Geisha
Have you ever hard of Geisha?Do you know what Geishas are? I believe that some of you have heard of Geishas lately because Hollywood movie Memoirs of a Geisha is going to be released on Dec 10. Also, the book Memoirs of a Geisha, on which the movie was based, has come out. Have you ever seen this picture? This is the main promotional picture of that movie. I have been reading this book and I found it so interesting and a page-tuner. I recommend your reading it. I talked about this book and movie with my American friends though I was surprised to hear that they had considered Geishas as prostitutes. It seems that many Americans have a major misconception about Geishas. Thus, I'll explain about them, so you can have appreciation their true roles in society. Geisha means a "skillful person", which is exactly the literal meaning of the word. Geishas are not prostitutes but performers who control the situation and entertain guests with their great skills. You may think that Geishas are just bar girls who pour sake for men or prostitutes. That's not true. It is a must for Geishas to have such skills as dancing, singing, playing musical instruments, making conversation. Only skillful trained women can be called "Geishas", for they don't sell their bodies. Of course, some of them used to be prostitutes because of their poor economic situations. The Japanese were so poor a long time ago that many people lived from hand to mouth, and could not raise their children. Many poor parents had to sell their daughters to get a little money. If they had not, all of them would have died from hunger. However, not every sold girl could become a Geisha. Some of them who were talented and beautiful aimed to be top Geishas, but became prostitutes , the so-called "Yujyo" or "Oiran". They had never put on a pair of socks, which were a marker to distinguish Geishas from prostitutes(Yujyos or Oirans). Geishas generally put on a pair of socks, tabi. Yujyos or Oirans did not put on them. I believe many people mix up Geishas with Yujyo, and that is why they may consider Geishas as prostitutes. We call skillful and trained Geishas just "Geishas, " and call trainees "Geiko" or "Maiko", who are about 15 to 21 years old. It is said that it takes several years to become a Geisha, and the training is so severe. Trainees have to live in the their Master's home, and get up early everyday. After long hard training, trainees go to restaurants for their jobs every night, which is so hard. Even Geishas train themselves to improve their skills every day. It is so hard for Geishas to entertain their guests, who are usually rich, with their perfect dancing, singing, performing, and conversings every night. In addition, top Geishas have to be beautiful and have a special aura, which normal people never have. According to literature, top Geishas were so popular at that time like supermodels nowadays and were object of envy. We are so proud of Geishas and this chic and stylish culture because of their great skills, endless devotion, and hard work. If you have enough money and have an opportunity to go to Kyoto, a historical place and Japanese former capital, please entertain yourself at Geisha parties. Also I recommend your reading this book, Memoirs of a Geisha, and seeing the movie Memoirs of a Geisha.