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 The
word Geisha is derived from ‘Gei’, which in Japanese means
performance or entertainer, and ‘sha’, which means person,
and dates back 400 years ago to the 'Edo' period. During this
time the Geisha entertained at banquets and social gatherings
by playing a Japanese guitar (called a Shamisen), and singing
and giving dance performances.
There is often a
misconception by some that Geisha's are prostitutes, but
nothing could be further from the truth. Geisha are refined
and cultured girls and women who are highly trained in a
variety of traditional skills. Besides playing the Shamisen,
singing and dancing, the Geisha perform the Japanese tea
ceremony, and are well versed in the art of conversation. Many
learn to speak English in order to entertain Western guests.
The training
involved in becoming a Geisha is very rigorous, and because of
this the numbers of Geisha are declining. Few young women in
today's society are willing to devote themselves to such
demanding training. To become a Geisha, if accepted, a young
girl must go through an apprenticeship that involves living
with a head Geisha. This training period takes five to six
years. During this time, the Geisha trainee must help with the
chores and the running of the house, learn customs and social
skills, and take music and dance lessons. After about six
months, the trainee Geisha is called a maiko girl, and
accompanies a Geisha on her appointments in order to become
acquainted with customers. At about age 20, the maiko must
make the decision to become a full-fledged Geisha or not. If a
girl wishes to marry she cannot become a Geisha.
Geishas often
live near temples and shrines, in areas are called hana-machi.
Geishas entertain visitors at teahouses called o-chaya that
are located near these areas. The o-chaya is not a shop that
serves only tea or coffee, but rather a sort of banquet hall
where rooms can be rented for dinner parties. It is usually a
small Japanese style house with tatami (wooden) floors and
Japanese style gardens. O-chayas are often where young Geishas
live and work.
Today in Japanese
hotels and restaurants Geisha entertain at banquets and
socialize with guests. If you are staying at a hotel in Japan,
you can arrange for a Geisha to attend a dinner party through
the reservation desk. When you request a Geisha, it is
important to be specific about what type of performance you
want, because there are two different types of Geisha. One
called 'tchikata' is usually a maiko girl and performs the
traditional Japanese dance, and the other; usually an older
Geisha is called 'jikata' and sings and plays an instrument.
The costs for the services of a Geisha vary depending on the
number the food, beverages, and the entertainment. The role of
the Geisha in Japanese society is a source of much curiosity
for tourists. To tap into that curiosity, visitors can go to
shops where they can dress in traditional Geisha Kimonos, have
Geisha make up applied and then have a souvenir photo taken.
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