The History of Geisha
This article was written by Khaliun Enkhbold
In the heart of Japan’s boundless art culture, graceful whispers and timeless elegance can merge into the mysterious world of geisha. Geisha are traditional Japanese entertainers excelling in many various performing arts such as classical music, conversation, and dance. Countless centuries of culture and tradition originate from geishas and they are the embodiment of refined elegance, grace, and beauty in Japan.
The origin of geisha first appeared in the year 1730, a time when geisha were originally men until it became a female-ruled occupation in 1780. The original role of a geisha was to be an assistant to an oiran (high-ranking courtesans) during the Edo period (1603-1868), a period where the geisha weren’t even allowed to converse with guests in fear of competition. However, guests gradually gravitated towards the less expensive and more approachable geishas instead of oirans. The popularity of geisha grew so far that they played a vital role in providing hospitality and entertainment during dinner parties, events, etc.
One misunderstanding about geisha is that they are courtesans which is not the case. The number of geisha was decimated after World War II, and resources were limited so it became harder for them to stay in operation. Huge amounts of U.S. soldiers were stationed in Japan during the post-war occupation, leaving opportunities for girls in the sex industry to find clients. In order to entice men, they dressed up as geisha even though they didn’t go through vigorous training to be called a proper geisha. Thus the West went through a great deal of confusion and many thought that geisha were courtesans which is a fact very far from the truth.
The number of geisha in modern Japan is far less than in the past and they don’t hold a central role in the Japanese hospitality service. Nevertheless, if you do end up going to Japan I would say that interacting with a modern geisha can allow you to experience “omotenashi” which is the abstract concept of both visible and invisible hospitality in Japanese culture. Not to mention the beautiful entertainment of Japanese culture will be provided if you do end up meeting one.
Geisha are more than performers; they are the embodiment of cultural heritage, art, and grace. They continue to captivate the audiences with their distinct appearances and ethereal presence and their dedication to preserving the past in a world that is ever-changing.
