The Geisha: A Performance Artist

The mention of Japanese entertainment often evokes the image of a geisha. Geishas are an inextricable part of the Japanese tradition and have brought Japanese skills in classical music and dance to perfection. The word “geisha” consists of two Japanese nouns: “gei,” which means art and “sha,” which means person or doer. A geisha is known as a performance artist, whose primary goal and purpose is to entertain.

The Geisha

Geishas begin their training at a very tender age. The geisha undergoes the first stage of training doing basic household tasks and attends classes at geisha schools, where she grows accustomed to the traditional dialect and dress of the area. After passing a difficult dancing exam, she proceeds to the second stage of training, where she assists in banquets hosted by the fully-fledged geishas. Passing this stage, she then apprentices to a geisha, where she is made to understand the deeper rules and principles of the art. Once she becomes a geisha herself, she holds the position until she retires.

Geishas are just a part of the colourful Japanese culture. If you thirst for more resources on entertainment, the links listed below will prove to be infinitely useful.