The inside world of a Geisha

 Geisha

• The way the Geisha practice their arts has been a secret until the early 2000's when author Arthur Golden wrote his novel "Memoires of a Geisha"
• They are not entirely prostitutes as some might think; "Geisha" means art in Japanese and to become a Geisha one must endure a series of years of intense studies from the art of make-up, dancing, music and literature to the tea ceremonies that take place in typical Japanese banquets. 
• They undertake lessons on how to be of a good company to men. This does not mean that they are required to sleep with their customers; merely entertain them by dance and actual companionship.

• A Geisha represents elegance and beauty. Their Kimonos are their most prized possessions, which are very expensive and are worn according to season. The Maiko (the Geisha in-training) has a different style than that of her older sister, the Geiko (aka Geisha). The Maiko has to wear a lot of layers of bright coloured Kimonos with long sleeves. Their darari obi is very long and thick, this gives her a child-like appearance. She also has to wear Okobo (which are more like clogs than sandals). In their hair they wear fancy Kanzashi. Their make-up consists of white Bintsuke-abura but they leave a small layer of their skin still showing around their face and nape. This enhances the mask-like effect and also creates a sense of revealing nudity. 
• The proper Geisha, or Geiko, on the other hand wear much simpler kimonos with a distinctive plain white collar underneath. Their Drum changes to a Taiko Musubi, which is like a small box at their back. The purpose of this is so that they have back support when they would be seated. Their sleeves are much shorter and they now wear the Zori (sandals.) Their hair is also much simpler and they don't carry much adornment. 

revealing the skin upon the nape

Geiko Geisha

Maiko Geisha

• But like many of Japanese culture, the Geisha are dying out. The younger men pre-fare the company of hostesses or normal women. But their mysterious culture of rituals and silence still finds its way to intrigue the outside Western world. So will the Geisha become extinct? Or will her beautiful culture live on? 

Sources:


Discover Japan, 2013. The secret lives of Geisha [Part 1]  [video online] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjhBEgwFP2M> [Accessed 18th May 2014].