The Role Of The Geisha In Japanese

Culture Essay, Research Paper

Japan, located in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of the Asian Continent, is a nation composed of

almost 7,000 islands, many are small. The four main islands are Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and

Kyushu. Japan has the seventh largest population in the world. With approximately 125 million

inhabitants, the only countries with a higher population are China, India, the United States, Indonesia,

and Brazil. The population which is about half of the United States, lives on only 1/25 as much total land

mass, this computes to being one of the highest population densities in the world. These conditions

reflect in the Japanese cultural values and their desire for being a collective society.1

The Japanese style of conducting business differs greatly from the western model. It has grown

out of the nation.s unique history cultured philosophy. The Japanese people are isolated in an island

nation.s unique history, culture, and philosophy. The island nation is under constant bombardment by the

harsh forces of nature, have traditionally placed a strong emphasis on working together as a group in

order to survive. Their culture is deeply influenced by Confucianism, with its rigid rules governing

conduct and its emphasis on trust, consensus, and hierarchy. These ancient roots have influenced every

aspect of Japanese business; from the way formal meetings are conducted to the importance placed on

after-hours socializing. It has shaped a business culture in which long-term, mutually beneficial

relationships are of paramount importance. By understanding and adapting to this business culture,

Western executives eager to do business in Japan will be able to be enlightened to be more productive

associations with their Japanese colleagues and will increase the probability of achieving the goals of

their meetings there. It is important to understand the role of the female entertainer in Japanese culture.

That is why the Geisha has a specific role.2

The geisha is described as a .century old professional entertainer. the geisha is an important

part of traditional Japanese social life. Geisha are masters in the arts, trained in music, calligraphy, Sado

(tea ceremony) poetry, conversation and social graces as well as three stringed instruments called

Shamisen. They dress in traditional kimonos, stunning in their elegance. Basic wooden geta clogs are

worn for footwear, and hair is up in bun type coiffures trimmed with metallic accessories. Geisha literally

translated means .beauty person. or .person who lives by the arts..3

The geisha emerged around the mid-Edo period (1600- 1868). The first geisha appeared at

parties in the 1600.s. Surprisingly, they were men. Beating drums and making jokes, they entertained

the guests and warriors. As time passed this type of entertaining became a female occupation. By the

1780.s female geisha out numbered men and inspired artists, writers, and musicians with their majestic

lives in the flower and willow setting. From the end of the Edo period to the present geisha have had

connections with businessmen and even with government officials. They were not only revered in Japan,

but also fascinated most of western culture. Their fees are rather exorbitantly expensive so they are

primarily reserved for the elite. Instead of being calculated by the hour it is referred to in units of sticks,

since the fee was formally figured by the lengths of time it took a stick of incense to burn down. One

hour generally consists of .four sticks,. which is the minimum amount of payment.4

Most people hear about Geisha and believe that they are all prostitutes. Geisha is an art.5 The

geisha is not a prostitute, but an entertainer trying to make a living.6 The mystic geisha, at one time

admired for purity in keeping with men, is inevitably still a source of desire.7A Geisha is a high-class

professional who exists on the same continuum as a prostitute. These women who become geisha.s not

out of love but because opportunity affords them this life. Men hire women to entertain them, and the

principal role of a geisha is to provide female companionship. At times that entails just being arm candy,

and unfortunately at other times it also involves sex.8

These women are professional hostesses in a variation. The geisha primarily entertain the higher

class. These women are extensively trained in many of the traditional Japanese arts.9 Men have sought

women of another type (instead of their wives) to entertain them in public, to break the ice of social

convention-thicker in Japan than elsewhere, to pour sake, to sing, dance, play the sansien and to make

conversation.10

The Japanese do not typically engage in business lunches, but if invited to dinner after the

formal meetings (which is likely to occur), if possible an acceptance is necessary. A nightclub, karaoke

bar, or hostess club follows dinner. For the Japanese these social interactions that take place after

business hours are all a

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