Geisha: Western Misconceptions

After reading Ways of Seeing, our class moved forward into the world of the traditional Japanese Geisha. In doing so we read the ethnography\account Geisha written by Liza Dalby.\ This amazing account is of Dalby's transformation from a typical white female into the first ever white Geisha. Before reading this I did't really kow to much about traditional Geisha culture and what they actually did. I sadly have to admit I am one of the many who thought they were simply prostitutes.

As it turns out Giesha are entertainers hired to play drinking games and keep men amused in throughout evening hours. Amusing men does not be providing erotic encounters. Geisha are trained as Maiko from a young age. Geisha training includes learning traditional Japanese song, dance and other art forms. They must wear Kimonos (kind of robe dress) which can cost upwards of $40,000 and walk, talk and act in very specific traditional ways. To become a Geish requires hard work, patience and loyalty.

In this section we also watched the 1960 film When a Woman Ascends the Stairs. This film depicts the trials of a 30 year old widowed Japanese women by the name of Kieko. (Mama) This beautiful film is directed by Mikio Naruse and really gives a you a deep sense of sorrow for Japanese Hostess's and bar owners. These women are constantly in debt because culture expects them to live lavishly, even though they cannot possibly make the amount of money necessary to do so. It is heartbreaking to watch Kieko question her integrity in order to make an advance on in her life.