The Geisha in modern Japan still evokes a mystical sense, as well as beauty with their pale white face, dark eyes, dark hair and blood lips drawn in a bow. Today in Japan, very few authentic Geisha exist. However, we can see the likeness of the Geisha on TV, in movies and impersonated in entertainment areas. Both the Japanese and non-Japanese have been fascinated with this mysterious and beautiful woman.

Geisha (in the Kyoto dialect known as Geiko) are professional female entertainers. They perform traditional Japanese arts at banquets as well as in teahouses. The Oka-San, managed of the teahouse, is very protective of the Geisha and does not usually permit new customers access unless they have been properly trained. Earlier, the Geisha was found throughout Japan, but now the Geisha is primarily found in Tokyo and in the Gion area of Kyoto.

As an apprentice to the career of a Geisha, the young ladies are first called a “Maiko” first, and they learn traditional Japanese arts such as the tea ceremony, flower arranging, singing, dancing and playing instruments, called “Shami-Sen”. In addition, the Maiko learned the Kyoto dialect if she was not a local, as well as social and conversational skills. In the end, only a few ladies successfully become “Maiko” to Geisha.

When the “Maiko” reaches the age of 18, there is a special ceremony called the “erigaishi” when “Maiko” becomes Geisha. After the ceremony, the young Geisha leaves the teahouse and move into a single residence and changes her way of wearing her Kimono and make-up.

Clothing
The Maiko and Geisha wear a traditional type of a silk kimono and wooden “geta” shoes. Their hair is worn in a high beautiful sculpted arrangement along with accessories. A red stripe is painted down the back of the Geisha’s neck. It is said that the more the neck is exposed, the more risque the kimono is. The Geisha mainly wears more subdued colors on their kimono that has shorter sleeves. By contrast, the Maiko’s kimono has brighter colors and longer draped sleeves. The kimono is tied with a thick and wide silk belt, which is know as an “obi”. The obi can be tied in several different and unique ways.