Memoirs of a Geisha - About Geisha

About Geisha

The word Geisha means "artist" in Japanese. The Japanese character gei means "of the arts" and the character sha means "person". That means geisha in writing means "a person of the arts".

The word geisha is either singular or plural since there is no plural in the Japanese language. Geisha first appeared in the early 1600. Although, some say geisha form of art stared as early as seventh century.

Refinement and grace is the life of geisha. They are locked away from the outside everyday life. Geisha live in secrecy, making their living in dark back street and hidden tea houses. They are cut off from their family ties and they vow to never marry. They live by the code of secrecy. They live truly exquisite life just like supermodels do today. Geisha is the most private and revered tradition of Japan. Geisha have become the symbol of Japan.

What is a geisha?

Geisha are artists and entertainers. Geisha are women for hire to keep a man or group of men company in the evening. Geisha sacrifice love for art. They must excel in traditional Japanese dance, singing, music, and literature. Although geisha are work of art, they are rented by the hour. A company of geisha could cost up to $500 an hour. Geisha are sometimes confused with courtesans, as they are mistook in many places. However, traditional Japanese geisha are no courtesans. They sometimes have affairs with their customers but they pride themselves in earning a living using their art, singing, dance, and literature skills, not prostitution.

Geisha are skilled artists

Geisha are professional artists. Years of training (5 years of geisha training) prepares geisha to show beauty, grace, talent in music, singing, dancing, playing Japanese instruments such as the Shamisan, flower arrangement, tea ceremony, calligraphy, literature, and serving alcohol to customers with elegance.

Japanese Kimono

Japanese Samurai