10 Mind-Blowing Facts about Geishas in Japan
Geishas at Gion, Kyoto ( 28
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1. There are still geishas in Japan.
Although the profession of geishas has been declined gradually after the world war Ⅱ, there are girls get into the business today. Particularly, there are 100-200 geishas in Gion district, the famous geisha district in Kyoto. It is still an eye-catching cultural postcard of Japan, appealing to tourists from the world.2. A geisha is NOT the courtesan.
Geishas, both geiko (official geishas) and maiko (geisha trainees), are performers in Japan. They give their performances of traditional dances, singing and musical instruments at parties and banquets as they are invited, let alone the performances at ochaya and theaters. They would serve the dishes and play simple games with guests by far, to lighten the atmosphere but not to coquet. A geisha is the performing artist merely, never offer a sexual service.3. A geisha can’t get married unless she retires.
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Geisha into an Ochaya
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4. Geishas live in the okiya.
Okiya is the traditional houses for geishas to live. You may construe it as the lodging apartment for them. Especially for probationary maiko, they live together and go for their training every day. If a maiko finishes her training and becomes a formal geisha after the mizuage ceremony, she is allowed to move out and live alone.5. Rumors: The white face was to find them in the dark.
Geishas would paint their face white, which is a special appearance of them. It’s rumored that, it was easy to find them in the dark as no electric lamp but candles was introduced into Japan before the 20th century. It is just a joke. Actually, such an appearance, white face together with red eye shadows & red lips, make the ladies more enchanting in accordance with Japanese traditional appreciation of beauty.|
Makeup of Geisha: the White Face
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6. Distinct differences between geiko and maiko
Don’t be confused to tell geiko (formal geishas) apart from maiko (geisha trainees). There are too many differences to distinguish them. Although the differentiation gets smaller at the present day, there is still a complicated system to dictate their makeup, dressing, as well as other aspects.Most obviously, younger maiko are often gorgeously dressed with showy kanzashi (traditional hairpins), red eri (collars) of their kimono, and obi (broad sash/belt) in darari style, which is hung down at the back with larger buckles in front. Comparatively, the dressing of geiko would be simpler and more elegant. They prefer to less ornaments on their hair, and they wear kimono with white eri. Their obi is knotted in taiko musubi style, tied up at the back and looked short. What’s more, the shoe sole of maiko’s geta is much thicker than geiko’s.
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7. Geishas wear wig nowadays.
The retro hairstyle is really hard to handle of geishas. In ancient times, they might not wash their hair and even didn’t touch the hair for several days. To 1950s, geishas discovered a great method to replace the troublesome work of combing, they wore wigs! Since then, geishas wear wigs frequently, and they don’t worry about messing up hair in their sleep any more. However, not all geishas wear a wig all the time, at least maiko are often asked to comb their own natural hairs.8. Long preparation before geishas on the stage
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Maiko's Performance
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9. Tourists can watch geisha performances.
As a protected cultural symbol of Japan especially Kyoto, geisha performances are available for tourists. Colorful cultural experience activities with geisha or maiko are popular, which bring oversea tourists into contact with geisha culture in person. Besides, the geisha performances in theaters are worth a watch likewise.
Read more about Geisha's Performances