My students often ask me, “what is a geisha (芸者)  and what do they do?”  The truth is, there is no easy answer to this question.  The world of the geisha (芸者)  called karyūkai (花柳界), which translates into English as, “the flower and willow world,” is a world shrouded in secrecy and exclusivity.  However elusive, we can still figure out some aspects of the geisha (芸者) world by trying to understand  the origins of the word “geisha” (芸者).  Let’s begin by looking at the word geisha (芸者)  and breaking the words apart to decipher its meaning.  The word gei (芸)  means art while the word sha (者) means person.  Altogether the word geisha (芸者) means “performing artist.” 

In the strictest sense of the word, geishas (芸者)  are truly multi-talented artists.  They are required to master an eclectic and diverse area of study, which includes knowledge of Japanese literature, music, dance and current events.  They must be witty conversationalists and present themselves in a manner that is agreeable to the client.  Considering that geishas (芸者)  must know pretty much everything, I find this to be truly inspiring, for I can barely do any one of the things above, much less do them all.  Oh and don’t get me started on playing the shamisen (三味線).  A shamisen (三味線) is a three stringed instrument played with a bachi (ばち).  A bachi (ばち) is used to strum the shamisen (三味線).  The shamisen (三味線), although consisting only of three strings, is actually really hard to play!  Plus my stubby fingers make it impossible to pluck the individual strings. Lol!

Being a geisha (芸者) nowadays is truly demanding.  With the declining economy and clients unwilling to pay the high prices that geishas (芸者)  charge, the majority of geishas (芸者)  are hired only for very special occasions.  Also, the reputation of the geisha (芸者) as a prostitute has downgraded the profession somewhat, causing much controversy in the karyūkai (花柳界), or the world of the geisha (芸者).  How much the karyūkai (花柳界) is involved in prostitution or whether it is even involved in prostitution is not always clear.  However, one thing is clear.  The number of geishas (芸者) are decreasing, and the art and knowledge that they possess may also disappear; especially if we don’t make an effort to preserve that knowledge.

So, curious about what goes on in the karyūkai (花柳界) or the world of the geisha (芸者)?  Here’s a clip:

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