by Shannon Gee

Created on: March 27, 2006   Last Updated: September 17, 2009

Geishas have undergone some changes over the years, but literally geisha traditionally meant a woman of the arts. Trained in different "apprenticeship" levels (including Meiko) the Geisha learned to play traditional Japanese music on traditional Japanese instruments. They learned traditional Japanese dance, and social etiquette. They learned how to boost a man's confidence, flirt discreetly, and make their dinner companion feel very valued. And best yet, Geishas knew how to keep a man's secrets.

In the US we sometimes mistakenly think of Geishas as concubines or worse still-prostitutes. The rich tradition of Geisha did struggle with these issues, and there are still some groups that claim to be Geisha (or close enough in the pronunciation that Westerners don't know the difference until the clothing starts coming off) that aren't truly.

Generally though, if you wanted to be a Geisha, you were not a prostitute. Often sexual relations between Geishas and clients were very much frowned upon as Geishas were intended to represent the highest qualities of Japanese culture.

Some Geishas did leave their "houses" (sorority-like learning environments) and strike out on their own. Some married powerful men (the men enjoying the fact that a Geisha understood when NOT to talk and so they were not at risk diplomatically). Some powerful men became Geisha's lovers and providers (liking the separation of wife and Geisha). Even today some Geishas are high-ranking men's consorts, and in Japan it is viewed as a great honor in most cases (the men's wives not seeing it as offensive generally, but seeing it as a reassurance that the man they chose to marry is very valuable).

Businessmen traditionally enjoy the entertainment of a Geisha or two at business dinners and during "time with the boys." This however, is a struggling tradition as Geisha are being viewed more as a quaint way of the Japanese past and younger men do not see them as a necessary or valued part of companionship.

A nice site through which to further explore the Geisha traditiona and its evolution is: http://www.immortalgeisha.com/ They have many old pictures galleried and some FAQ sections that may help with other questions you might have.

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