Geisha

Geisha
Two apprentice geisha (maiko)
Japanese name
Kanji	芸者
Transcriptions Romanization geisha

Geisha (芸者) (or geigi (芸妓) or geiko (芸子)) are traditional female Japanese entertainers. They are skilled at different Japanese arts, like playing classical Japanese music, dancing and poetry. Geisha are not prostitutes, despite what some people think.^[1]

The term geisha is made of two Japanese words, 芸 (gei) meaning "art," and 者 (sha), meaning "person who does" or "to be employed in." The most literal translation in English is "artist." Geisha are respected as artists and performers, and it is difficult to become one.^[2]

Kyoto is the city with the strictest geisha traditions. Geisha have worked there for the longest time. Becoming a professional geisha can take up to five years of training in Kyoto.

Apprentice geisha are called maiko (舞子). The name comes from 舞 (mai), meaning "dancing," and 子 (ko), meaning "child." Maiko wear white make-up called oshiroi and long-sleeved kimono with many bright colors. Maiko in some places wear a belt, called an obi, that is up to 6 metres (20 ft) long. Many maiko wear fancy hairstyles made with their own hair, but in some places, they wear wigs instead. Full geisha wear simpler kimono and wear white makeup only for special occasions. Geisha also wear wigs and have a much shorter kimono belt.

There are also geisha in other cities, but there are differences. In Tokyo, becoming a full geisha takes from six months to a year. Geisha apprentices in Tokyo are called han'gyoku (半玉), which means "half jewel" or "half pay." Apprentice geisha in Tokyo are also called o-shaku (御酌), which means "one who serves (alcohol)." Geisha in Tokyo are normally older than those in Kyoto.^{[3][not in the source given]}

Many geisha still live in traditional geisha houses called okiya (置屋) in neighborhoods called hanamachi (花街), which means "flower town." Older geisha who are successful may have their own home. A geisha always needs to be registered to a geisha house to be allowed to work.

The world that geisha are a part of is called karyūkai (花柳界), which means "the flower and willow world."^[4] One very famous geisha, Mineko Iwasaki, said that is because a "geisha like a flower, beautiful in her own way, and like a willow tree, gracious, flexible, and strong."^[5]

Geisha are considered to be cultural icons of Japan.

1. ↑ Henshall, K. G. (1999). A History of Japan. Macmillan Press LTD, London. p. 61. ISBN 0-333-74940-5.
2. ↑ Ito, Masami (2017-11-25). "Japan's geisha battle to protect their future". Japan Times. Retrieved 2020-10-15.
3. ↑ "Tokyo Asakusa" (in Japanese). Taito-ku Association of Tokyo. Archived from the original on 13 September 2011. Retrieved 21 August 2007.
4. ↑ ""Geisha, A Life", by Mineko Iwasaki". MostlyFiction.com. Archived from the original on 3 April 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
5. ↑ Iwasaki, Mineko (2003). Geisha: A Life. Washington Square Press. p. 7. ISBN 0-7434-4429-9.