In the recent popular films and books that depict the life of the Japanese geisha, it’s easy to develop misconceptions on the primary role of these exquisite artisans. Throughout the history of geisha in Japan, they are often trained to be secretive and to remain anonymous, so little is known about the existence of everyday geisha.

This secretiveness has led to many misconceptions about the role of geisha and what they specifically do. The history of the geisha has also been one consisting of much evolvement, which is also another reason for the many misconceptions surround the life of the Japanese geisha.

Geisha translates to “art-person”. The geisha’s primary function is to entertain and they do this by using art and painting, dance, music and the ability to hold a conversation with the opposite sex. They are most recognizeable by their painted faces, ruby red lips and a glossy coiffure wig adorned with loops and jewelery embellishments. They provide flirtatious conversation while at the same time remain submissive and exotic.

GEISHA ARE PROSTITUTES

The largest misconception of the role of a geisha is that they are glorified prostitutes. There are a few reasons why this is a commons misconception.

The first reason is that when the first group of geisha’s began trading in Japan in the 1700’s, they began in the red-light district. Joining the ranks of the many prostitutes located in the district, the geisha offered more in the way of music, dance and further conversation. Separating from the common red light district, the geisha soon became a profession in it’s own right and became an elite group.

Another misconception may have arisen after World War 2 when Japan was occupied by soldiers from the United States and Australia. The prostitutes often called themselves geisha to appear more exotic to the soldiers. The soldiers then returned home telling all and sundry about the beautiful “geisha girls” who were in reality common prostitutes.

There exists another reason why a geisha may be thought to be a prostitute and this is because many young virgins were “de-flowered” by men at a high price. This practice was known as “mizuage”.

Young geisha girls were often accepted into the house from a young age. When they were in training in all manners of becoming a geisha, the offer of their virginity called for a large sum if a gentleman was to pay it. Even when this was done, they were not obliged to have sexual relations with the man.

GEISHA WERE STOLEN FROM THEIR FAMILIES

During the years 1900 to 1945 in Imperial Japan, it was very common for poor families to sell their daughters into prostitution and give their sons to monasteries, it was preferred to find a home in a geisha house for your daughter.

Instead of becoming an unknown prostitute they would then service the house by cleaning and cooking and hopefully become a successful geisha after their training had finished.

The life of a geisha was preferred as they were thought to be elegant in their finery and trained to become worshipped females. This misconception is one that paints the geisha as one who was a victim of society and family pressures.

Modern geisha are now required to complete their formal schooling before they can apply to enter training for geisha. They must also have a love and interest of the arts and provide the tea house with written consent from their parents.

LIFE OF A GEISHA IS EASY

We often see the end results of the training one has had to endure inorder to become a geisha. Film often depicts the women adorned in the finery and singing opera on stage, fame and recognition found for them everywhere.

But the reality of the life of a geisha and the training it requires is immensely difficult. From the moment they wake to when they go to bed revolves around classes on art, music and instruments and how a geisha is to conduct herself. Besides the schooling, there are also many chores that need to be completed in the house.

Service is often given in exchange for food, bedding and the cost of tuition. Later a sum will be withheld to cover the same costs and those of kimono, makeup and the use of the home as lodgings.

GEISHA ARE NOT LIBERATATED FEMALES

The submissive demeanour that is a requirement of a geisha to entertain and the life in which they lead is thought to be one that makes them unliberated when it comes to the role of the female. Their submissiveness and secretiveness can be misconstrued as unintelligence and a slave like feature to pleasing males.

To understand the concept of the geisha and the role they play you also need to look at Japanese culture as a whole. Japanese people are harmonious and reserved by nature and they’re taught from a young age about living and working harmoniously.

The role of women throughout Japanese history was one where they provided for the home and sexual relations were only for procreation. The geisha on the other hand had much more freedom than a general wife, having the ability to flirt and talk with her client but at the same time provide a hostess function like a wife.

The modern geisha is as worldly as any female, they shop and travel, they surf the Internet and can be very well read. A geisha needs worldly knowledge in order to entertain her clients and to be able to conversate with him.

In the Western world a geisha is often thought to inhibiting the role of equality amongst the sexes in Japan.

GEISHA ARE FOUND ANYWHERE IN JAPAN

It is true that an evening spent with a geisha to entertain and considering the food and alcohol costs, the evening can be expensive. Usually a gentleman who wishes to hire a geisha for entertainment will need contacts to locate the service for him.

Remaining true to their secretive nature, the geisha in Japan are often difficult to locate if you intend to honor the culture of geisha. There are specific restaurants that cater especially for such an evening.

Although wealthy businessmen from Western cultures still partake in an evening with a geisha, the tradition of these artisans is slowly declining.

ALL GEISHA ARE THE SAME

The most recognizeable feature of a geisha is the makeup in which they wear. Depending on age, training and rank the makeup actually differs to distinguish the ranks and experience amongst geisha.

A trainee geisha, or maiko as they’re called often do not have wigs. Their own hair is often styled in traditional ways that tell of their rank within the house.
A maiko will also paint her face white but leave a small patch near the top of her hairline that is unpainted. You will also encounter blush applied to her cheeks and the presence of red paint to her eyebrows and eyes. A maiko’s lips will only be painted slightly and will not have the full red lips as seen with fully trained geisha.

There are also discernible differences in clothing between the ranks of the geisha.
A maiko kimono will be one that is quite loud and colorful whereas the senior geisha will have a solid color. The sleeves of the kimono will hang down and the cuffs will be wide, whereas the geisha will have shorter sleeves.
The collar worn by a maiko is also one that includes color and a senior geisha wears an all white collar.

The geisha were a revered group who were trained in the arts and the ability to entertain men from a distance. Many misconceptions have arisen about this select and secretive group of people, usually caused by the nature of the Geisha and the Japanese culture in general. There are only six houses that are proficient in the training of geisha that exist today in Tokyo, very different from the major popularity of geisha in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Trained to be reserved and secretive you will rarely find the true secrets of the geisha spoken about.

Modern geisha in Japan are now trying to enlighten visitors to the wonder and talent of the geisha, possibly cashing in on the recent interest created by books and movies on the life of the geisha. You will locate many displays that feature the arts the geisha perform but withhold the duties as hostesses. Lowering the veil of secrecy in the geisha world continues to keep this tradition alive.

References:

www.japaneselifestyle.com.au
www.bellaonline.com
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/06/20/PKGBF74BU61.DTL
http://www.sofieloafy.net/G_Etc.htm