There a student lives at the home of a master of one of the traditional arts, starting out doing general housework, observing and assisting the master. She eventually moves up to become a master in her own right . This training often lasts for many years. The course of study traditionally starts from a young age and encompasses a wide variety of the arts, including Japanese musical instruments (particularly the shamisen, similar to a guitar) and traditional forms of singing, dance, tea ceremonies, flower arranging known as ikebana, poetry and literature.
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Each Geisha is normally a master of one art form. By watching and assisting a senior geisha, they became skilled in the complex traditions surrounding selecting, matching, wearing the precious kimono, participation in various games, the art of conversation, and also in dealing with clients. (Graham, “Immortal geisha”, web) Once a woman became a Maiko (apprentice geisha) she would begin to accompany a senior geisha to the tea houses, parties and banquets that constitute a geisha’s work environment. To some extent this traditional method of training persists, though it is of necessity abbreviation.
Modern geisha are no longer bought by or brought into geisha houses as children. Becoming a geisha is now entirely voluntary. Most geisha now begin their training in their late teens. Geisha were very common in the 18th and 19th centuries, and are still in existence today, although their numbers are dwindling. “Geisha,” is the most familiar term in English speaking countries, and the most commonly used within Japan as well. But in the Kansai region the terms geigi and, for apprentice geisha, “Maiko” have also been used since the Meiji Restoration.
The term Maiko is only used in the Kyoto districts. The English pronunciation (“gee-sha” not the Japanese way of “gay-sha”) or the phrase “geisha girl,” common during the American occupation of Japan, carries connotations of prostitution. In that period some young women, desperate for money and calling themselves “geisha,” sold themselves to troops. (Graham, “Immortal geisha”, web) Geisha are dressed in a kimono and their faces are painted very pale, a custom that was design to highlight her features in candlelight.
As a tourist, you may be able to spot a maiko in some districts of Kyoto, such as Gion and Pontocho or in Kanazawa’s Higashi Geisha District. All new Maiko’s are front page news in these areas. The first known geisha was indeed a courtesan named Kako. Over time, she discovered that she had no need to engage in prostitution within the red-light district. Kako directly or indirectly created many schools of Japanese art related to the Geisha. She called herself a geisha (“arts-person”) and confined herself to giving artistic performances. (Iwasaki, Geisha…)
Occasionally a geisha may choose to take a Danna (an old fashioned word for husband), typically a wealthy man who has the means to support a geisha mistress. Many marriages in Japan still have nothing to with love and are arranged by the families of both the husband and wife. Many wives have full knowledge of their husbands Geisha, with some wives participating in Geisha ceremonies (like a Maiko becoming a full Geisha) with both her husband and his Geisha. Wives are always treated with the utmost respect while in the presents of a Geisha.
Although a geisha may fall in love with her Danna, the affair is customarily contingent upon his ability to financially support the geisha’s lifestyle. Many Danna’s and Geisha do marry but only after the Geisha retires. The traditional conventions and values within such a relationship are intricate and not well understood, even by many Japanese. Because of this, the true intimate role of the geisha remains the object of much speculation and misinterpretation, in Japan as well as abroad. (Iwasaki, Geisha…) In Japan, Geisha are treated more like rock stars, with an air of mystery.
Understanding the true nature of the geisha increases their mystery and appeal. Any man, Japanese and gaijin (non-Japanese), fortunate enough to spend time with a geisha is spending time with a living icon, a living fantasy in dressed bright colors. Typically common knowledge states a western prostitute or hooker is a woman that sells sex. Although this profession has been around for centuries, there is no art or grace needed in this profession, just the primal act. In most states this is an illegal profession, where woman and girls are mistreated or looked down upon by the rest of society.
A hooker has to be found on the street. However, for this paper I will use Nevada’s legal prostitutes for comparison. In the state of Nevada it is a legal profession, in all but two counties, Clark County (think City of Las Vegas) and Washoe County (think City of Reno). In Nevada prostitutes live in a large house known as a brothel, similar to a hotel often referred to as ranches. These include “The Bunny Ranch” and “The Mustang Ranch,” among the large brothels in Nevada located outside of Reno. However, the Mustang Ranch was closed temporally for tax evasion.
These houses of ill repute contain many rooms, one girl to a room. In addition they have customer areas including a bar, dining area, and a large living room or lounge. In Nevada brothels customers are buzzed in through a gate. Once inside, customers chose a woman (she does not choose him) from a lineup in a lobby or he can select from a menu. Prices and services are negotiated in the woman’s room while the Madam (the boss) listens via a hidden speaker in each room. Typical prices ranged from $100 to $1500 plus tips. Some women, who perform bizarre acts, can get up to $10,000 for a party.
The house receives half of the fee the women charge (Mahalo, “Mustang Ranch”) While working at the ranch the prostitutes normally work 6 to 9 week period, commonly referred to as “tours. ” During that time they work 12 hours a day. In the course of a tour the girls are not allowed to leave the property. This is for their safety and well as the communities located near the ranch. Family visitations are not permitted while doing a tour but prostitutes are normally allowed to phone once or twice a week depending on the ranch rules.
Clothes, makeup, or anything else needed is brought to the ranch by outside vendors for purchase by the working girls. Each girl is issued a working card by the local sheriff and is seen regularly by a doctor at the ranch to check for disease. In Nevada, were I spent a lengthy amount of time growing up, this is common knowledge. There is a great deal of difference between the Geisha and a call girl of the West, no matter how high priced. •The geisha is not for hire; rather the geisha is an artist. They are trained to entertain guests through many of the traditional Japanese arts.
These include ancient dance, singing, playing the shamisen (a stringed Japanese instrument), the correct wearing of the kimono, tea ceremonies, calligraphy, conversation, and alcohol presentation. •She is not for show to others but a companion for her client. •She is never a gift passed around like a party favor to visiting VIPs. Her life is not dangerous or deadly. •She is not on call to the highest bidder; neither does she accept just anyone as a client. You can’t just get off the plane and drop into an o-chaya (geisha accommodations) for a party.
To enter an o-chaya you need to be referred by a present client as well as be instructed in proper decorum and dress before entering this sacred aspect of traditional Japanese society. Arriving intoxicated is forbidden. •Prostitutes are sex for hire, there is no art or formal training. •Many prostitutes/call girls are arm candy to be displayed. •Prostitutes have been given as gifts. She does go to the highest bidder while being open to any and all clients. •A prostitutes’ line of work is highly dangerous, many times deadly, even while working on in a ranch. Geisha is an artist of the floating world. She dances. She sings. She entertains you. The rest is shadows. The rest is secret. ~ Quote from the movie Memoirs of a Geisha ~Being a hooker does not mean being evil. The same with a pick-pocket, or even a thief. You do what you do out of necessity. ~ Quote by Samuel Fuller The Works Cited Page Iwasaki, Mineko. Geisha: A Life. New York: ATRIA Books, 2002. Graham (Diaz), Naomi. “Immortal geisha”. 4/20/2010 http://www. immortalgeisha. com/faq_geisha. php Mahalo. com Incorporated, “Mustang Ranch”. 4/20/2010 . “Nevada Brothels”. 4/20/2010 .
