YOUR JAPAN LOGO
  • TRAVEL GUIDES
  • BEGINNER’S GUIDE
  • ACCOMODATIONS
  • SHOP
No Result
View All Result
Your Japan logo

What is a Geisha? A Journey Into Japanese History

Did you know that Male Geisha also existed?

YourJapan Blog by YourJapan Blog
August 7, 2023
in Beginner's Guide, Japanese Culture
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0

Just when you think that you have had so much of Western entertainment and want something different, something new, something foreign. Could there be something else so entertaining? Some of you may have come to Japan mainly to explore the diverse culture, in fact, life would have been boring if we had to get entertained by the same, and only one culture. Well, you are certainly in the right place if you are looking for something new. You might be asking yourself right now, what is a geisha? Well, let’s find out about this Japanese style entertainment which is also one of Japan’s oldest profession.

This typical Japanese style entertainment which has grown popular over centuries for its sentimental and exclusive entertaining potentials leaves you stunned, not only for its diversity but also peculiarity. Geisha still lives so popularly in the ancient capital of Kyoto. So, what is a geisha finally? A captivating beauty, white-faced, black-haired, dressed in kimono and entertaining (performs several arts, traditional dance, and music).

 

What is a Geisha – History

What is a geisha umbrella

The Japanese characters 芸者 (Gei-sha) literally represent 芸 (gei) arts and 者 (sha) person. An art person, the person of arts or an “Artist” in a normal language.  It may surprise you to know that the first geisha were actually men since in the 13th Century. The female Geisha came to exist only during the Edo period (18th Century). The male Geisha were known under the name taikomochi.  How did the taikomochi look and what did they do?

Male Geisha (Taikomochi)

What is a geisha Taikomochi
Credits: Ethnic Jewels
The history of taikomochi (male) dates back to the 13th century when men who were attendants to feudal lords advised and entertained their masters, they were focused on storytelling, humor, dancing, and playing music. With the coming of the female geisha, the number of females came to outnumber the taikomochi. They still exist today but they are very few as about only five in the whole of Japan.

Female Geisha

What is a geisha presentation

During the Edo periods, the Geisha girls served in Tea houses, restaurants, bars and staple. They were popular in Osaka and Kyoto. They were known as Honko, they danced for their clients. Young girls aspiring to be Geisha are first known as Maiko.

As an apprentice, a maiko looks different both in appearance and in the roles they play. A maiko’s dress is more colorful. They perform Japanese traditional dance and ohayashi (a form of Japanese music played during festivals). While a maiko’s hairstyle is momoware (parted peach), a Geisha’s hairstyle is shimada mage (Topknot hairstyle).

 

Experiencing Geisha Performance

What is a geisha nihonbashi
Credits: Omotenashi Nihonbashi

Just to be clear, Geisha still exist today and they still play an important role in the entertainment scene in Japan. Reserved for rich Japanese business men in the past, this unique experience is starting to become available for more people, including foreigners. The price of the activities is still a bit onerous but I can tell you by experience that it’s worth it. 🙂

Usually, a Geisha experience today include to be served by a Maiko or a Geisha during a dinner with traditional Japanese Food, Sake and/or Japanese Tea. You may also see them playing games, dancing and singing traditional Japanese songs while playing shamisen, a Japanese traditional three-stringed lute with a square body.

Miyakojima Okinawa Japon 05 Shamisen
Credits: Asian Wanderlust

That’s it for this article, I hope you liked it! 🙂 I guess you know a bit more about what is a Geisha now but if you have any question, feel free to send us a comment in the section below. 🙂 And if you enjoyed this article, I’m sure you will also love the rest of our posts about Japanese Culture.

Don’t miss out any other blog post, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Our Facebook Group is a growing community in our Facebook group. Join us! Sayonara!

YourJapan Blog
+ posts
  • YourJapan Blog
    https://itsyourjapan.com/author/bobby/
    Tokyo to Mount Fuji Train
    September 18, 2023
    Explore the Land of the Rising Sun: 10 Best Japan Tours
  • YourJapan Blog
    https://itsyourjapan.com/author/bobby/
    September 15, 2023
    5 Apps You Need to Download Before Hitting the Road
  • YourJapan Blog
    https://itsyourjapan.com/author/bobby/
    September 15, 2023
    Things To Learn From the Japanese Education System
  • YourJapan Blog
    https://itsyourjapan.com/author/bobby/
    casino slot machine
    September 13, 2023
    Online Gambling: A Look Into the Future
Tags: geisha
ShareTweetSendShare

Related Posts

The Harvest of Mimei Ogawa: the ‘Hans Christian Andersen’ of Japan

The Harvest of Mimei Ogawa: the ‘Hans Christian Andersen’ of Japan

by Josh Furr
August 30, 2023
0

Around the cooler months in Japan, you may hear the phrase, dokusho no aki (読書の秋), which translates roughly to...

suica card

10 Surprising Ways You Didn’t Know You Could Use Your Suica Card

by YourJapan Blog
August 6, 2023
0

The Suica card, Japan's iconic contactless smart card, is more than just a convenient means of transportation payment. Originally...

tokyo treat subscription box

TokyoTreat Review: Japan’s Best Bites subscription box

by YourJapan Blog
August 6, 2023
0

If you're a snack lover and interested in trying out unique and delicious Japanese snacks, then TokyoTreat subscription boxes...

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

logo your japan blog

Your Japan is your ultimate guide to Japan. Your adventure begins here.

Connect With Us

Copyright © 2018-2023 Blue Frog Digital

No Result
View All Result
  • Advertise
  • Book Hotel in Japan
  • Contact
  • Shop
  • Write for us
  • Japan Travel
  • Japanese Culture
  • Beginner’s Guide

Copyright © 2018-2023 Blue Frog Digital