[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-30px||-30px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
When we hear the word geisha, images of women in kimonos, white faces, red lips and delicate movements come to mind. But what is a geisha really? What is its role in the culture of Japan? <\/p>\n
Geisha have for centuries been symbols of elegance, art, and tradition, but they have also been surrounded by myths and misunderstandings. In this article we are going to discover their true essence: what it means to be a geisha, how they are formed, what their social role is and how they survive today. <\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”History and evolution of geisha” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ title_font=”|600|||||||” title_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_heading title=”Origins in the Edo Era” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
The origin of geisha dates back to the Edo period (1603-1868), in entertainment districts called hanamachi. Interestingly, the first geisha were men who animated gatherings with music and poetry. Over time, women stood out more in this role and became the true protagonists. <\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”Transformations over time” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
For centuries, geisha were central figures in art, music, and dance. After World War II, their numbers declined dramatically, but they remained guardians of traditions such as the Japanese tea ceremony and the use of instruments such as the shamisen. Today they survive in traditional districts such as Gion, in Kyoto, where maikos and geikos can still be seen walking along cobblestone streets illuminated by lanterns. <\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”Training and training of a geisha” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ title_font=”|600|||||||” title_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_heading title=”Entrance to the okiya (geisha house)” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
A geisha’s path begins at the okiya (geisha house), where young women enter as apprentices. There they receive housing, education and clothing, in exchange for years of dedication. <\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”Traditional Arts Learning Process” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Future geisha study disciplines such as:<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”Initiation ceremonies: erikae and mizuage” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
An apprentice geisha is called a maiko. When she completes her training and becomes a full geisha, she performs the erikae (“neck change”), a ceremony in which she changes the style of her kimono and hairstyle. <\/p>\n
The term mizuage, which in the past referred to a rite of passage, has been the subject of controversy and misinterpretation. Currently, the important thing is the ceremony of the debut as a professional artist. <\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_cta title=”Immerse yourself in the elegance of traditional Japan” button_url=”https:\/\/dokidokijapan.com\/en\/living-in-japan\/” button_text=”Study with us and experience Japan from the inside” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h3″ header_font=”Fredoka One||||||||” body_font_size=”15px” background_color=”#0C71C3″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”18px” button_text_color=”#000000″ button_bg_color=”#FFFFFF” button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”25px” button_font=”|700|||||||” custom_margin=”||30px||false|false” border_radii=”on|20px|20px|20px|20px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Learning Japanese is not just memorizing words: it is discovering a world full of art, history and respect for culture.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_cta][et_pb_heading title=”Types of geisha” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ title_font=”|600|||||||” title_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_heading title=”Geiko” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
In Kyoto, geisha are called geiko, a term that highlights their role as “women of art.”<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”Maiko (apprentices)” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Maiko are young apprentices, recognizable by their more colorful kimonos, hairstyles adorned with kanzashi (accessories), and more striking makeup.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”Independent Geisha (jimae)” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
They are those who, once trained, decide to work independently, without depending on an okiya<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”Geisha in spa towns (onsen geisha)” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
In hot spring areas (onsen), there were geisha dedicated to cheering up visitors, although they have often been mistakenly confused with other types of entertainment.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”Social and Cultural Role of Geisha in Japan” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ title_font=”|600|||||||” title_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_heading title=”Preservation of traditional Japanese arts” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Geisha are guardians of cultural heritage: they keep alive dances, music, and rituals that would otherwise be lost.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”Role in Social Events and Entertainment” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Their main role is to liven up meetings in teahouses with music, dance and elegant conversation. They are not mass artists, but elite hostesses. <\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”Bridge between tradition and modernity” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Today, many geisha participate in public festivals in cities such as Kyoto or Tokyo, allowing tourists and locals to get up close and personal with this legacy.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”Geisha Dress and Appearance” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ title_font=”|600|||||||” title_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_heading title=”Kimonos: elegance and sophistication on different occasions” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
A geisha’s kimono is a work of art in itself, accompanied by an elaborate obi (sash) and different accessories depending on the season or event.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”Traditional makeup: oshiroi and red lips” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
The white face with oshiroi, the eyebrows and eyes outlined in black and red, and the lips painted partially or totally depending on the rank, are part of a visual code full of meaning.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”Distinctive hairstyles and accessories” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
The hairstyle varies according to the stage of training. Maiko wear elaborate hairstyles with flower and kanzashi ornaments, while geiko prefer more sober styles and traditional wigs. <\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”Geisha presence in popular culture” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ title_font=”|600|||||||” title_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_heading title=”Representations in literature and cinema” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
From novels such as Memoirs of a Geisha (inspired in part by the life of Mineko Iwasaki) to films and documentaries, geisha have fascinated the entire world.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”Influence on fashion and contemporary art” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
The kimono, makeup, and geisha accessories have inspired designers in Japan, the United States, and Europe, leaving their mark on fashion and art.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”Cultural tourism and its impact” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Today, thousands of tourists visit Gion in Kyoto in hopes of seeing a maiko walking. This has generated debates about the balance between tradition and tourism. <\/p>\n
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When we hear the word geisha, images of women in kimonos, white faces, red lips and delicate movements come to mind. But what is a geisha really? What is its role in the culture of Japan? Geisha have for centuries been symbols of elegance, art, and tradition, but they have also been surrounded by myths […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":987515345,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","content-type":"","_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[24,27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-987515349","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-culture"],"yoast_head":"\n