Despite popular literature such as Arthur Golden’s novel Memoirs of a Geisha, the misconception persists outside of Japan as to the function of a geisha.  I recently found myself explaining to a co-worker how a geisha differs from a prostitute.

Let us suppose that you are throwing an important party (your parents’ golden wedding anniversary, for example), and would like to make it extra special by having a famous celebrity attend.  You know it will cost some money, but you can afford it, and it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event.

You decide to invite your parents’ favorite singer from the 1950s, Dina Valenti.  Dina has experienced a resurgence in popularity because she recently hosted Saturday Night Live. 

So, you track down Dina’s manager, and say “We would be honored to have Ms. Valenti appear at my parents’ anniversary party on September 1st.” 

The manager says, “Well, Ms. Valenti is normally booked solid two years in advance, but she just happens to have an hour free that afternoon.  For Ms. Valenti’s one-hour appearance, the fee is $5,000.”  This is just what you will pay to have Dina walk in the door.

“Do you want her to sing her signature hit, ‘Springtime in Roma?’  If so, that’s an extra thousand dollars.  She might also be willing to sing one more song, in which case, that’s an extra thousand.  Of course, her band will come with her.  That’s a thousand dollars per member.”

“If your guests want to be photographed with Ms. Valenti and receive autographs, that will be another thousand.”

You agree to all of this.  Not specified is the fact that Ms. Valenti will:

Be glamorously dressed and groomed, so that everyone knows a true celebrity is in their midst. Be gracious and friendly, make everyone feel that they are her best friend.  She will circulate among the guests, make conversation, tell funny stories and flirt a little with Dad. Dance with some of the guests.

She will not serve food, though she might refill someone’s drink, just to show how nice and polite she is.  She will leave promptly after an hour, waving, smiling and throwing kisses, leaving all her guests with a warm, fuzzy feeling.

Anyone can do these things, really.  You could invite a lady from your church for far less money, but Dina Valenti at your party will have people talking about it (and you) for years to come.

This is what a geisha typically does.  The top geishas are in demand because they have an array of talents, such as music, art, conversation, storytelling and dance. They have experience in the social graces, being able to smooth out the most awkward situations without showing signs of stress.  And although all the attention at a party may be on them, they demonstrate a humble attitude that makes people feel that they are as special as she is. 

A geisha is not the hostess of a party - she is a “special guest.”  The okiya is analogous to a Broadway star’s dressing room – it is her home base, where she eats, sleeps, bathes, arranges her makeup, hair and costume, and conducts everyday business.  When she is ready to go to work, she leaves the okiya and goes onstage at the teahouse or other venue where she has been requested to entertain for a fee that is determined by her manager. 

What about the sexual aspect?  Returning to the hypothetical Dina Valenti, she may have been married six times and be known as a lady with few inhibitions – but no one is going to casually proposition her.  However, someone might have such a crush on her and approach her in such a way that she is willing to say yes.  There might be a “price” involved, either monetary or something else, but most likely certain conditions will be stipulated.  The media is not to know, for example; the location will be discreet, there are certain things Ms. Valenti will and will not agree to do, etc.  This type of agreement is far less formal in our society, but of course, it happens.  In the world of the geisha, the scenario isn’t all that different, but like the geisha’s appearance at the party, it is arranged through the manager.  Because of the geisha’s celebrity status, no man is going to take undue advantage.  He will know what the geisha is willing to do and will not overstep this boundary.  And some geishas’ prices are impossibly high because they have an understanding with a danna or patron and do not want to be involved with more than one man.

Like many situations we take for granted, it is, at heart, all about the money.   But a geisha is an entertainer, not a prostitute.  She has completed years of training and apprenticeship and is part of a tradition going back centuries.