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Geisha. By: Leah E. Neff. About Geisha. The Japanese word “ geisha” translates literally to mean “entertainer.” Geisha are refined, cultured girls and women who are highly trained in a variety of traditional skills
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Geisha By: Leah E. Neff
About Geisha • The Japanese word “geisha” translates literally to mean “entertainer.” Geisha are refined, cultured girls and women who are highly trained in a variety of traditional skills • Their skills include singing, dancing- like ballet, but slower and more graceful; and music- all geisha must learn to play the shamisen. The shamisen is a three-stringed banjo-like instrument that is played with a plectrum
A Little More Info… • Geisha begin their training as children and they come to live in geisha houses called okiya. • Maiko are apprentice geisha, which means they must learn by watching their “older sister,” or an older, mentor geisha. • Geisha training period lasts for about 5 to six years • A mizuage happens to signify coming of age, which is where patrons would bid a great sum of money for the virginity of the maiko
Geisha Dress • Geishawear kimono, which have obi which is the sash that is tied at the back. • They also wear zori or geta with split-toed socks. • Depending on the rank of the geisha, they will wear a red collar (apprentice) and then they will eventually wear a white collar to show seniority.
Geisha Hair • Geisha usually wear their hair in a chignon fashion. The hairstyle of the apprentice geisha or maiko is called the “split-peach” • The hairstyles are decorated with elaborate pins and ornaments • Geisha were trained to sleep on neck supports, instead of pillows to keep their hairstyle perfect- which their hair was only styled every week or so.Currently, geisha use wigs instead
Geisha Make-up • Geisha usually wear a heavy white base, originally made with lead, later replaced with rice powder. The white makeup covers the face, neck and chest. They leave a thin line of skin around the hairline to create the illusion of a mask, also leaving a W shaped patch of bare skin on the nape of the neck- to accentuate what many Japanese men find very attractive • Geisha traditionally wore charcoal to draw eyebrows and line eyes • Geisha color in their lips red with a small brush in the shape of a flower bud. They don’t fill in their lips completely, in natural shape- the white creates an optical illusion so geisha can style them differently