Geiko is a term used to describe geisha in Western Japan, including Kyoto and Kanazawa. This term directly translates as 'woman of art', and is part of the Kyoto dialect spoken by geisha in Kyoto and Western Japan.
geisha, a member of a professional class of women in Japan whose traditional occupation is to entertain men, in modern times, particularly at businessmen's parties in restaurants or teahouses.
While geishas are traditionally women of Japanese origin, a few non-Japanese women have completed geisha training. If you are in your later teens or even early 20s, it's possible that an okasan may accept you but it's not typical.
The word geisha comes from the Japanese word “gei” meaning art and “sha” meaning person.
' 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.
Geiko (geisha) receive a full compensation for their job engagements, however, the monthly income depends on the amount of hours they work. Just like theater performers, there is a huge variation in the income of the geisha based on the skills and popularity.
Geiko can choose either to specialize in dance or music. There are no age limits on the geisha, there is a geisha (geiko) in Gion who is 90. However, one loses the status of geisha whenever she chooses to marry. Geisha (geiko) must be single.
At its worst, the geisha tradition involves force, fraud, and deception, and the horrifying practice of selling one's own children into slavery for purposes of sexual exploitation.
In ancient times, there was no electricity in Japan, and most facilities were only lit by candlelight. Since candlelight was not bright enough, Geishas painted their faces white to enhance their skin tones and to contour their faces, making their faces more visible and recognizable.
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.
There is no point harassing the geisha, obstructing their daily routine, jamming cameras in their faces. It's rude, can get you in trouble, ruins every foreigner's reputation and it's a questionable style of photography. Instead, be mindful when taking photos and go beyond obvious portraiture.
For this reason, a Geisha sleeps with her neck on a small wooden support or takamakura. This can cause crippling pain and sleep deprivation, and keeping the head balanced on the stand is a difficult skill to master.
Geisha lore hints that they do fall in love with clients, but the operative word is "client" and the love is not free.
Now Sayuki, she is the only white woman to ever become a full-fledged geisha in Japan. Sayuki says it took her three years to perfect the art of geisha.
In Japan, geisha are very highly respected because they spend years training to learn the traditional instruments and dances of Japan. Although some western media portray geisha as prostitutes, that's just a myth.
“There are two easy ways to distinguish between maiko and geisha,” says Lugasi. “Maiko will have decorations like flowers in her hair, which geiko will not. From behind, the maiko's obi (kimono belt) is long and stretches down almost to the floor while the geiko's obi is folded into a square shape on her back.”
At the time women wore chalky white make up. At night, by candlelight, as in the case of geisha, a woman's face glimmered magically. Unpainted teeth would have looked unpleasantly yellow in contrast and the black lacquer helped hide the teeth, which may not have been in the best of shape.
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).
History. Mizuage has been long connected with the loss of virginity of a maiko, owing to the fact that some maiko did undergo ceremonies to lose their virginity. Mizuage for a maiko would also include monetary sponsorship by the mizuage patron, intended to support and promote the maiko's debut to geisha status.
Their role is often misunderstood by those not of Japanese descent. Geisha are not prostitutes, in the past, the right to take the virginity of a Geisha (mizuage) was sold by the Geisha house. In reality, it was more a sponsorship for the Maiko's training, which was really expensive.
Actually seeing a geisha in Japan is rare, but it's not impossible. And if you are going to see one, Kyoto is your best bet. Here's our advice for how and where to see geisha (or geiko, rather) and maiko in Kyoto.
Fiona Graham is the first Caucasian woman to be accepted into the ancient Japanese geisha tradition.
Mineko Iwasaki (岩崎 峰子/岩崎 究香, Iwasaki Mineko, born Masako Tanaka (田中 政子), 2 November 1949) is a Japanese businesswoman, author and former geisha. Iwasaki was the most famous geisha in Japan until her sudden retirement at the age of 29.
Geisha (or geiko) are professional entertainers who attend guests during meals, banquets and other occasions. They are trained in various traditional Japanese arts, such as dance and music, as well as in the art of communication.
Hiki-iwai: The hiki-iwai ceremony marks a geisha's retirement. She no longer entertains at parties, and she may discontinue her studies. At this point, a former geisha might become the head of an okiya or teahouse, or she may leave the geisha life entirely.