WHAT ARE GEISHA?
There are many misconceptions over what a geisha truly is and dose. A geisha is a highly skilled performing artist. They are not and never have bean prostitutes.
Geisha (芸者), Geiko (芸子) or Geigi (芸妓) are traditional Japanese entertainers,
all meaning "artist" in Japanese. Geisha are skilled performers of Japanese dance, singing, playing instruments such as the Shamisen, wearing kimono, tea ceremony and conversation.
Apprentice geisha are called Maiko (舞子 or 舞妓), literally "dance child") or Hangyoku (半玉), "half-jewel" (meaning that they are paid half the wage of a full geisha), or by the more generic term O-shaku (御酌), literally "one who pours (alcohol)"
The first geisha where men called Houkan (幇間), or Taikomochi (太鼓持), meaning “jester”. They served as entertainers to the Samurai warlords and at high class courtesan’s parties. There is only five or six Taikomochi left in Japan today.
BECOMING A GEISHA
The prospective trainee must first find an okiya, or geisha house, that is willing to take her. Other geisha and maiko are their "family"; and they are quite close to each other.
The trainee must pass an interview with the Okasan, or geisha mother. Although the number of girls applying to become geisha is declining, okiyas will not take anyone who comes through the door. The investment of money in a geisha's training and outfitting is substantial, and they want to be sure she will be able to complete the rigorous training.
She will begin a training program as a shikomi that usually lasts about a year. During this time, she will be trained in how to play the shamisen (a five-stringed instrument), the bamboo flute, drums and Japanese dance. She will also be expected to help with the chores and learn social skills.
She will start to accompany the geisha on appointments. She will wear a kimono similar to the geisha, but her hairstyle and makeup will be much more elaborate. While the geisha work she will be expected to assist them in entertaining customers. She will also be getting on-the-job training in social skills and conversation. This is called learning by observing or minarai. This period only lasts a copal of months after witch she will be a maiko or apprentice for the next four to five years.
After she has completed her five years as a maiko she is promoted to a full-fledged geisha in a ceremony called erikae (turning of the collar).
Her kimono, makeup and hairstyle will become more subdued. She will stop having her hair done up and start to where a katsura wig. The sleeves on her kimono will be much shorter and after the age of 30 she will only where her iconic white face paint for public performances or special request. She now charges full price for her time. She will remain a geisha and continue her training in the arts until she retires
THE DIFFERENCE BERWEEN A GEISHA AND A MAIKO
Hairstyle:
Maiko
Maiko have their natural hair done in various traditional styles according to what period of training they are going through.
There hair ornaments, or kanzashi as they are called, will be made of silk flowers that correspond with the current season and month.
For a more in depth look at the various maiko hair styles follow the link.
Geisha
Geisha wear katsura wigs in the Shimada-mage style until they turn thirty. After which they only don them for performances, customer request or special occasions, such as new years.
Her kanzashi will be far simpler then a maiko only a few hair pins and a comb made of tortes shell, coral, jade, metal or even plastic.
Make Up:
Maiko
A maiko will paint her whole face and neck white leaving a small line of bare skin around their hairline and a prong shape of bare skin at the nape of the neck. A large amount of blush is used around the eyes. She will also line her eyes with red and partially paint her bottom lip in during her first year as a maiko.
Geisha
She too will paint her face and neck white leaving a bear set of prongs on her nape. Her blush will be more subtle and she will paint both her lips almost fully. Once she is thirty she will only paint her face and neck for performances or on request.
Kimono:
Maiko
She will wear a bright but tasteful kimono for young ladies called a furisode (meaning long swinging sleeves)
Geisha
A geisha’s kimono will be a more subdued with shorter sleeves showing that she is an adult.
Obi:
Maiko
A maiko will where her obi hanging down in two tails from the shoulder blazed to the back of the ankles. This style is called darari.
Geisha
Her obi will be shorter and most likely tied up in the stereotypical box knot.
Collar:
Maiko
She will where a collar on her under kimono that starts off predominately red with only a small portion of gold, silver and white embroidery that will gradually increase as she makes her way throw the ranks till she turns her collar and becomes a geisha.
Geisha
A Geisha wears a simple white cotton collar for the rest of her career.
Foot Where:
Maiko
Maiko where high wooden clogs called okobo made of black lacquered wood in summer and plain wood the rest of the year.
Geisha
Geisha will where zori sandals or geta in wet whether.
Links and Resources
Wonderfully informative post. Thanks for sharing the info.
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