There are two ways to becoming a geisha. You can become an apprentice, which are maikos and means dance child. Maikos are paid half the wages of geisha women. There is a lot of training that is involved when becoming a geisha and it is very expensive. The mentor/teacher must be repaid before the geisha is able to move out of their house and start making money on their own. A woman entering the geisha community doesn't have to start out as a maiko, however, a year's training is typically involved before deciding a maiko or geisha. A woman who is 21 and over, is considered too old to become a maiko and becomes a full geisha upon her initiation into the community. In the end, it is better to have the experience as a maiko before a geisha; it allows you to enjoy more of the riches in your professional career.
There are three major elements in becoming a geisha.1. Formal arts training which takes place in special geisha schools found in every hanamachi (Japanese courtesan and geisha district)
2. Entertainment training which is learned at various tea houses and parties.
3. Social skill of navigating the complex social web of the hanamachi, which is done on the streets. Formal greetings, gifts, and visits are key ingredients of any social structure in Japan and for a maiko. It is crucial for her to build the support network she needs to survive as a geisha.
There is some confusion about geisha women. Legitimate geishas do not engage in paid sex with their clients. Geisha women are entertainers who entertain by dancing, playing musical instruments, or engage in light conversation. Geisha women can typically be flirtatious and playful but nothing more is expected. These women are idolized by men.By Lesley Draper
No comments:
Post a Comment