Japanese Geisha

When it comes to Japanese geisha, I am afraid that nine out of ten people have misunderstandings about this industry. The first misunderstanding is: when people hear geisha, they intuitively think of women. But in Tokyo and Osaka in the 17th century when geisha first appeared, all geisha were men. They made a living playing traditional drums and rapping in brothels and entertainment venues. It was not until around the 1850s that the profession of geisha was gradually replaced by women, and it has continued to this day. In traditional Chinese, the word "prostitute" can mean both a female art performer and a female sex worker. The "prostitute" in geisha refers to the former. Because geisha are artistic performers in principle and do not engage in sex trade. However, in modern Chinese, people often directly associate the word "prostitute" with the sex trade, so there is a modern Chinese translation of "geisha" for the purpose of avoiding taboos.

So what is the second misunderstanding? In traditional Chinese, the word "prostitute" can mean both a female art performer and a female sex worker. The "prostitute" in geisha refers to the former. Because geisha are artistic performers in principle and do not engage in sex trade. However, in modern Chinese, people often directly associate the word "prostitute" with the sex trade, so there is a modern Chinese translation of "geisha" for the purpose of avoiding taboos.

Since women replaced men as geishas, ??geishas not only performed dances, musical instruments and music at banquets, but also served meals for guests. Although their work satisfies men's pleasure and possessive desires, they usually deal with wealthy and powerful men from the upper class. When geisha attend a banquet, there will usually be a male servant carrying a shamisen piano case to wait on them. The purpose of this is not only to help the geisha who are dressed up and inconvenient to move with trivial matters, but also to protect the safety of the geisha. , to prevent them from being harassed by drunken customers or deceivers.

? In the past, geishas could not get married during their career. If this happened, they had to retire first, so as to maintain the pure image of geishas. Until modern times, this custom has been abolished in order for geisha to live a normal life. But even so, most geisha still choose to stick to tradition and leave the geisha industry after marriage, but there are also a few who return to the geisha industry after divorce.

In terms of performance classification, geisha can be divided into two types: "cubic" and "local". Among them, "cubic" refers to performers who mainly dance, and "place" refers to performers who mainly sing and play musical instruments. Since "local" performances are relatively difficult, most "local" performances are performed by senior geishas, ??while "cubic" performances are performed by some junior geishas. What is surprising is that in addition to performing songs, dances and musical instruments, many geishas have received special training in speaking. They can also chat with guests after performing, making the atmosphere more harmonious.

? "Geisha" also has different titles in different regions. In Tokyo and other Kanto areas, they are called "Yunji", and the trainee geisha who have just entered the geisha industry are called "Hanyu". In the Kansai region such as Kyoto and Osaka, they are called "geiko", and during the apprenticeship stage they are called "maiko".

When everyone travels to Japan, you must go and watch an authentic Japanese geisha performance!