There is a wide spread misunderstanding between a geisha and an oiran. This confusion exists because geishas and oirans have similar traditional attire in dressing and geishas used to perform for the oirans’ customers. An oiran is a prostitute, a courtesan, sugar baby. They not only provide sexual enjoyment but in addition to that, a romantic bond. Their job is done in a place called yūkaku, the « pleasure quarter » and they have to be licensed and classified.
an oiran
Whereas, geishas developed later, in the 17th century, in Japan. Their focus is not on having a sexual relationship with their clients. Gei means art and sha means person. She‘s a performing artist who makes a living by providing an entertaining and lighthearted company at high class social gatherings especially for men. It’s very challenging to be a Geisha because she has to be skilled at dancing, singing, palying the samisen (a three-stringed musical instrument)
The samisen
Geishas dancing with their fans
A geisha wears kimono,traditional hairstyles and the oshiroi makeup which means « white powder ».
Kimono
Hairstyles
oshiroi makeup
Geishas were mostly wandering and abandoned girls or ones sold by their family during the war. A geisha has to go through stages of training to become one. first, young girls begin their training, around the age of 6 ( after the twentieth century, they have to be 18 years old). They are called shikomi. These apprentices live at the okiya where they learn the necessary skills for the next stage. They observe and learn from the other geishas and the mother of the house, okaasan, how to speak with guests and how to comfortably wear a kimono. Moreover, the manners of the Karyūkai that means “The Flower and Willow World” which is the world of geisha. These trainees attend to the needs and the chores of the house as well. This stage lasts for years. Then, they make their debut as a maiko at the age of 17 or 18. It’s learning by observation stage. They start going to geisha party, ozashiki, with their older sister where they sit quietly and observe to have a clear insight about the job. Their training is very expensive. They are supplied with food, shelter, kimono and its necessities. These expenses are funded by loans and they must be repaid to either the okiya or her guarantor by her earnings. Finally, around the age of 20–21, a maiko will graduate to geisha status in a ceremony known as erikae.
You can tell apart a geisha and a maiko by their hairstyle and kimono. Maiko wears very long, padded hems.
Geisha: shimada mage
maiko : momoware
As a fact, to book a geisha at your banquet you can not have a direct contact with her unless you know someone who has connections with the okiya. Furthermore, you can’t always call a geisha. There are strict rules.
the Ryotei (where you have the banquet)
To have a better view about this kind of culture, I recommend reading the book “memories of a geisha” or watching the movie.
Written by Zeineb Lamine.
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