28 Historical Facts about Geisha and Geiko (2024)

Posted on March 8, 2020 by Chris Kincaid

28 Historical Facts about Geisha and Geiko (3)Geisha, or geiko as they are known in Kyoto, symbolize traditional Japanese culture. Their heyday in the early 1900s contributed to the exoticism the West felt toward Japan during the Meiji period. Many of those misconceptions remain about historical geisha. Today, becoming a geisha is much like taking up a vocation. It has its own schools and requirements. This list of facts will focus on historical geisha. I will use geisha and geiko interchangeably in this article. Geisha came from Tokyo while geiko lived in Kyoto. There’s quite a few differences in their practices.

Geiko were often considered superior to Tokyo geisha who were more modern than the ladies of Kyoto. Geiko also spoke in a specific Gion dialect. They also had different dances and songs. Don’t confuse geisha and geiko with post-World War II’s geisha girls (or geesha girls). Geisha girls dressed similar to geisha and oiran (super high-end prostitutes valued for their dance and art skills) but focused on providing sexual favors.

28 Historical Facts about Geisha and Geiko (4)

Here are 28 facts about geisha:

  1. Geisha weren’t prostitutes. They focused on dancing, music, conversations, and other art-based entertainment skills.
  2. They had professional names but no surname. The names reflected their relationship with their “elder sister,” and only one woman could have the name in her district.
  3. Patrons enjoyed confidentiality. As a rule, a geiko didn’t share what she had seen or heard during a tea or other event.
  4. Geisha had their own classes:
    1. Those born in the profession.
    2. Outsiders.
    3. Those from Miyagawa-cho and other former red-light districts.
    4. Hot spring or onsen women.
  5. Geiko and maiko had low riding collars on the back of their necks. The nape of the neck was considered sexy.
  6. Their elaborate hair styles required pillows and other stuffing, wax, and other implements to keep its shape.
  7. As geisha aged, they developed bald spots from these hair styles.
  8. Maiko wore ornate kimono. Geisha wore understated, elegant kimono.
  9. Geiko had to study for many years to attain their professional status. They began as shikomi, a housemaid, and had to earn the chance to study as a maiko, or apprentice geisha.
  10. Maiko began their training by observing their elder sister for the first month. During this time, she needed to be seen and not heard.
  11. Geisha were not able to marry, but they took lovers or acted as mistresses.
  12. Geiko houses, known as okiya, passed from mother to daughter.
  13. Maiko washed their hair only once a week when they visited their hairdresser.
  14. Maiko slept on a special stand called takamakura to protect their hair styles.

    28 Historical Facts about Geisha and Geiko (5)

  15. Hair accessories varied based on season and month. For example, plum flowers were worn in February, cherry blossoms in April.
  16. Okichi was a legendary geisha with a temple dedicated to her in Shimoda. She was known for her voice and grace. Local officials forced her to service the American ambassador Townsend Harris, tainting her in the eyes of the Japanese at that time. She drowned herself in 1890.
  17. Danna were male patrons who made a pact similar to marriage with a geisha. They pledged to support the geisha’s career and help her retire, and the relationship lasted until one of them died (usually the patron). The relationship was a sexual relationship, but this wasn’t always the case. Sometimes a danna merely wanted to support the geisha.
  18. Teahouses required invitation. A patron of a teahouse may invite someone to visit. Because of the exclusivity of this arrangement, most patrons remain loyal to a particular teahouse.
  19. Mizuage caused some controversy. The rite of passage involved the selling of a maiko’s virginity, allowing her to become a woman in geisha society. Some people claim it didn’t happen, but historical interviews and records suggest the practice existed for both oiran and geisha. A few observations:
    1. The rite included professional deflowerers who took special care to make sure the girls were comfortable during the rite.
    2. At the time, most women were arranged to marry strangers when they were 14-15 years old. Geisha had freedom to choose their partners after mizuage.
    3. Socially, keeping virginity (as advertised through a maiko’s hair styles) was deemed an embarrassment for the girl and her family.
      28 Historical Facts about Geisha and Geiko (6)
  20. Hair styles advertised a maiko’s rank in her apprenticeship. Full geiko had only a single formal hair style.
  21. The geisha’s flower and willow world only welcomed men as patrons except for otokoshi, or male staff. These old men and boys assisted geisha by helping them dress, carry their shamisen boxes, and other similar tasks. They also served as male confidants for geisha and maiko.
  22. Before clocks, a teahouse measured a geisha’s time by the number of incense sticks that burned during her time entertaining a patron. In Gion, 12 sticks = 1 hour.
  23. Teahouse proprietresses organized parties and selected the best mix of maiko and geiko for the patron’s needs. This would include the hosting patron’s favorites. Contrary to popular belief, women could also attend geisha-hosted tea parties.
  24. Danna often didn’t hide their relationship with a geisha. In fact, he often introduced her to his wife.
  25. Many wives preferred her husband taking on a geisha for a mistress. Geisha did not interfere with marriages or attempt to get a husband to divorce his wife as other mistresses might. Such behavior would end a geisha’s career and end with her ousted from her home and community. Of course, it sometimes happened. A geisha “sister wife” would also increase the wife’s reputation. I’ve read several accounts and letters of wives and geisha mistresses became close friends.
  26. Danna enjoyed a seat of honor at his geisha’s events and parties. Most danna were elderly men who didn’t exercise his sexual arrangements. Rather, they preferred the prestige of sponsoring a famous geisha.
  27. The color of a woman’s collar helps you identify her status. Maiko wear red. Geisha wear white.
  28. Geisha offered advice for politicians and businessman, but she never did this in a direct way or in ways that revealed her intelligence. The ideal was to make him believe he came up with the ideas. Geisha were thought to have influenced important historical events behind the scenes.

References

Downer, Lesley (2000). Geisha: The Secret History of a Vanishing World. Headline Publishing.

Masuda, Sayo (1957) Autobiography of a Geisha. Columbia University Press.

Iwasaki, Mineko (2002) Geisha, a Life. Washington Square Press.

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    1. Cool, I took a tour of the Kyoto Geisha district with a former Maiko very interesting.

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    28 Historical Facts about Geisha and Geiko (2024)

    FAQs

    28 Historical Facts about Geisha and Geiko? ›

    The History of Geisha

    The first “geisha” appeared in the 13th century and were originally men known as “taikomochi”. These men acted as both advisors and entertainers for their lord. By the 16th century, they became more akin to storytellers, focusing on creating conversation and inciting humor.

    What are some historical facts about geisha? ›

    The History of Geisha

    The first “geisha” appeared in the 13th century and were originally men known as “taikomochi”. These men acted as both advisors and entertainers for their lord. By the 16th century, they became more akin to storytellers, focusing on creating conversation and inciting humor.

    What is the history of geiko? ›

    In the mid-17thcentury, the elite tea houses trained young women to serve a particular type of tea only found in this region. These women soon began entertain guests with other traditional arts such as court dances or playing traditional instruments like the shamisen. Geiko ladies can still be found in Kyoto today.

    What is the difference between a geisha and a geiko? ›

    A geisha is an entertainer or host registered with the official geisha associations. As a note, a geiko is a geisha, specifically in Kyoto. Outside of the Kyoto area, they are referred to as geisha. Geisha are highly trained entertainers who perform in the arena of singing, dancing, and music.

    What happens to geishas when they get old? ›

    For the rest who chose to be a geisha it is a lifetime profession though so many geisha eventually quit in their thirties and forties and become housewives. If they don't quit, most geisha become an okiya owner or inherit the okiya they are affiliated and run a geisha house.

    Has there ever been a white geisha? ›

    Now Sayuki, she is the only white woman to ever become a full-fledged geisha in Japan. Sayuki says it took her three years to perfect the art of geisha. "Everybody knows that to become a ballet dancer takes an incredible amount of training, and obviously a geisha is the same," she says.

    Are there any real geisha left? ›

    If you're interested in supporting geishas, you can still visit traditional tea houses in Japan. There are about a thousand geisha based in a few major cities like Tokyo and Kanazawa, but the majority work in Kyoto which is considered to be the home of modern geisha culture.

    Who is the most famous geiko? ›

    Mineko Iwasaki - The Most Famous Geisha

    She began her training as a maiko, an apprentice geisha, at the age of six and made her debut at the age of 15. She quickly gained fame and became the most sought-after geisha in Gion, the most famous geisha district in Kyoto.

    Why do geiko wear wigs? ›

    Due to their seniority, geisha will wear wigs called Katsura (かつら) when they entertain. This was originally adopted after World War II when the number of hairstylists was very low and they could not manage to style both the hair of the geisha and the maiko.

    Why do geishas have white faces? ›

    In the past, there was no electricity in Japan, so artists entertained by dim candlelight. Eventually, they started painting the faces white to look more beautiful in such conditions.

    How did geishas sleep? ›

    For this reason, a Geisha sleeps with her neck on a small wooden support or takamakura. This can cause crippling pain and sleep deprivation, and keeping the head balanced on the stand is a difficult skill to master.

    What is a male geisha called? ›

    Taikomochi (太鼓持), also known as hōkan (幇間), were the original male geisha of Japan.

    Can geisha fall in love? ›

    Geisha lore hints that they do fall in love with clients, but the operative word is "client" and the love is not free.

    Can geisha have boyfriends? ›

    ' As such, geisha are prohibited from getting married and would have to quit the profession if they want to marry. They're also not allowed to have boyfriends, which can make the job less desirable for many women. That said, many patrons will develop an affection for a particular geisha.

    Is a geisha a concubine? ›

    Geisha were entertainers who were indentured to geisha houses through a contract system, whereas concubines had a 'stable, ongoing sexual relationship' with a man of the household but occupied a position below the wife. In Japan, concubines were registered as part of the household until 1882.

    What does a geisha tattoo mean? ›

    A geisha, in traditional Japanese culture, is a symbol of grace, beauty, and hidden strength. When you opt for a geisha tattoo, you're resonating with these qualities. It's not just an aesthetic choice; it's a reflection of deep admiration for the discipline, artistry, and mystery that geishas represent.

    Is geisha Based on a true story? ›

    Memoirs of a Geisha is a historical fiction novel by American author Arthur Golden, published in 1997. The novel, told in first person perspective, tells the story of Nitta Sayuri and the many trials she faces on the path to becoming and working as a geisha in Kyoto, Japan, before, during and after World War II.

    Who was the original geisha? ›

    Geishas have been part of Japanese culture for centuries – though it might surprise you to learn that the first geisha were actually men. During the Edo Period, between 500-600 men were working as taikomochi, the male form of a geisha.

    Who is the world's most famous geisha? ›

    Mineko Iwasaki - The Most Famous Geisha

    She quickly gained fame and became the most sought-after geisha in Gion, the most famous geisha district in Kyoto. She entertained many celebrities, politicians, and members of the royal family, including Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth II.

    References

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