular salaries that come with theater positions. They get paid thanks to two large entertainment industries, Toho and Shochiku, which have served as the financial backing to the Kabuki since World War II. The Japanese government also aids male theater traditions by providing a theater. The geisha financially maintain their own theater. They do so by paying rental fees for rehearsals and performances. To offset the cost, dues must be paid to the geisha association. The Japanese government offers financial support to musicians and dancers whom they deem as Living National Treasures/Holders of Important Intangible Cultural Properties. The government started this program after World War II when it appeared certain aspects of traditional art was bound for extinction. The Cultural Assets Protection Law was put into place in 1950 to award grants to performers who continued traditions at risk of demise. After 1954, this was expanded to include all traditional arts possessing a clear historical value to future generations whether dying or not. Geisha are not among the group of approved historical value. There is not a category that exists for such unique, historically rooted, multi-disciplinary talents. Many geisha feel the title of Living National Treasures should be awarded to them due to uniqueness of their career, the necessity of full dedication to art. They also feel that since the Kabuki stage is closed to women, the government should compensate them for this restriction. However, if the government awards lifetime salary to geisha, it would undoubtedly rest uneasy with the public. Female performers continue to be associated with prostitution and political controversy since their clients have included politicians. Another factor the Meiji-era government dictates for art it is used as a tool for moral and spiritual strengthening. This has left a legacy of devaluing art (and its practitioner) intended exclusively for pleasure (such as the geisha).
Modern day geisha are trying to keep a dying tradition alive. It’s now about a society of women committed to artistic excellence, not sex. Although today it is customary not to require sex from any geisha or Kabuki actor, there is still the preconceived notion geishas associated with prostitution. Therefore, they may never achieve the Living National Treasures award. This would truly be unjust as geisha’s are a part of the historical history of Japan. A maiko, essentially an apprentice geisha, are considered one of the great sights of Japanese tourism. They look very different from fully qualified Geisha. Geisha are at the peak of traditional Japanese femininity. They are truly the most impeccable form of Japanese art. It’s difficult to understand why the true geisha is not considered a historical value and is a great injustice. Geisha are concerned, but hope they will not be allowed to disintegrate. They realize it’s difficult for a potential supporter to become involved because of the issue of prostitution in the beginning. Even thought this has changed, many who have provided money to the society often become shunned by his or her friends and community. It would be impossible for anyone to support them if they are currently involved with, or wee to seek public office. This is a shame as geisha are a part of Japan’s history and should be protected and given salaries through the theaters, just as male performers. Geisha’s have found it has also become more difficult to encourage young women to become potential geisha once they learn about the dedication expected, the cost, and the uncertainty regarding patronage. I hope the Japanese government takes another look at this part of their history before it becomes too late.
It maybe difficult as the modern day geisha attempt to put the prostitution issue to rest. They must still contend with prostitute claiming to be geisha. One such group is the hot spring geisha. They tend to work in spa resorts and are viewed by Japanese as better than a common prostitute. They normally cater to far less exclusive patrons and are much less expensive. If their income is supplemented by selling sex, they remain distinct from regular prostitutes. Like geisha, they are trained in the art of Japanese music and dance.
Around the world, the term geisha has many different connotations. Some western countries think that geisha are high-class prostitutes or escorts. Even some Japanese citizens see geisha in that way because of the lower class geisha who do sell their bodies and work as prostitutes. The biggest misconception of geisha is they have sex with their clients: the most exclusive modern geisha do not. Their sex and love lives are distinct from their professional life. Modern day geisha are financially and emotionally successful and some of the strongest women in Japan.
Historically, Japanese feminist have seen geisha as exploited women. But some modern geisha see themselves as liberated feminists. These women leave their families at a young age to immerse themselves in their art. They believe that men can make a life for themselves, always being in control, so why can't women? Also, they "have grown adept at using their silken charms to wind their men around their little fingers... to manipulate the dumb, unsuspecting male of the species... to make a man think that he is the one who has the brilliant ideas". Not all geisha identify themselves with feminism, and there is a concern that the geisha tradition holds back progress for Japanese women. Japanese feminist may not have to worry about exploited women much longer as the geisha community declines. In December 2002, an ad was placed in the Jipangu Club, a magazine of a senior citizens group, stating for a fee of 25,000-30,000 any member of the public can reserve a place at an ozashiki party. This would have been unheard of ten years ago. For now, the only feasible path to survival is to increase the customer base.
The single word geisha draws around itself a whole constellation of desire and prejudices. They have threaded its way down the centuries, relying on its image and refusing to play anyone’s game. It is a community of mostly female, handing down the tradition from generation to generation. This is something that has been done since the tradition started over 250 years ago. Geisha are unique to Japan and not found in any other country. In pre-modern Japan, a geisha’s illegitimate daughter probably had little choice but to follow in her mothers footsteps. If a geisha has given birth to a son he would be adopted by this father, the geisha patron, to be raised by the man’s legitimate wife. Yes, they have been associated with prostitution in pre-modern Japan but, at the time it was legal and served a purpose during the war. They no longer have a need to offer that service and haven’t for years. The Japanese government should look past public opinion. Time and geishas have changed. Prostitution is no longer a part of the true geisha’s life and the government should offer financial assistance. After all, when you think of Japan, geisha always come to mind. They also attract tourist and help the economy. It would be a shame to allow them to disappear into the pages of history.

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