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Geisha

Geisha

What are your thoughts about the cultural aspects of Geisha in Japan and Japanese history? Do you think they were abusing people? Were they really prostitutes? Did you know there are also male Geisha?

Geisha

I did not know that there were male Geisha's, that seems rather odd. However, I know that the perception of people in the west is that Geisha's were prostitutes and that isn't the case. I understand them to be more of an all around entertainer, though sometimes sex is part of the entertainment. But Geisha's are highly trained and usually well versed in many different area's of entertainment from reading and writing to singing and playing instruments as well as acting.

Geisha Reviews Consumer & Travel Family Culture

The Geisha was an entertainment business that did include elements of what can be called prostitution within a western reference. They trained in classical dance, classical instruments and they propped up the mizoshobai (most of establishments were near water!) industry. Cultural references from a Western viewpoint may consider them high class courtesans but they performed a function within the society.
Not much is left today of geisha but there have been westerners who have trained in their curriculum and in some quarters, it is well received as a cultural throwback to a former glory.

Geisha

For more information on Japanese Culture & Art please visit the Japan Index.

Geisha

Entering the ancient world of geisha

Michio is just 19 years of age but already she has spent four years learning the art of a geiko – or geisha – in the Japanese city of Kyoto. Ref. Source 6