Japanese Culture : The Geisha

Almost everyone has seen the traditional look of a Geisha. From their dark black hair in an up sweep, their silk kimonos tied at the back and the unmistakable chalk white face and red lips, these girls are hard to miss.

What is a Geisha? Where did that start and is it still alive today?

History

The Geisha's are an ancient practised tradition among Japanese woman. Often Geisha's are trained from a young age. They start out as a minarai and then later become a maiko. These girls must attain a mentor known as a onee-san (older sister) to mentor her and teach her the ways of the Geisha. The word Geisha means Gei (meaning artist) and sha (meaning person) in our culture it would loosely translate to art performer.


Contrary to westernized belief traditional Geisha's are not prostitutes. They were trained in preforming various things from instruments, poetry and dance. They were hired by clients to preform for them and flirting would be the farthest they would go. Their main task was to entertain with stories, dances, songs and poetry.


There are fewer and fewer modern Geisha's today but some do exist. Those that do still live in the traditional geisha house called an okiya.

Geisha Girls

American GIs stationed in Japan mistakenly called the prostitutes that looked similar to Geisha's “Geisha Girls” and so the term stuck. There are many “Geisha Girls” prostitutes that are still around japan today but although they bare similarities in looks to the traditional Geisha's they have no other.


Appearance

The Geisha look is very distinct with their powder white face and bright red lips. The makeup application process is very extensive and difficult. They start out using a base oil on the skin to help the powder adhere. Once the oil is in place they mix rice powder with water to create a paste and then bush it on using a bamboo brush. After the paste is on they sponge on foundation and then sponge off the excess. Traditionally a W pattern is left at the nape of the neck to give the allusion of a mask being worn.

The eye brows and eye makeup is next applied today using traditional eye make up but in past times it was not uncommon to use charcoal. After the eye make is applied the lips are next. The traditional red lipstick is a coloured stick which is then melted in water brushed on.


After the Geisha has had her makeup applied she is dressed in the traditional kimono and the traditional chopsticks or head piece are placed in the hair.
Now these girls are ready for hire. Whether it be to preform a Japanese dance, to read poetry or sing a song they are the art form of entertainment.

Today there are very few true Geisha's left as modern day does not call for such innocent preforms. It is a true tragedy as the true Geisha is a tradition of beauty and rarity to behold. There are a few cities in Japan which still uphold this ancient tradition and for them the Geisha is a symbol of beauty, brains and art.