THE WORLD OF THE GEISHA

A modern country, where age-old traditions and cultures still prevail, Japan is a place full of contradictions. Western but not quite it is Asia with a difference! One of Japans most fascinating cultural traditions, which is still very much alive today, is the art of the geisha. Kyoto is considered by many to be where the geisha tradition is the strongest today and it is here that you are able to spot these graceful women, with their colourful kimono’s and ghost white make up as they rush between appointments in the many teahouses dotted about the back streets.

The word geisha translates as person of the arts and geisha must train for many years before they become qualified. Traditionally, a geisha began her training at a very young age but now young women who wish to become geisha most often begin their training after completing high school or college. Their training involves the study of traditional instruments like the shamisen, shakuhachi (bamboo flute), and drums, as well as traditional songs, japanese traditional dance, tea ceremony, literature and poetry. Modern geisha still live in traditional geisha houses called okiya while they complete their training so they can learn from other geisha.

For many a trip to Japan will simply not be complete without catching a glimpse of a geisha so if that sounds like you then read below to discover how you can enter the world of the geisha.

Drinks with a Maiko
Apprentice geisha are called maiko. This word is made of the kanji (mai) meaning ‘dance’ and (ko) meaning ‘child’. It is the maiko, with her white make-up and elaborate kimono and hairstyle, that has become the stereotype of a ‘geisha’ to westerners. Maiko must attend lessons in dance, music, tea ceremony and calligraphy as well as learn how to be a good conversationalist to be able to entertain their clients. We can offer you the unique opportunity to spend ninety minutes having drinks with a maiko who will also perform a traditional dance for you so you can become enchanted by the geisha’s of Gion.

Geisha Dress Up
Geisha always wear kimono and this is your chance to transform yourself, with full make up, geisha wig, and kimono. A kimono is a very complex piece of clothing which can be as many as 12 to 15 layers thick and can take from 2–3 years to complete, due to painting and embroidering. An maiko's kimono is usually highly colorful with an extravagant obi and pocketed sleeves called ‘furi’ which dangle all the way to the ground. Older geisha wear more subdued patterns and styles (most notably the obi tied in a simpler knot). If there any men out there that are interested then don’t be shy you can join in too and wear a men’s kimono for that full samurai look!

Geisha Party
If there is a small group of you then we can organise the ultimate geisha experience, an evening being entertained by geisha and maiko over a traditional meal in a local restaurant. You can experience for yourself what it is like to be entertained as a genuine customer having the geisha pouring your drinks and talking with you (using an interpreter) and watching as they perform traditional songs and dances accompanied by the shamisen (a traditional stringed instrument).

Geisha Dances
Every year the four geisha districts of Kyoto stage dance festivals, a tradition which stretches back through the generations. These seasonal performances take place in spring and provide a dramatic spectacle for those lucky enough to obtain tickets. Dressed in elaborate, brightly coloured Kimono and accompanied by staccato strains of the shamisen, the maiko’s graceful and highly stylised movements tell out eternal stories of life, love, death and the simple pleasures of the changing seasons. For those travelling in April we can arrange tickets to the dances including a tea ceremony demonstration before the performance.

Click here to read more information about our trips to Japan or call us on 0800 840 0850 to speak with one of our Japan experts