Geisha and Maiko

Geisha and Maiko represent a section of Japanese culture which is especially captivating to visitors to the country.

Though the word 'geisha' is understood by most Westerners as 'prostitute', the Japanese have a much more varied and considerably less straight forward view of the roles played played by these ladies in the storied entertainment districts of Kyoto.

As the ancient capital of Japan, Kyoto was the traditional home of the many pleasure houses and entertainment areas long before Tokyo became the heart of the country, and something of that tradition remains to this day. Though spotting Maiko (geisha in training) is not an altogether common occurrence, Kyoto is one of the few places in Japan where you are likely to spot these gloriously costumed ladies walking through the streets.

To this day, I am still pretty unsure of just what it means to be a Maiko or a Geisha. Though traditionally, sex is involved in their vocation, it would seem that these women more commonly entertain with song and conversation than they do with their bodies. The complex role that they play in the Japanese identity can be seen in the fact that in certain major ceremonies throughout the year which are held in major shrines, Geisha are invited to entertain worshippers with song and dance. Geisha, then, play a very important role in keeping the history of this country alive.

As a part of the Setsubun festival - a celebration heralding the coming of Spring - several Geisha are invited to perform public dances at Kyoto's Yasaka Shrine. It is a rare chance for the common people of the city to see the secretive women, who show off the fruits of their many years of training in a series of performances to traditional music.

Seeing these dances and the reactions of the hordes of Japanese who come to see them begin to give a clue as to how the Geisha represent something beyond what is perceived at first glance by the Western visitor.

Many Japanese, in fact, are loathe to admit at all that there are any connections between Geisha and prostitution. Despite the fact that in order to be classified as a Geisha, one must have been 'bought' by a patron, very few people seem willing to ponder just what that sort of arrangement might entail.