It’s part of Japanese interesting culture.
Mineko Iwasaki can be called the most famous geisha in history, details of her life inspired the author of the novel “memoirs of a geisha”. This bestseller was the occasion of heated discussions in connection with loud claim, and the true story of Iwasaki was an excellent example of what it means to be a geisha.
Artists
In General, the Japanese word “geisha” means “person of art”, and, contrary to popular belief, geisha were not some kind of prostitute. Geisha was the perfect personification of a true woman. Her training was devoted to such art forms, such as music (including singing) and dancing, as well as the ability to be a good hostess for guests-men.
The first geisha were men
Interestingly enough, the first geisha were men. Until the 18th century women were not allowed to participate in public life, so the male geisha were taught the art of conversation, and to establish contacts with representatives of the highest class. They had to maintain the smooth flow of the conversation and entertain guests in a variety of ways – playing games, drinking to the skilled dancing.
The first female geisha
In the 18th century in the entertainment areas of Japan began to appear female. The first female geisha was a serious competitor to prostitutes, offering lots of skilled services.
Sometimes a failed prostitute could become a geisha to earn extra money. Over time, the Japanese government started to regulate the activities of the geisha and has developed strict rules concerning the sexual life of the geisha, their wardrobe, and conditions of employment.
Training future geisha
Soon the training skills of the geisha has become as difficult as training to be a doctor.
Geisha had to go through 6 years of training in music, dance, tea ceremony, language and art of receiving guests. Geisha lived together in okia. When the business went up the hill, among the villagers, it became popular to sell their daughters to okiya.
Matriarchal culture in okia
Although Okie was sold to many girls, only a few managed to become a real geisha. The world of the geisha was a matriarchal society – Okie governed Okasan, or “mother”. In okija was also onesan, or “teacher”, which helped the education of a geisha. Geishas were always unmarried, and if a geisha married she was forced to leave work.
During the Second world war, the activities of the geisha was banned
Most popular geisha used in the early 20th century, this trend has decreased in the years of the Second world war. In 40-ies., during the occupation of Japan, the geisha was outlawed. However, the craft was revived in the 50s that led to the emergence of one of the most famous geisha – Mineko Iwasaki.
Mineko Iwasaki
Iwasaki was only 5 years old when the owner ocia, Madame Oima legally adopted her. From an early age Iwasaki was prepared in the successor okia, at the age of 15 she became the apprentice Geiko (Maiko). By age 16 she was one of the most famous Maiko in Japan, and at 21 became a geisha and started to arrange activities for such royalty, such as Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles. Iwasaki was luxurious, popular and well-known is complicate her life. She often attacked other geisha, she was jealous, and aggressive men. One of such episodes street was attacked by men armed with sharpened bamboo sticks.
Arthur Golden wrote “memoirs of a geisha
In the end, hectic life and hard rules that were an integral part of the glory of a geisha, Iwasaki forced to retire at the peak of her career when she was 29. Subsequently, Iwasaki had to come back to reminisce about their difficult fate, when she met with Arthur Golden, purposeful author and expert on the culture of Japan. Golden was working on a novel, the plot of which was the life of a geisha in Kyoto, Japan, before and after the Second world war. Golden recorded the interview with Iwasaki and used some of the details of her biography to create the main character of his book “Chivo Sakamoto”.
Iwasaki demands of material reparations for the statement that her virginity was sold
Although Golden it took 15 years to write this book when it was published in 1997, it immediately became a bestseller. The novel is considered a significant work of literature, on a par with the works of Charles Dickens. The book is not biographical, but when it was translated into Japanese, Golden was sued for breach of contract and misrepresentation of the character Iwasaki. Iwasaki said that in the book all shown that her virginity was sold, although she lost it on their own. The dispute was settled without trial. Shortly thereafter, Iwasaki published her memoirs in which she described the events of her life as she remembers them.
Modern geisha
Perhaps the Western art of the geisha seems to be something long outdated, but the geishas are part of Japanese culture today. Modern geisha are trained in various arts in Kyoto. They study the flowers, the art of tea ceremony, traditional dances, games, calligraphy, music and the art of conversation – exactly the same as their predecessors. Today the work of the Geiko is not associated with prostitution. And watching Geiko during the traditional tea ceremony can cost you about 2,000 $.
