MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA

A geisha is a woman who is well versed in the art of music, dance and entertaining. Geisha is
Japanese for "art person." A geisha spends many years learning to play a variety of musical instruments,
singing, dancing and even being the perfect hostess at a men's party. All geishas must be affiliated with
an okiya, a geisha house and which they will also usually work in an ochaya ("teahouse").

An amalgam is the lodging house / drinking establishment in which a maiko or geisha is affiliated
during his career in karyūkai "flower and willow world": the traditional name describing the geisha
profession.

Only a full geisha can have her lips completely painted red. It is rare to see the lips filled in the
western style because it will make the lips look unusually large; the intent is to give the illusion of a
flower bud. After the age of thirty, geisha will wear the traditional make up only for formal events or
special performances.

Geishas paint their faces white to enhance their skin tone and contour their faces. The other
reason why they paint their faces white is to hide their true feelings and facial expressions.

A Maiko (apprentice geisha) does not receive any salary, because they are in training. The okiya
pays for everything, starting with food, taxis, and accommodation, in kimono and geisha classes.

All the girls studying to become a geisha took classes at the same school. "Dance is most
honored by the art of geisha. Only the most promising and beautiful geisha is encouraged to specialize in
it, and nothing but tea ceremony can compare to the richness of its tradition. It can be understood why
dance is considered. A Geisha is also taught how to act with people. They learn how to smile and say
something kind to other individuals.

The wonderful style of clothing worn by a geisha is an important tool within her art practice. The
geisha wears a robe called a kimono. It's not just any kind of kimono. The kimono is a piece of artwork
itself. It is usually a kimono designed by the best of the most elegant silk fabrics with a wide combination
of living colors, threads and textures.

The way of the play Geisha's work is to show perfection, quiet, passive, quiet quality. Because
geisha's beauty is half of her success, some people have to work harder than others.

The right to take the virginity of a Geisha (mizuage) was sold by the Geisha house. After the
mizuage, the geisha were not obliged to have sex with any customers, even the men who paid for their
virginity.

Contrary to what people often say, Geisha is far from prostitutes; they are more exactly
Japanese luxury artists. They are greatly honored and respected in the Japanese society for their craft
and practice.