Geisha 3, Gion Kyoto 京都市の祇園区の芸者です

In a floating Dream
The river keeps passing by
Pausing on a bridge

漂う夢の中
川が通って続ける
橋で待ている

So I left a few unanswered questions on my previous posts. I want to wrap up my posts on Geisha as best I can. I may re-visit them in the future, but before I move on I want to hit a few more topics.

I think in my previous post I mentioned that Kyoto Geisha have made themselves synonymous with Kyoto. When someone thinks of Kyoto, the image of a Geisha comes to mind and the names Gion and Pontocho all come to mind.

As can be imagined Geisha from different locations in Japan all have different standards, practices, and living arrangements. For instance, Tokyo Geisha will live in their own apartments and commute to their place of work every day. Kyoto Geisha however, continue to live in homes with their fellow Geisha.

Kyoto Geisha tend to have a very formal hierarchy with the pinnacle being the Okaasan or Mother of the house. Traditionally Geisha would grow up in the house and learn the music, songs, dance, and etiquette from a very early age. Geisha could be sold into the house, but more commonly were born into the home.

In more recent years the pool of candidates is quite smaller than before. The even rise of economic wealth in Japan has made the trade of Geisha less enticing (necessary) to the average prospect. Geisha of Kyoto (Pontocho specifically) have several years of apprenticeship (as a Maiko) followed by their initiation as Geisha. There is no formal expectation that the prospect will remain following the apprenticeship. The former practice of 12 year olds beginning their training as servants has been replaced by Geisha houses wooing 17 year olds into the trade. Oftentimes using high profile events with celebrities as selling point, pg45.

Geisha Communities which had once thrived have decreased as Japanese Society has changed. Osaka's practicing Geisha population is set at a few dozen women. In Kyoto the estimated numbers are 80 Maiko and 200 Geisha, pg xix. Each Geisha district in Kyoto attempts to attract prospective Maiko with its own special 'flavor', Dance, music, etc. pg xxi. The prospects may come from all over Japan, even e-mailing the Okaasan directly, xxi. Nowadays, Meiko may sign up for a year's apprenticeship and then decide to stay, making the commitment to become a Geisha, "A girl does not need to feel she is signing up for the rest of her working life." (xxii.)

One attraction that the Geisha world offers prospective Maiko is the training in refined social interaction. Some women specifically seek out the training looking for the opportunity to add the experience to a resume.

Still however, it is a serious commitment. Young women are expected to live in communal houses, giving up their privacy. Wear their own hair in traditional (and uncomfortable) styles. Sleep on wooden pillows, and wear a 40+ lb Kimono worth over $20,000 on a regular basis, xxi. Among other things is the competitive nature of the job along with the string of long nights going from party to party just to do it again tomorrow.

Today there are Geisha communities throughout Japan. The most famous are Tokyo (shimbasha and Akasaka), Kyoto (Gion, Pontocho, Kamishichiken,) , Osaka, and Atami. Atami is a hot-spring town. As a result it's Geisha tend to perform regularly for the more average customer. The Atami Geisha work in accord with local hotels and establishments for the constant stream of customers. As a result Atami Geisha have a reputation as being lesser among the Geisha of Japan. Maybe they don't have the training or refinement of the more traditional areas of Kyoto.

Geisha of the past might hope to find a patron to support her. Geisha of today's economy are not so lucky to have patrons who can both afford a wife and family as well as a Geisha on 'retainer'. Also in the past, businesses would have accounts to fund parties with Geisha houses. Often for clients but for employees as well. With the tightening of belts in the modern economy and oversight on spending these sources of income are / have dried up. A Geisha then may look towards running / owner her own home or bar as a final source of income to retire on. It is still the practice that the 'Mother' of the house will pass the house on to her most respected 'daughter'.

From reading Liza Dalby's Geisha, it is apparent that a Maiko / Geisha can still anticipate a lucrative career if they work hard. For anyone even remotely interested in learning more about Geisha I strongly recommend reading Liza Dalby's book. And naturally, persons with an interest should definitely experience it first hand in Kyoto during March, even if all the closer you get in having a Geisha pass you on the street. It is well worth the trip.

Here are quick links to my other posts on Kyoto's Geisha
Post 1
Post 2
Also here is the original post on Maiko in Gion, (Which includes one of my favorite photos).
Maiko 1

Look at the Amazon Page on 'Geisha' here.

Citations from;

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



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