Saturday, June 25, 2011

Geishas

















By : Lissette

Geishas


What I know about Geishas is that their roots go back to the 7th century and the image saturates japanese life, literature and entertainment. The word Geisha means artist. Erroneously they have been called prostitutes when in fact they are entertainers. I think the confusion came about when in the early 600s many young gilrs were mostly wandering girls whose families were displaced from struggles and some of these girls sold sexual services , while others with a better education made a living entertaining at high class social reunions such as the Geishas did.
By 794 the Geisha tradition began to emerge among the Japanese culture . It took years of training to master the art. A Geisha first started as an apprentice at a very young age sometimes between 3 and 5 years of age, and many were forced to sell their virginity at a very young age. By 1800 Geishas were consideres female companions , unlike coutesans who offered sex to men Geishas were only used for entertainment and companion . by 1830 prostitution was legal and some Geishas had sex with their clients, however it was not an obligation . With World War II Geishas declined in Japan as many women had to go to work in factories Geishas name also lost their status during this time since prostitutes were calling themselves Geishas. By 1944 every tea house , and bars anything in the Geishas world was forced to shot down. About a year later reopened . The very few women that returned made sure that they brought back the traditional standars in the profession though with increased rights for the Geishas.

Although in the modern japan young girls continue to become Geishas now they have laws prohibiting to sell their virginity nor are they coerced into sexual relations. Nowdays a Geisha's sex life is their private affair.





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