The History Of Geisha
Geisha is an almost mystical entity. No one in the West truly understands them and what they symbolize. The occupation of geisha has been around for more than 400 years, but for over 1000 years, an early form of geisha existed. A geisha is an old and respected form of entertainment. They must have many skills like music, dance, food, excellent conversational skills, and must know how to perform a tea ceremony. The word geisha loosely translates to “person of the arts.”
The first geisha
When the first geisha appeared in Japan, there were actually men around the beginning of the 1700s, and they were actually men! These men were called Taikomochi, and they existed since the 13th century. These male geisha were usually hired by courtesan houses to entertain customers with their dancing and their singing. There were no female geishas during this time, and most female entertainers were either independent artists or just groups of women who were employed to dance and sing. The Taikomochi were hired to entertain high ranking officials in their homes and after large events like battle victories and large social events.
Dancing Girls
Later on, groups of teen girls would be become dancers themselves and work in the pleasure centers of major cities. However, these girls were chaste and didn’t offer sex at first. But different groups of dancing girls conducted themselves, and some did have sex for money.
When a woman who worked as a dancing girl turned 20 to 24 years old, she could not work as a dancing girl anymore. She was too old and had to become another type of entertainer or find new work. These older women would adopt the term geisha, even though it was still a profession practiced by men. One of the reasons they adopted the term and did not create a new one for themselves was that it was not expected for geisha to have sex with their male clients since the geisha were men. The women who became geisha were skilled in different arts and talents, and they did not want to have sex for money anymore if that was what their dancing girl troop did.
Because the world of a geisha is filled with men to entertain, many western men thought that geisha performed sexual services for their client late at night when they were finished dancing, providing food, and talking with their hosts. But it seems that women who called themselves geisha and had sex with clients were not geisha at all. There was a law against geisha soliciting sex from men. This law was created by courtesans who worked in expensive brothels and did not want the geisha to dominate their industry.
It is quite offensive to solicit a geisha and pay her for sex. Also, since this rumor became popular around WW2, it was due to the fact that actual prostitutes wanted to make more money by overcharged Western soldiers in their area dressed up as geisha to seem more appealing.
Two worlds, one heart?
Is there a link between geisha and samurai? Many love stories are centered around the women and men of these two different but equally dedicated worlds. But there is, unfortunately, no evidence to suggest that it was common for samurai (or kinky samurai) and geisha to have whirlwind romances with each other. It seems to be an invention of the modern era.
How did a young girl become a geisha?
When a girl is 14 or 15, she becomes apprenticed by a master or an Okaasan. The young girl is now a Maiko, and she will learn everything about the geisha arts from the Okaasan or the older Maiko. An Okaasan is the master of the geisha house or the Okiya, and there were always women.
Check the differences between Maiko, Geiko and Geisha.
In order to become a geisha, you were either born into a family that had geisha connections, or you were recruited into a life of servitude because you were poor. Many poor women sought to become geishas because it meant leaving a life of uncertainty and starvation, but it is a rigorous lifestyle. Many women did not make the cut.
You must be naturally skilled to become a Maiko.
Also, training, along with room, board, and clothing, were not free. The okiya would keep a running tally of all the expensive a maiko or a geisha owned to the house.
Geisha in modern times
Nowadays, in the modern world, geisha are extremely rare. Young girls do not wish to become involved in such a restricted life, and college is much more appealing and educational. Also, extended education allows for more stable work. However, if a geish is only a little popular in a major city, they may be paid around $2,200 in a single night. But this usually includes the meal and the room, so it does not all go to the geisha. Unless used in a specific ceremony, there are visited by tourists for the most part. Throughout the whole of Japan, there are only 1000 geisha and maiko working. Although Taikomochi doesn’t exist anymore, they do take on a new form of male entertainers. They are now part of the male host clubs that dominate Japan’s larger cities. Unlike other cultures, these male host clubs are not for men, mostly. Women are the main clients in host clubs, and they can rent a host’s time and talk and sing with them.
Conclusion
The myth and tales of the geisha will forever be a part of Japanese culture. A bit less than three hundred years ago, female geisha began to dominate the entertainment scene that was once dominated by the male Taikomochi. During the 18th and 19 century, a geisha was one of the noblest pursuits because it meant that a woman was a well-paid entertainer that did not have to resort to sex with her clients to sustain herself. There are not many geisha in Japan as it is an intense profession that does not allow for independence, but their influence is now forever part of Japanese history.