10 amazing facts about geishas of our time
Geisha are an integral and recognizable part of Japan for foreigners, just like samurai, sushi and Japanese manga. However, few people know what these beauties actually do, how they live and who they are — corrupt women or sophisticated prostitutes.
Contents of the article:
- Exclusive cosmetics, wigs and maitake mushroom
- 10 facts about geishas
- Geisha is not a prostitute
- Geisha: beginners and mature
- Geisha earns her paid training
- Geisha have special clothes and shoes
- Geisha can refuse clients
- A geisha must know and be able to do a lot
- What do geishas hide in their sleeves and hair?
- Geisha manicure
- 5 shocking facts about the life of the concubines and wives of the Khan of the Golden Horde!
- Geisha — elite companion
- Cost of “services” of a geisha
- One day in the life of a geisha — a first-hand account
Exclusive cosmetics, wigs and maitake mushroom
Among the products of famous Japanese brands, cosmetics for geishas occupy a special place. Cosmetic kits include:
- Whitening cream;
- Very light powders
- Bright lipsticks;
- Eyeliners.
For lipsticks and pencils, the main requirement is that the product is long-lasting and retains its brightness and richness throughout the day. This is due to the fact that geishas do not have time to update their makeup, especially since it is very complex. Typically, they spend up to five hours to look the way they want.
To keep it simple, Japanese geisha do not wear traditional elaborate hairstyles, but do wear wigs or hairpieces. Otherwise, preparing for the work day may take several hours.
All geisha should consume maitake mushrooms (translated as maitake, also known as Japanese geisha mushrooms). Their powder helps reduce the number of calories in food consumed, thereby promoting the girl’s harmony. Mushrooms also help relieve PMS symptoms.
10 facts about geishas
Geisha is not a prostitute
Initially, these women served as elite companions for wealthy people, but during World War II, American soldiers who used the services of prostitutes called them geisha. Subsequently, all love maidens and just random women began to be called such terms.
In Japan, prostitutes are called yujo and can be distinguished from geishas by their appearance.
- Shoes are worn on bare feet (geisha wear white socks on their feet).
- Hairpins, red thread, hairpins and a large number of coins in the hair.
The main difference is the obi. The yuko is simple, and the kimono is placed in front of it for easy removal. Geiko wear the obi on the back of the kimono and tie it with a complex knot.
This garment has its own deep symbolism. The knot on the obi indicates that the woman is not easily accessible, has good taste, and is well-educated and well-mannered.
Geisha: beginners and mature
While she is a geiko, she calls herself a maiko, and after two years of training, she is entitled to the title of geiko. Girls were required to begin training by the age of 16, and in ancient Japan, girls could attend geisha school as early as 10.
After completing their training, a maiko initiation ceremony was held. The bright red collar is replaced by a white one, embroidered with gold. The collar color is not the only difference in the garment. The kimono of a young geisha has shorter sleeves. The main difference between maiko and mature geiko is that young girls are chosen for their striking appearance, while mature women are attracted by their skills in various fields.
Geisha earns her training.
Geisha earns her paid training
The contract also includes a clause allowing her to change jobs, but she is obligated to pay a large penalty and reimburse all training costs.
A maiko could have used the contract option, as it would have allowed her to work in a different environment and would have required her to pay a higher salary. This is because in Kyoto, a man pays a geiko for two hours of work, which is equivalent to 25% of the average annual salary of a Japanese man. Thus, these women are not affordable for mere mortals, but serve politicians and businessmen.
Geisha have special clothing and footwear.
Geisha have special clothes and shoes
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There are formal, semi-formal and tracksuits (for rehearsals). There are special seasonal kimonos — for example, cherry blossoms are worn in April, and willow weeping trees are worn in June. The tree is also a good luck talisman. Hair clips are changed every month.
Fabrics depend on the weather. When it is cold in Japan (autumn and winter), geisha wear warm, lined kimonos; in early spring they are replaced with cotton clothing; summer kimonos are made from the best silk.
Traditional wooden platform sandals are not as easy to wear because the center of gravity of these shoes is at the heel. For this reason, geisha have small steps for such walking. Otherwise they may fall off. Bells that ring at every step are attached to GET.
Geisha can refuse clients
Geisha can refuse clients
Indeed, refusal is always covered with the most polite form of Japanese gibberish. This is the only form of the word “okini” meaning “thank you.”
A geisha must know and be able to do a lot
A geisha must know and be able to do a lot
To do this you need to have many talents. In addition to the ability to conduct tea ceremonies, dance, sing and play various instruments, a geisha must know all the latest news and understand art and other disciplines — this is necessary. Keep the conversation going.
What do geishas hide in their sleeves and hair?
What do geishas hide in their sleeves and hair?
A geisha can hide two pieces of paper in her wig — she puts them there and takes autographs from her favorite song and dance theater actors. By the way, access to dressing rooms is always open to geishas, as they are considered colleagues and artists here.
Geisha manicure
Geisha manicure
5 shocking facts about the life of the concubines and wives of the Khan of the Golden Horde!
Geisha — elite companion
The Kyoto dinner special costs US$150 for a separate alcohol bill and the geisha comes with a maiko and musician. In addition to this trio, a translator is required (although a geisha knows several languages, a geisha knows several languages, but this skill is usually used to communicate with clients).
Cost of “services” of a geisha
Cost of “services” of a geisha
One day in the life of a geisha — a first-hand account
One day in the life of a geisha — a first-hand account
Let”s meet the main characters
Let”s meet the main characters
Both receive guests in the tea house. Heishu”s name is only Fuki (26 years old), and Terih (19 years old) is her junior colleague (they call her Hangyoku — because they are on half salary during training). In Kyoto, older hookah potters are called young people or miki.
Since childhood, she dreamed of becoming a geisha and applied for courses at the Gish Yukino house in Tokyo. Here women live while studying, and after completing their apprenticeship they can leave school and live their own lives. So Fukui already has his own apartment, and Terka still lives in Yukino.
How is a Geisha”s Day?
How is a Geisha”s Day?
At 10 am the process begins. This may equally require rehearsal, training and teaching (depending on the student”s stage). For Fukuyama, it”s more like a rehearsal — she breaks for lunch and then returns. As a rule, everything lasts for six hours.
The girls are engaged to be together. Instructors teach traditional ceremonies, dancing, playing Japanese instruments and singing. If necessary, some study calligraphy, others compose long ballads — nogata — to the accompaniment of three knife semmisen, or study theater.
Gichas admits that such preparation requires a lot of effort. In addition to these activities, girls meet daily with experts in various fields to learn everything about economics and politics. After all, they need to communicate freely with their guests. Among them are mainly businessmen and government officials.
Older women can use it to take some rehearsal time to take care of themselves. Fukuyama can spend this time on hairdressing services. Sheish is very complex and students who do not have money for expensive wigs often sleep on special pillows to achieve this hairstyle.
Fukui also has his own hair, as the wig is very heavy and can sometimes only be removed at the end of the night, when the last interaction with the client is finished (Gisha calls this interaction a session).
Classes end at 16:00. Shisha has dinner, gets ready and goes to the general meeting (Ozashiki). After the meeting, a meeting begins with the participation of guests. They can do several things in one evening; popular geishas are booked in advance.
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