Geisha By: Leah E. Neff

About Geisha• The Japanese word “geisha” translates literally to

mean “entertainer.” Geisha are refined, cultured girls and women who are highly trained in a variety of traditional skills

• Their skills include singing, dancing- like ballet, but slower and more graceful; and music- all geisha must learn to play the shamisen. The shamisen is a three-stringed banjo-like instrument that is played with a plectrum

A Little More Info…

• Geisha begin their training as children and they come to live in geisha houses called okiya.

• Maiko are apprentice geisha, which means they must learn by watching their “older sister,” or an older, mentor geisha.

• Geisha training period lasts for about 5 to six years• A mizuage happens to signify coming of age, which is

where patrons would bid a great sum of money for the virginity of the maiko

Geisha Dress• Geisha wear kimono, which have obi which is the

sash that is tied at the back.• They also wear zori or geta with split-toed socks.• Depending on the rank of the geisha, they will wear

a red collar (apprentice) and then they will eventually wear a white collar to show seniority.

Geisha Hair• Geisha usually wear their hair in a chignon fashion.

The hairstyle of the apprentice geisha or maiko is called the “split-peach”

• The hairstyles are decorated with elaborate pins and ornaments

• Geisha were trained to sleep on neck supports, instead of pillows to keep their hairstyle perfect- which their hair was only styled every week or so. Currently, geisha use wigs instead

Geisha Make-up• Geisha usually wear a heavy white base, originally made with

lead, later replaced with rice powder. The white makeup covers the face, neck and chest. They leave a thin line of skin around the hairline to create the illusion of a mask, also leaving a W shaped patch of bare skin on the nape of the neck- to accentuate what many Japanese men find very attractive

• Geisha traditionally wore charcoal to draw eyebrows and line eyes

• Geisha color in their lips red with a small brush in the shape of a flower bud. They don’t fill in their lips completely, in natural shape- the white creates an optical illusion so geisha can style them differently

Fin