Garden GOLDEN PAVILION

Golden Pavilion Kyoto Japan: The Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji) is literally covered in gold - gold leaf. The Golden Pavilion is World Heritage listed and surround by beautiful gardens.

Golden Pavilion is the popular name for one of the main buildings of a Buddhist Japanese temple in Kyoto Japan. The name Golden Pavilion comes from the Japanese term Kinkakuji, which literally means the temple of the Golden Pavilion(金閣寺). Rokuon-ji (鹿苑寺 Deer Garden Temple) is the formal name of the temple complex in which the Golden Pavilion is found.

Golden Pavilion

Golden Pavilion - History

In the 1220’s it was the comfortable villa of Kintsune Saionji. Yoshimitsu, the 3rd Shogun of Ashikaga, abdicated the throne in 1394. After three years, he began to build Kitayamaden and he made a special effort to make it a breath-taking site. He indulged in his peaceful life in this serene setting. After Yoshimitsu’s death, Kitayamaden was made into a Zen temple in accordance with his will. All the buildings of those days came to ruin except Kinkaku. The garden, however, remains as it was in former days and can be enjoyed as it was hundreds of years ago. Rokuon-ji Temple was inscribed as World Cultural Heritage in 1994.

Golden Pavilion - Building

Kinkaku was formally called Shariden. The elegant, harmonious building consists of three types of architecture. The 1st floor is Shinden-zukuri, the palace style. It is named Ho-sui-in. The 2nd floor is Buke-zukuri, the style of the samurai house and is called Cho-on-do. The 3rd floor is Karayo style or Zen temple style. It is called Kukkyo-cho.

Both the 2nd and 3rd floors are covered with gold-leaf on Japanese lacquer. The roof, upon which the Chinese phoenix settles, is thatched with shingles.

Recently, the coating of Japanese lacquer was found a little decayed and a new coating as well as gilding with gold-leaf, much thicker than the original ones, was given to the building and was completed in 1987. Furthermore, the beautiful painting on the ceiling and the statue of Yoshimitsu were restored, with utmost care, to their original splendour.

Golden Pavilion Points of interest

The name of the pond is Kyoko-chi (Mirror pond). The pond contains many large and small islands. Climbing a few steps, you stand at the edge of another small pond, An-min-taku. The small stone pagoda on the island is called Hakuja-no-tsuka (the mound in memory of the white snake).

Stone pagoda Golden Pavilion

The classic tea house is called Sekka-tei. In Sekka-tei there is a celebrated pillar made of a nandin. The house was restored in 1997. On the way to the exit of the temple, you will find the small Fudodo shrine where the stone Fudo-myoc (Acara) is enshrined as a guardian.

KENROKUEN GARDEN

Kenrokuen Garden

Kenrokuen Garden is by far the most famous part of Kanazawa. Originally built as the outer garden of Ishikawa castle, it was opened to the public in 1875. It is considered one of the "three most beautiful gardens in Japan" and is filled with a variety of trees, ponds, waterfalls and flowers stretching over 25 acres (100,000 m²). In winter, the park is notable for its yukitsuri — ropes attached in a conical array to trees to break up snow as it falls, thereby protecting the trees from damage.

Kenrokuen Garden - Kanazawa - (GPL)

Kenrokuen Garden (Six Attributes Garden) "Spring". Picture by papermaker

Kenrokuen Garden "Summer and the haze pond". Picture by っ

Going side by side bridge - Kenrokuen Garden. Picture by Akimoto

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KORAKUEN GARDEN

Korakuen Garden is one of Japan's official Three Great Gardens. Korakuen Garden is located in Okayama. Korakuen Garden Pictures.

Korakuen Garden (後楽園) is one of Japan's official Three Great Gardens (see also Japanese Gardens) and hence Okayama's number one attraction. The name means "Garden of Pleasure After", a reference to a famous Confucian quote stating that a wise ruler must attend to his subjects' needs first and only then attend to his own. Entering through the South Gate, the first impression is that of a giant lawn, crisscrossed with wide paths and the occasional teahouse to break the monotony. But the interesting stuff is lurking on the sides: waterfalls, tiny shrines, miniature maple forests, a lotus pond, even a greenhouse filled with orchids and cacti. Cross the Moon-Viewing Bridge (Tsukimi-kyo) from the front of Okayama Castle to get in. Entry ¥350, open 8 AM to 5 PM daily.

Korakuen Garden -- by jpatokal

Korakuen Garden with Okayama Castle in the background. By Reggaeman

Korakuen Garden Scenic Spots

Enyo-tei House (延養亭)
Used as a place to receive the daimyo when he visited to park, this house is a central structure in the garden, commanding a broad vista of Sawa-no-ike, Yuishinzan Hill, and Mt Misao in the background.

Noh Stage (能舞台)
Tsunamasa Ikeda was not only an enthusiastic devotee of Noh but also an accomplished performer, and is known for the extensive collection of priceless Noh costumes he left behind. Townspeople were sometimes allowed to visit this stage. The present structure is a post-World War 2 restoration.

Nishiki-ga-oka Hill (二色が岡)
Although the original design was for a thicket of cherry trees that would bloom in spring and maple trees whose leaves would turn in autumn, Japanese cypress trees took their place after the war. Wild birds visit in large numbers - rare for a metropolitan location.

Kayo-no-ike Pond (花葉の池)
To the east is Kayo-no-taki Falls and on the southwest bank is found Odateishi, said to have been broken into over 90 pieces, brought to Korakuen, and rebuilt in the Genroku Era. Daimyo lotuses can be seen in their full glory between June and August here.

Jizo-do Shrine (地蔵堂)
One of six in the garden, this tutelary shrine is quietly dedicated in the middle of Nishiki-ga-oka.

Ofuna-iri-ato Dock Remains (御舟入跡)
Formerly the landing dock for boats bringing the daimyo from the castle, it is now surrounded by a bamboo thicket.

Renchi-Ken Teahouse (廉池軒)
It is said that this was Ikeda Tsunamasa's favorite of all the teahouses in the garden. It has a magnificent view of the pond.

Yuishinzan Hill (唯心山)
This manmade hill affords a panoramic view of the entire garden, spectacular when the azaleas are in bloom. It's 6 meters high.

Ryuten Pavilion (流店)
Pebbles of beautiful colors are scattered throughout the stream which passes through the center of the building - a rare design in Japan. It has a simple appearance and was used as a resting place for the daimyo on his strolls through the garden.

Yatsuhashi Bridge (八橋)
Irises are planted all along the bridge, after the azumakudari chapter in the Tale of Ise.

Kako-no-ike Pond (花交の池)
Originally designed with mountain cherry and other blossoming trees incorporated into the view around the pond. Tanka has been passed down through time portraying how the waterfall reflects the beauty of the flowers. The stream wandering through the park passes through this pond and flows back into the Asahi river.

Chaso-do Hall (茶祖堂)
This building was originally the Rikyu-do, one part of a villa belonging to a high-ranking vassal towards the end of the Edo Period, and was taken apart and rebuilt here around Meiji 20 (1887). Restored after the war, it is also dedicated to Eizai Zenshi, the Okayama-born priest said to have brought tea to Japan from China, from which the building gets the name Chaso-do: house of the father of tea.

Plum Grove (梅林)
In early spring, ahead of the other flowers, around 100 red, white, single and double-petal plum trees bloom and fill the garden with an elegant fragrance.

Chishio-no-mori Grove (千入の森)
The nearly 100 maple trees are beautiful in spring, when they bud, and in autumn, when their vivid tapestry of auburn hues is like a Japanese brocade. This is one of the most famous scenic spots in the garden.

Seidan Rice Fields (井田) - The Lotuses of Seidan
These rice fields are here to remind us of older times when rice fields were spread throughout the garden. They were made at the end of the Edo Period and modeled after the Zhou Dynasty system for taxing rice fields. The Oga Lotuses, which are said to have returned to life after 2000 years, are best viewed in June and July.

Tea Fields (茶畑)
Beautifully trimmed tea trees stand in rows. This is an ancient variety of tea which has a slightly bitter flavor.

Jigen-do Hall (慈眼堂)
This building was constructed by Ikeda Tsunamasa with the goal of bringing peace to the clan and stability to the Ikeda family. Two "guardian of the temple" statues, which were restored in 2000, are currently housed at the gate.

Sawa-no-ike Pond (沢の池)
The largest pond in the garden, Sawa-no-ike contains Naka-no-shima (中の島), Mino-shima (御野島) with the beautiful fishing palace, and Jarijima (砂利島), with its beautiful white sand and green pine trees.

Crane Aviary (鶴舎)
Cranes were kept in the garden since its inception, but there were none left after World War 2. Guo Moruo, Chairman of the China Science Institute, had as a young man attended Okayama's Dairoku Senior High School, and presented the garden with two cranes. Later, in collaboration with Kushiro City in Hokkaido, the garden succeeded in hatching and raising many cranes, bringing back their once lost beauty to the garden.

Paddock - Archery Range (馬場・弓場)
The Korakuen was built not only as a place for the daimyo to enjoy the scenery, but also as a training ground for practicing both the literary and military arts. The Kanki-tei and Kanaha-tei were places where the daimyo would observe displays of horsemanship and archery by vassals.

Cherry Tree Grove (桜林)
Japanese Iris Garden (花菖蒲畑)
Cycad Garden (蘇鉄畑)
Shitenno-do Shrine (四天王堂)
Benzaiten-do Shrine (弁財天堂)
Higashi-no-Inari Shrine (東の稲荷宮)
Nishi-no-Inari Shrine (西の稲荷宮)
Yuga Shrine (由加神社)
Masho-an Teahouse (茂松庵)
Odateishi (大立石)
Eisho (栄唱)
Eisho Bridge (栄唱橋)
Koto-kan Hall (古陶館)
Kakumei-kan Guest House (鶴鳴館)
Kanki-tei Rest House (観騎亭)
Gojusantsugi Koshikake-Jaya Teahouse (五十三次腰掛茶屋)
Kansui-saikyo-ken Rest House (寒翠細響軒)
Shinden Rest House (新殿)
Kansha-tei Archery Range (観射亭)
Heishiro-no-matsu (平四郎の松)
Wisteria Trellis (藤棚)

Korakuen Garden History

In 1687, the daimyo Ikeda Tsunamasa ordered Tsuda Nagatada to begin construction of the Korakuen. It was completed in 1700, and has retained its original appearance down to the present day, except for a few changes by various daimyo. The Korakuen is one of the few daimyo gardens in the provinces where historical change can be observed, thanks to the many Edo Period paintings and Ikeda family records and documents left behind. The garden was used as a place for entertaining important guests and also as a spa of sorts for daimyo, although regular folk could also visit on certain days. In 1884, ownership was transferred to Okayama Prefecture and the garden was opened to the public. The garden suffered severe damage during the floods of 1934 and during World War 2 bombing in 1945, but has been restored based on Edo Period paintings and diagrams. In 1952, the Korakuen garden was designated as a Special Scenic Location under the Cultural Properties Protection Law, and is managed as a historical cultural asset to be passed to future generations.

garden Ryoan-ji Temple

Ryoan-ji Temple - Ryoan-ji Temple in Kyoto is famous for its Zen garden. Ryoan-ji Temple is considered to be one of the most notable examples of the "dry-landscape" style.

Some say Ryoan-ji Temple (竜安寺) garden is the quintessence of Zen art, and perhaps the single greatest masterpiece of Japanese culture. This Japanese temple is surrounded by low walls, an austere arrangement of fifteen rocks sits on a bed of white gravel. That's it: no trees, no hills, no ponds, and no trickling water. Nothing you could describe as romantic, distracting or pretty.

Ryoan-ji Temple

So what is it all about? Well, it certainly focuses the mind. Unlike Stonehenge, the Pyramids, Angkor Wat, Salisbury Cathedral, or the temples of Luxor, Ryoan-ji can hardly inspire you with technical achievement, religious imperative or sheer scale. But its minimalism inspires something else – contemplation, introspection, and deliberation on the transience of our own humanity.

Ryoan-ji Temple

No one knows who laid out this simple garden, or precisely when, but it is today as it was yesterday, and tomorrow it will be as it is today. Behind the simple temple that overlooks the rock garden is a stone washbasin called Tsukubai said to have been contributed by Tokugawa Mitsukuni in the 17th century. It bears a simple but profound four-character inscription: "I learn only to be contented". The rest of the grounds are worth a look too - particularly the large pond. Open daily 8am-5pm (Mar-Nov), 8.30am-4.30pm (Dec-Feb). Admission ¥500. Nearest bus stop: Ryōanji-mae.

Other moss covered gardens around the outside of the temple.

A view inside the temple itself.

YUKATA JAPANESE FASHION COMPETITION

JAPAN CLUB OF VICTORIA FEB 2002 As part of the Bon-Odori festival a Yukata competition was held. Yukata is a Japanese informal summer kimono. You can see many beautiful competitors! Click on the images to see a larger version.
Attention to presentation, detail and tradition are all important factors when determining the best dressed in the Yukata competition. Sometimes you need to take a break and enjoy the summer festival atmosphere by having Kaki-goori – shaved ice with a syrup made of fruit juice like extract. AND THE WINNERS ARE...
Best Yukata - Open Section Ms Mako Mito who received a voucher from Torimatsu restaurant: 179 King St, Melbourne BYO – Full Licensed Phone: 03 9670 9683	Junior Section – Under 12 Combined Yukata and dancing. Winner is Saki Sekiguchi (left) with some of the other competitors. Prize book voucher.
Special Prize Machiko Bryce for orginal design and creation of Yukata.	Best Dancer – Open Section Jinbei-Ojisan (John)
Special editor's mention to these guys (far left). Great effort. Reiko Furukawa (left) President of Japan Club of Victoria Inc (JCV) and committee members. Fantastic festival – Well done!

JAPANESE TRADITIONAL WEDDING RECEIPTION

The usual procedures in traditional Japanese wedding receptions have a go-between introduce the bridegroom, bride and their family backgrounds. A Japanese wedding reception is a colorful affair, particularly with young friends of the bride attending in beautiful "Kimono".

Here the married sister of the bride is (seen on the left) wearing a tomesode kimono. The tomesode is a black formal kimono and is combined with a multi-color design on the skirt.

The traditional costume as worn by the bride is perhaps the highlight in the reception.

Here the bride is wearing a "Tsuno Kakushi" hood. This is worn to cover the brides "horns", thus showing her obedience to her new husband. You can also see the big "Kanzashi" ornaments in the bride's hair.

The bride is wearing a gorgeous white "Uchikake" gown, the wedding kimono. These are also known as the "Shiromuku". Below you can see a close up of the "Shiromuku" showing the great detail in patterns woven into the material. This is an example from Oriental Artifacts extensive range of kimono.

Nakodo

A "Nakodo" is a go-between who negotiates between both families.

Immediately after the marriage proposal has been accepted by the bride's family, there is a ceremonial exchange of drinks with the bride family and the Nakodo.

Go-betweens are often selected more for ceremonial purposes. They may be elderly couples known and close to either or both of the families to be united in marriage.

In the picture above the go-betweens can be seen one of each side of bridal couple, with the parents on the outside. This clearly indicates their historical importance.

Yui-no - Part of a Traditional Japanese Wedding

Once both families agreed in marriage, both families would meet at a formal dinner on an “auspicious” day in the Japanese almanac. “Yui-no" (engagement) gifts are exchanged. The main gift for a bride-to-be is an “obi” (a kimono sash), which represents female virtue. An example of an Obi can be seen on the right. Obi - available from Oriental Artifacts.

A "hakama" skirt is given to the groom-to-be in representing fidelity. In addition to the “obi” and “hakama”, the exchange of gifts may include as many as nine items, which traditionally symbolise happiness and fortune. These include:

1. “Naga-Noshi” – abalone shell widely used in Japan to make crafts and gifts – to express sincere wishes from the giver

2. “Mokuroku” – the list of gifts exchanged in the engagement

3. Money

4. “Katsuo-bushi” - dried bonito (a highly valued preserved food ingredient used to make soup stock) – to wish the couple a lasting marriage

5. “Surume” - dried cuttlefish – it is given for the same reason as “katsuo-bushi”, to wish the couple a lasting marriage

6. “Konbu” – known for its ability to breed – to wish the couple many happy and healthy children

7. “Shiraga” or hemp – its strong fibres are used to symbolise the wish for strong family ties. "Shiraga" also means white hair. Hemp is therefore used to wish the couple many years to come

8. “Suehiro” – a fan – it opens from end to end and is given as a wish for happiness and a bigger and better future

9. “Yanagi-daru” - a wine cask – money may be given in place of the wine cask for the purpose of purchasing "sake" wine

10. "Sake" casks – unlike usual sake casks which are usually made from "sugi" (cryptomeria), sake casks exchanged in the engagement dinner are made from "yui-no" (willow trees with tender leaves). “Yui-no” sake casks is meant to symbolise a pledge for obedience and gentleness in marriage

TRADITIONAL JAPANESE MARRIAGE CEREMONY

Mi-ai - Part of a Traditional Japanese Wedding

While it is true that more and more young men and women are united in marriage on their own will through love, the practice of "Mi-ai" is still widely observed to end in a happy married life for many. "Mi-ai" is an interview for a man and woman with a view to marriage, as arranged by their parents or a third party acting as a go-between. It is proposed with due consideration to social backgrounds and other factors of the prospective bride, bridegroom and their families. It is not compulsory on either of the parties concerned to accept such "Mi-ai" as a promise for marriage.

Prior to 1900's, the practice of "mi-ai" (an arranged meeting between a man and a woman with a view to marriage) was more a formality than an opportunity for a young man and woman to meet and get to know each other. Today, a matchmaker may be a family member or a friend who would arrange for an initial meeting between the young man and woman thought to be suited for each other in marriage. These initial meeting is usually arranged at a public place such as a restaurant or a theatre.

In the old days when "mi-ai" was a mere formality, a young man would be invited to the home of the young woman. If he were favourably impressed, he would leave behind a fan to indicate his acceptance to pursue the marriage. In the old days however, the bride-to-be had little say on the issue.

Hakama pants (skirt)

Hakama pants are a gift to the groom as part of the Yui-no, the phase of the traditional Japanese wedding. For a wedding they would be black, but to emphasis the detail of the design we have shown a patterned style.

The original Japanese platform shoes

Long before the 1970's and the platform shoes, Japanese women had been wearing Geta sandals or clogs.

The reason for wear these very high platform shoes was not for fashion, but for very practical reasons. If you are wearing a very expensive kimono that hangs all the way to your feet, you do not want to get mud on it when you walk outside. (A larger version of the picture can be seen by clicking on it).

Are Geta difficult to walk in?
Yes! Significant practice is required before someone can walk safely and elegantly in Geta.

Geta are made of one piece of solid wood forming the sole and two wooden blocks underneath. These block may have a metal plate on the section that touches the ground in order to lengthen the life span of the Geta. A V-shaped thong of cloth forms the upper part of the sandal.

JAPANESE FASHION

apanese Fashion - modern and traditional styles of Japanese fashion including Japanese street fashion. Plus 1,000s of pictures of Japanese fashion. Discuss Japanese fashion.

Japanese Fashion

Japenes culture, Kimono

Kimono: Over 55 pages of kimono pictures, kimono style descriptions, kimono history, kimono fashion competitions, places to buy kimonos and articles relating to kimonos. The kimono is a traditional form of clothing worn by Japanese women and men. There are many different kimono styles. We detail all the different forms of Japanese kimonos here. Kimono Picture: Traditional Japanese dancer Michiko Moriguchi appearing in a traditional Japanese kimono at the Japan Festival Melbourne.
KIMONO PICTURE Look through our extensive kimono picture gallery. More.	HOW TO WEAR A KIMONO Detailed step by step instructions complete with pictures shows you how to wear the popular summer kimono. More.
KIMONO - GEISHA Geisha still wear kimono as part of their traditional dress and entertainment.	Wedding Kimono Uchikake - the wedding kimono. Worn by Japanese brides at traditional Japanese weddings.
Furisode Kimono The most formal and gorgeous kimono for single Japanese girls and women.	Yukata Kimono Summer casual kimono worn by Japanese men and women.
Houmongi Kimono A formal kimono worn by married Japanese women.	Tomesode Kimono Formal Japanese kimono worn by a Japanese woman to special family functions.
Hadajuban Kimono ‘Hadajuban’ is the first undergarment worn in the kimono attire. It is so named as it is worn next to the skin.	KIMONO OBI An essential accessory for any kimono. This extensive feature covers; Introduction, History of the Obi, Types of Obi and Obi Weaves, Dyes & Stitches. More.

JAPANESE CULTURE - SAMURAI

SAMURAI

Samurai Guide including samurai meaning, samurai history, samurai culture, samurai pictures, samurai swords and samurai in popular culture.

Samurai (侍 or sometimes 士) is a common term for a warrior in pre-industrial Japan. A more appropriate term is bushi (武士) (lit. "war-man") which came into use during the Edo period. However, the term samurai now usually refers to warrior nobility, not, for example, ashigaru or foot soldiers. The samurai with no attachment to a clan or daimyo was called a ronin (lit. "wave-man").

(Tom Cruise in "The last Samurai" has provided a modern introduction to the way of the Samurai - Discuss here.)

Samurai were expected to be cultured and literate, and over time, samurai during the Tokugawa era gradually lost their military function. By the end of the Tokugawa, samurai were essentially civilian bureaucrats for the daimyo with their swords serving only ceremonial purposes. With the Meiji reforms in the late 19th century, the samurai were abolished as a distinct class in favour of a western-style national army. The strict code that they followed, called bushido, still survives in present-day Japanese society, as do many other aspects of their way of life.

Etymology of samurai

The word samurai has its origins in the pre-Heian period Japan when it was pronounced saburai, meaning servant or attendant. It was not until the early modern period, namely the Azuchi-Momoyama period and early Edo period of the late 16th and early 17th centuries that the word saburai became substituted with samurai. However, by then, the meaning had already long before changed.

During the era of the rule of the samurai, the earlier term yumitori (“bowman”) was also used as an honorary title of an accomplished warrior even when swordsmanship had become more important. Japanese archery (kyujutsu), is still strongly associated with the war god Hachiman.

Samurai Picture

Samurai

Picture above of Japanese samurai in armour, 1860s. Photograph by Felice Beato.

Geisha information

Geisha - Geisha information, Geisha pictures, where to see Geisha, Geisha and prostitution and Maiko - trainee Geisha.

Geisha (芸者 "person of the arts") are traditional Japanese artist-entertainers. The word Geiko is also used to describe such persons. Geisha were very common in the 18th and 19th centuries, and are still in existence today, although their numbers are dwindling. "Geisha," pronounced /ˈgeɪ ʃa/ ("gay-sha") is the most familiar term to English speakers, and the most commonly used within Japan as well, but in the Kansai region the terms geigi and, for apprentice geisha, "Maiko" have also been used since the Meiji Restoration. The term maiko is only used in Kyoto districts. The English pronunciation ˈgi ʃa ("gee-sha") or the phrase "geisha girl," common during the American occupation of Japan, carry connotations of prostitution, as some young women, desperate for money and calling themselves "geisha," sold themselves to American troops.

Trainee Geisha (Maiko) Kyoto Japan

The geisha tradition evolved from the taikomochi or hōkan, similar to court jesters. The first geisha were all male; as women began to take the role they were known as onna geisha (女芸者), or "woman artist (female form)." Geisha today are exclusively female, aside from the Taikomochi. Taikomochi are exceedingly rare. Only three are currently registered in Japan. They tend to be far more bawdy than geisha. Other public figures who contributed to the creation of the modern geisha were Oiran, or courtesans, and Odoriko, dancing girls. The Odoriko in particular influenced geisha to include dance as part of their artistic repertoire.

A Maiko going to work in Gion Kyoto.

Geisha were traditionally trained from young childhood. Geisha houses often bought young girls from poor families, and took responsibility for raising and training them. During their childhood, apprentice geisha worked first as maids, then as assistants to the house's senior geisha as part of their training and to contribute to the costs of their upkeep and education. This long-held tradition of training still exists in Japan, where a student lives at the home of a master of some art, starting out doing general housework and observing and assisting the master, and eventually moving up to become a master in her own right (see also irezumi). This training often lasts for many years.

The course of study traditionally starts from a young age and encompasses a wide variety of arts, including Japanese musical instruments (particularly the shamisen) and traditional forms of singing, traditional dance, tea ceremony, flower arranging (ikebana), poetry and literature. By watching and assisting senior geisha, they became skilled in the complex traditions surrounding selecting, matching, and wearing precious kimono, and in various games and the art of conversation, and also in dealing with clients.

Once a woman became an apprentice geisha (a maiko) she would begin to accompany senior geisha to the tea houses, parties and banquets that constitute a geisha's work environment. To some extent, this traditional method of training persists, though it is of necessity foreshortened. Modern geisha are no longer bought by or brought into geisha houses as children. Becoming a geisha is now entirely voluntary. Most geisha now begin their training in their late teens.

Are Geisha Prostitutes?

Strictly speaking, geisha are not prostitutes. Because they entertain men behind closed doors in an exclusive manner, there has been much speculation about the underpinnings of their profession. The confusion that surrounds this issue has been complicated by Japanese prostitutes who wish to co-opt the prestige of the geisha image, and by inaccurate depictions of geisha in Western popular culture. Although a geisha may choose to engage in sexual relations with one of her patrons.

The first geisha was indeed a courtesan named Kako. Over time, she discovered that she had no need to engage in the red-light district. Kako was directly or indirectly to heir to many schools of Japanese art. She called herself a geisha ("arts-person") and confined herself to giving artistic performances.

Occasionally, a geisha may choose to take a danna (an old fashioned word for husband), which is typically a wealthy man who has the means to support a geisha mistress. Although a geisha may fall in love with her danna, the affair is customarily contingent upon the danna's ability to financially support the geisha's lifestyle. The traditional conventions and values within such a relationship are very intricate and not well understood, even by many Japanese. Because of this, the true intimate role of the geisha remains the object of much speculation, and often misinterpretation, in Japan as well as abroad.