The Geisha Misconception: Part 2
January 9th 2010 14:07
In a recent post I wrote about the Oiran being the official prostitutes in Japan. However, a friend of mine then pointed out that Geisha could have also been mistaken as prostitutes due to the Kanji (Chinese characters) used. In his explanation:
This gave rise to several other questions such as:
1) What were the exact origins of the Geisha misconception?
2) Were Geisha ever classified as prostitutes or were even known/acknowledged to engage in such activities?
So I decided to do some more research on the matter.
Shortly after the Meiji Restoration, the new government established laws to liberate "prostitutes (shougi) and geisha (geigi)". The wording of the statute fueled debate amongst officials and the public. Some officials believed that shougi and geigi quintessentially served the same profession - selling sex. Thus it was argued all prostitutes should be given the title "geisha". In the end, they chose to continue classifying shougi and geigi as two separate groups - as geisha were more refined and should not be soiled by being grouped with prostitutes. (1)
The fact that there was any confusion or debate at all indicated at least some prostitution activities had occurred amongst the geisha.
A common example would be the Onsen Geisha (Hot Spring Geisha). This particular type of Geisha were often given the bad reputation of practising prostitution. However, this was a result of prostitutes claiming to be "geisha" in order to add appeal. Furthermore, the autobiography of Sayo Masuda indicated that authentic Onsen Geisha were often placed under immense pressure to sell sex. (2)
Another factor was the Mizuage Ceremony. For Maiko (apprentice geisha) to become a full-fledged Geisha, she was to go through her coming-of-age ceremony where a wealthy patron will pay a large sum of money and take her virginity. The money obtained would be used to fund her debut as a Geisha. However, following this ceremony, the patron was to never have any future relations with the girl.
The practices of prostitutes claiming to be "geisha"; geisha being pressured into prostitution and the Mizuage Ceremony would have contributed to the misconception amongst the Japanese. Now how did it spread to the West?
The main reason I found was that following World War II, Japan was occupied by British and Australian soldiers. Foreigners who would not have had any knowledge of the Japanese social hierarchy or dress codes. Hence, many prostitutes often claimed to be Geisha to appear more exotic to soldiers.
These girls were dubbed the "Geisha Girls" or "Geesha Girls" (a term as a result mispronunciation of geisha by foreigners). However, such a term was eventually used specifically for streetwalkers who serviced the Mizu Shobai (Water trade). For example, bar and cabaret hostesses.
So there we have it. In the end, Geisha themselves are not a classification of prostitutes. It is also noteworthy that good social reputation was not taken lightly amongst the Geisha. High class, authentic Geisha would have never sold sex. However, this did not stop wealthy and powerful patrons from pressuring them to engage in prostitution.
As for the Kanji question? Meanings may evolve over time and as they travel across the ocean. Upon research, the kanji in Japan has three meanings: singing girl, geisha, prostitute. It's hard to say whether the meaning "prostitute" was derived from another possible meaning like "lady of pleasure" (which has a few possible implications).
However, for further reading about the history, feel free to check this website or the following books.
Resources:
(1) Matsugu, Miho, 2006, "In the Service of the Nation: Geisha and Kawabata Yasunari's "Snow Country"", in Martha Feldman and Bonnie Gordon, ed. The Courtesan's Arts, Oxford University Press, London, ISBN 0195170288, page 244
(2) Masuda, Sayo, 2003, Autobiography of a Geisha, trans. G.G. Rowley, Columbia University Press, New York ISBN 0231129513
(3) Sheridan Prasso, The Asian Mystique: Dragon Ladies, Geisha Girls & Our Fantasies of the Exotic Orient PublicAffairs, 2005. ISBN 1586482149
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