GEISHAS: THE FIRST ESCORTS?

We all have in mind the figure of a Geisha, a figure always related to eroticism and sensuality, but we really know very little about these women with porcelain skin and beautiful silk kimonos. What are the myths and truths about these women? Where do Geishas come from? Are they the predecessor of current escorts? These are some of the questions that we intend to answer in this week's article, dear readers.

We will begin by defining the word Geisha, which literally means "Person who practices the arts", something shocking for gaijin like us who, due to the pathetic influence of cinema, would have expected a meaning closer to whore than to artist.

It is surprising that in its beginnings, this original centuries-old profession from the Land of the Rising Sun was carried out exclusively by men and that we had to wait until the mid-19th century for the term Geisha to be identified with a female profession, since at this historical moment , women were gaining ground until they tripled the number of men who exercised it.

In the past, the women who ran the Geisha houses used to buy young girls under the age of 10 from poor rural families. Called Okaasan or Mother, they were responsible for educating them until adulthood. A curious fact about this is that despite being sold by their families, these girls were assigned a debt that they had to pay with their services in the future, in this way, all the young women arrived at the houses were in debt.

During the first years of their training, the girls helped the Geisha in her daily cleaning and cooking tasks. Then they could begin to participate in the ceremonies, but only to observe in silence, at this stage they are called Minarai.

In the next stage they began to be taught in art, culture, music, theater and floral arrangements. They learned to play traditional instruments and also about protocol. To do this and through a ritual, they paired the girl with an onee-san, who would be her mentor for the rest of her life.

The goal of these teachers was for the future Geisha to become famous and respected.

The ceremonies take place to this day in tea houses. An incense stick marks the time that the geisha must remain at the meeting entertaining the guests. Her duty is to be a perfect hostess.

As time has passed, there have been fewer and fewer Geishas left, although in some parts of Japan like Kyoto, it is still traditional and you can still find these famous tea houses operating.

There are many speculations and doubts regarding the sexual activity of this practice, since Japanese culture shows great secrecy in everything related to this topic.

"There are many doubts regarding the sexual activity of Geishas due to the secrecy of Japanese culture."

But, what was the necessary process for these girls to become Geishas and why does today's Western culture position them as synonymous with sensuality, elegance and culture?

FIRST PHASE: SHIKOMI

The first step for every girl to become a Geisha was known as Shikomi: Girls between the ages of 14 and 20. These entered the Okiya with the consent of their parents and the Okassan.
The young women moved from their homes to the Okiya where their learning would begin. During the first months of their stay they could not have contact with their families and loved ones, in order to instill independence in them.

The discipline of the Japanese is world-renowned, and on this occasion they were not far behind. The life of a Shikomi was not easy and she was never going to be.

"During the first months of their stay they could not have contact with their families and loved ones, in order to instill independence in them."

The first household chores and responsibilities in the okiya ranged from cleaning and hanging clothes to helping the maiko dress, undress, and put on makeup.

Their duty was to accompany the older sisters wherever they needed to go, carrying the objects they would need to do their work.

The shikomi should be available whenever the Maiko needed help. In addition to having great respect for her, since she would be her confidant for the rest of her life.

The Shikomi usually went to bed late, usually between three and four in the morning, as they waited for their older sisters to arrive at the Okiya, to help them with the aforementioned tasks, and they also normally had to get up early to go to classes.

The Shikomi stage was undoubtedly a period in which aspiring Geishas had to earn respect through sacrifice.

PHASE TWO: MINARAI

After a minimum period of one year as a Shakomi and a lot of sacrifice, the young Geisha aspirant had to take a series of exams that dealt mainly with dance and music.

If they managed to successfully pass these complicated tests, where all kinds of aspects about the examinee were taken into account, they reached the next level.

The Okasan accompanied the Shikomi to the temple in her area to assign her a stage name. The names depended on what they wanted to get from the girl, whether it was a good economic situation or artistic talent.

An Okiya's names always begin with a prefix derived from the name of her older sister.

"If they managed to successfully pass these complicated tests, where all kinds of aspects about the examinee were taken into account, they reached the next level."

It is at that time when they were ready to attend their first ceremonies in the tea houses as Minarai which means "watch" and "learn." That is what the young women will be limited to doing during this period, which lasted one month and where they would not obtain economic benefits.

During this period they cannot speak, since the art of conversation is one of the most complicated things in the trade since everything said during an Ozashiki (banquet) has to please the client and they used to be very demanding.

The objective was that by observing other geishas, and with the help of the owners of the houses, the apprentices would become skilled in the complex tradition of choosing and wearing kimono, and in dealing with clients.

In this phase, the future Geishas put makeup on only the lower lip and their obi is half the width of the kimono, so it only reaches their hips.

Regarding the preparation of a geisha, we do not find similarities with the world of escorts, since in this, there is no cultural support of customs that are transmitted from generation to generation.

Escorts would be an adaptation of the modern Western world. And, although they surely also go through a learning process, it is by their own means and decision, without guides except perhaps the advice of a friend in the sector.

PHASE THREE: MAIKO

Probably the image that heads this section is the image you have of a Geisha, although it is actually a Maiko. That's why her makeup is so colorful and striking, as well as her hair adorned with spectacular arrangements.

This period was the longest, and could last from 5 to 10 years, although currently the times have been shortened.

The young woman already paints both her upper and lower lips, she participates in the ceremonies dressed in Kimonos that distinguish them from the Geishas, and they even stand out much more, since they are younger and prettier.

They have conversations with the clients although their main role is to delight them with the sounds of the Shamisen, to the rhythm of the typical songs or kouta as well as the sensuality of their dance, the perfection of their hands when serving tea and their intoxicating lips reciting poetry.

"Their main role is to delight them with the sounds of the Shamisen, to the rhythm of the typical songs or kouta as well as the sensuality of their dance, the perfection of their hands when serving tea and their intoxicating lips reciting poetry."

It is certainly a sight for anyone's eyes.. 

GEISHA

As we told you, a Geisha is, in most cases, a visibly mature, experienced woman who has spent her entire youth preparing to become renowned.

Dedicated for life to traditional Japanese arts and its perpetuity. Considered very wise and respected by all the members of the house as the authority.

Experts in formal language and masters in the art of conversation, one of the greatest and most valued facets of it.

"Experts in formal language and masters in the art of conversation, one of its greatest and most valued facets.."

Geishas paint their eyebrows red and use black eyeliner as a sign that they have reached the highest level of their profession.

Some of them, especially in ancient times, painted their teeth black with iron and vinegar to prevent them from looking yellow due to the contrast with the white paint, a custom known as ohaguro.

At this level, Geishas can now get married, although the vast majority prefer to retire before getting married, and they can also have children outside of marriage. They can also now go to university and are believed to be completely free to choose a boyfriend or lover.

A very interesting and different culture from ours, which we hope to have brought you closer to with this article.

Many people wonder if Maiko or Geishas are prostitutes. The answer is no, at least not as far as Japanese tradition is concerned.

The mistake of thinking that geishas are prostitutes possibly comes from the confusion between them and the Shirabyoshi or the Oiran, who were the ancient Japanese courtesans.


And you, what similarities do you see between escorts and Geishas? Without a doubt, in both cases they are beautiful women who aim to entertain and accompany their clients, but there are big differences regarding the purpose of these two professions that have nothing to do with each other.

Geishas dedicate their lives to Japanese arts and traditions and spend years and years training, while escorts do not follow any type of cultural tradition, which does not prevent many of them from being cultured people with university studies.

Escorts are experts in accompanying and adapting to any type of meeting, from a business dinner to which you are not willing to be the only one attending without a partner, as well as a Valentine's Day that does not go as expected, as we have commented on our article  "An unforgettable Valentine's Day in good company"

If you liked today's article, don't forget to read us next Sunday and remember that in IbizaTops you won't find a Japanese Maiko or a Shirabyoshi, but you will find the most beautiful and exclusive international escorts.


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