Kyoto, Japan and a Geisha Tea Party

The Geisha is often misunderstood in the United States. Unlike some may believe she is not a prostitute, but rather, a female entertainer that performs classical music and dance. Visiting a Geisha house in Tokyo can be quite a memorable experience.

Modern geisha still live in traditional geisha houses called okiya in areas called hanamachi particularly during their apprenticeship. Many experienced geisha are successful enough choose to live independently. The elegant, high-culture world that geisha are a part of is called karyukai.

Young women who wish to become geisha now most often begin their training after completing junior high school or even high school or college, with many women beginning their careers in adulthood. Geisha still study traditional instruments like the shamisen, shakuhachi (bamboo flute), and drums, as well as traditional songs, Japanese traditional dance, tea ceremony, literature and poetry. By watching other geisha, and with the assistance of the owner of the geisha house, apprentices also become skilled in the complex traditions surrounding selecting and wearing kimono, and in dealing with clients.

Kyoto is considered by many to be where the geisha tradition is the strongest today, including Gion Kobu. The geisha in these districts are known as geiko. The Tokyo hanamachi of Shimbashi, Asakusa and Kagurazaka are also well known.

For more info on Japanese language and culture go to:

http://saturnufo.rjapanese.hop.clickbank.net/