Whether there are true geishas in modern Japan

Whether there are true geishas in modern Japan

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The famous geishas, this concerning symbol of ancient Japan, how many rumors and riddles it generated. So whom were and whether exist still – these mysterious women called in the people "willow flowers"?

Short history

Many are sure that the geisha – something is similar prostitutes though in Japan were engaged in this ancient craft юдзё and дзёро. Both those, and others turned in one social space and participated in the same events held in later the designated "cheerful quarters" specially allotted for accommodation юдзё. Geishas didn't live there, invited them only as "host". In translation from Japanese, "geisha" - means "the person of art", they entertained elite society songs, dances, a game on tools and that the main, conversations. The geisha and юдзё can be distinguished even on appearance: the belt at the Japanese loose woman is tied in front and simple knot that it was possible to take off a kimono not once in a day, and at the geisha – behind and so that even she unaided couldn't untie it. To them even at the level of the law it was forbidden to render such services though it was possible to have the patron and even to have from it children. But here they could marry, however, only having left the geisha's rank.

Presently

Geishas exist and now, however, because of promoting of the western society, are perceived more as echoes of the past and a tribute of tradition. Of course, later a quarter of the millennium since the beginning of the education (before in the Japanese society men got a role of "host" only), they underwent some changes, but kept the main function – to distinguished entertain people. Presence of the geisha on an action, even now, gives the special importance and shows the high level of reception. They occupy guests with an intellectual conversation, sometimes even flirting with them, forcing men to redden, and watch that near each high-ranking official the place wasn't empty.

In modern Japan the geishas remained a little – only about one thousand while a century ago them there were about tens of thousands. Their historical homeland Kyoto, the former capital of Japan where six still remained "cheerful quarters" is considered. But, with transfer of the capital in Tokyo, politicians and officials, the main source of earnings of geishas, left. Today in Kyoto there were about one hundred geishas, the others moved to the new capital. Now become geishas at own choice while earlier beggars whose families couldn't support them became them. They lead a modest life and try not to show the face to tourists. At the pictures taken by tourists there are not geishas at all, and an undershirt, their schoolgirls, or at all disguised actresses. The highest step them is occupied an eye dignity, some kind of elite. They are present at government receptions at tea houses, have to know foreign languages and to be familiar with modern literature and art. In addition an eye dignity head school of geishas in Kyoto, unique. Mysterious, attracting, in multi-colored kimonos, on wooden sandals thanks to which they so gracefully go with small steps with a difficult hairstyle, unnaturally bleached face, bright lips and the used eye shadow, geishas as though are masked. It is no wonder that it still so attracts tourists – this the mysterious, become an integral part of the Japanese culture, but unfortunately endangered profession – the geisha.

Author: «MirrorInfo» Dream Team

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