Japan's geisha tradition spans over 400 years as skilled entertainers who master music, dance and conversation. The word geisha means "person of the arts" and describes performers who entertain guests without offering sexual services.
Male entertainers called Taikomochi actually started the gewhile profession during the 1700s. These men performed at courtesan houses and entertained high-ranking officials with singing and dancing. Female dancers worked separately in pleasure districts but faced age limits that forced career changes.
Women adopted the geisha title when they aged out of dancing roles around age 20 to 24. They chose this name because male geisha never provided sexual services to clients. Laws prevented geisha from soliciting sex since courtesans wanted to protect their brothel business.
Girls became apprentices called Maiko at ages 14 or 15 under a master known as Okaasan. Poor families often sent daughters to geisha houses for training and stability. The rigorous lifestyle required natural talent and years of expensive education that students owed back to their houses.
Modern Japan has only 1,000 working geisha and maiko combined. Popular geisha can earn $2,200 per night for performances and ceremonies. Young women prefer college education over the restrictive geisha lifestyle today.
Male entertainers called Taikomochi actually started the gewhile profession during the 1700s. These men performed at courtesan houses and entertained high-ranking officials with singing and dancing. Female dancers worked separately in pleasure districts but faced age limits that forced career changes.
Women adopted the geisha title when they aged out of dancing roles around age 20 to 24. They chose this name because male geisha never provided sexual services to clients. Laws prevented geisha from soliciting sex since courtesans wanted to protect their brothel business.
Girls became apprentices called Maiko at ages 14 or 15 under a master known as Okaasan. Poor families often sent daughters to geisha houses for training and stability. The rigorous lifestyle required natural talent and years of expensive education that students owed back to their houses.
Modern Japan has only 1,000 working geisha and maiko combined. Popular geisha can earn $2,200 per night for performances and ceremonies. Young women prefer college education over the restrictive geisha lifestyle today.
