Geisha 2, Gion Kyoto 京都市の祇園区の芸者です

Waiting patiently
For the blossoms to unfold
Tested by time

花を咲く
根気良く待つ
時の試験

So what is a Geisha? This is a complicated question and the complexity revolves around what was.... and what is now...Lets go back for a little history lesson. As discussed before Geisha were originally men, highly trained in the arts and especially dedicated to entertainment. By 1780 female geisha outnumbered the men, and by 1800 the term "Geisha" referred only to women, (56).

In Kyoto and other areas during the Edo period specific areas were designated 'entertainment districts.' These districts were regulated by the government. The predecessor to the Geisha was the Yujo. She would have been a more simple entertainer, with smaller repertoire. They were however hired with a specific routine in mind,...Sex. The Geisha of the licensed quarters were forbidden by law from sleeping with the customers of the Yujo. Geisha were recognized as a distinct profession in 1779 (57). With this distinction came regulation. Regulation including where they could sit in regards to their customers, how they could dress, and that they could not take business from the Yujo.(57) In 1957 legal prostitution (yujo) was abolished, however the Geisha profession was left, "untouched, indicating a basic sense that geisha -in some true or best sense of the word- are not prostitutes."(57)

The Western belief that Geisha are prostitutes can be tracked back to the US occupation of Japan following WWII. US Soldiers would easily confuse the similarities between Yujo and Geisha with being the same entities. "Memoirs of a Geisha" (Sayuri) does a good job showing this role confusion as Yujo and Geisha intermingle with servicemen looking for business. Also, since Western culture completely lacks the idea of Geisha it is easy to impose a quick reference from our own culture to Japanese. Of course, the closest profession we relate to Geisha are prostitutes. Western missionaries certainly contributed to this attitude as well.

This certainly isn't to say that Geisha didn't/don't relate to their 'customers' in an intimate relationship.... However, the difference is that unlike a prostitute or Yojo, the Geisha is in control of with whom they associate with.

So if Geisha aren't having sex with every customer, what do they do? Well, it's pretty simple really. A Geisha's job during a gathering is to provide the social lubrication (bad term maybe?) to allow everyone to have a good time. Geisha are masters of the social scene. From reading 'Geisha' I got the impression that Geisha must be experts at conversation. They must relate to a variety of customers. Their conversation, dance, songs, and sake, have to be able to take a businessman out of the 'real world' and into the 'willow world' (floating world). Then, without the actual lure of sex get them to come back again.... and spend the money for the favor! I say actual lure, yet I'm sure that the weapon of sexuality is wielded with little restraint. The book, "Chrysanthemum and the Sword," talks about this at length.

An interesting transition occurred in the Geisha world at the dawn of the 20'th century. Geisha had been seen as the leading edge of culture, beauty, and elegance. With the Meiji Revolution came western ideas of beauty and entertainment. Geisha had previously held the ability to be front runners of style and fashion it was always within the Japanese context. When hair styles, clothing styles, music, and entertainment all took on a Western hue Geisha experimented with the new ways. Yet, as the Geisha dabbled in the Western styles they came the the realization that, in trying to be modern, they were in danger of losing that which made them special as geisha."(74) So instead of being the fashion innovators, they became the guardians of tradition.

So, who can become a Geisha? Who is entertained by Geisha? How many Geisha are there? Where are they? All these questions and more in later posts.

Also, check out "As I see Japan..... from L.A." My associate Japanese Aficionado has a great post on Gion's Geisha. You may note that he refers to Geisha as Geiko. This is the Kyoto-ben term used for Geisha. I've foregone the use simply because Geisha is more widely recognized... and rolls of the keyboard a little more smoothly! However, technically speaking... My reference is incorrect! (Won't be the first time!) Check out his thread on Geiko here, enjoy some video clips and a Geiko's dance.

-This photo was taken during the Spring Cherry Festival dances in Gion. These dances consist of several traditional folk tales put to music and danced by Geisha and Maiko. There are numerous roles and many backgrounds dances. Liza Dalby points out the Gion Corner recruits high school girls to fill in roles where they don't have enough dancers.
-I was surprised that Japanese were videotaping the dances and taking photo's throughout the performance. Something you wouldn't expect at a professional show in the States. Naturally I couldn't resist and grabbed some video for myself.

References;
"Geisha"; Liza Dalby, 1983 2008; University of California Press

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