Visually, the geishas are so stunning! The make up and costumes are such beautiful art. I don't know as much about what the customs involve, so I can't make an informed decision about that just yet.

It is a very beautiful custom, aesthetically, and as long as being a geisha is a matter of choice, I see nothing wrong with it.

I'm still unclear what a geisha actually does- are they hired for regular companionship or "companionship (wink-wink nudge-nudge)"? Either way, they are beautiful, but to do that forever? and never be allowed to marry? I don't know.

mini_pixie, I could be wrong, but to my understanding it isn't prostitution, more like social companionship (dinners and such) which can become regular. I'd imagine the "wink-wink-nudge-nudge" (haaaa, love Eric Idle) would be...you know...on the side. I don't think that's the point of it.

they are beautiful! and if it is voluntary (and they can leave when they want) it should be preserved. geishas are not prostitutes... they are educated in music, japanese art, history and customs.

I think it's a cool idea to train geishas but I think they should be able to be a geisha for a set number of years and then leave the field and get married or go to work teaching Japanese history or something. And they should have some kind of retirement pension if they work a minimum of say ten years as a geisha.

Geishas are a part of the scenery in Japan. I think they keep the Japanese grounded in their history and heritage.

Well although the geisha is steeped in deep cultural tradition and ritual the premise is no different than being an escort here in the U.S. My room mate escorts on the side to make extra money and she gets offered between 2,000 and 5,000 a month just to hang on some old dudes arm and keep him company.

If it's this ladys dream to try to revive a cultural tradition I say go for it.

I think it's fabulous that a girl is willing to accept all the odd stares and laughter and stuff like that to revive an old tradition.

One of the best readings about geisha is a book by Liza Dalby entitled "Geisha." It's about her experience as the only American to become a geisha for her doctoral dissertation in Anthropology at Berekley.

I don't think it's "no different than being an escort in America". They go through intensive schooling in art, music, dance, history, etc... It seems a bit more culturally steeped than American escorts.

Even if it is an "outdated idea", it doesn't mean people can voluntarily carry it out!

make that can't* voluntarily blah blah blah...

Men are not geisha, they're hosts. Hosts and hostesses may be similar to geisha in the sense that they're paid to be entertaining companions, but they wear modern clothing and do not have the years of training in tradition and the arts as geisha. Being a host/hostess is not a respectable job, although it can be very profitable. And the majority of hosts' clients aren't actually professional women, they're hostesses. Hostesses have the money to afford it and after a night of work, they appreciate being on the side with the power.

I've lived in Japan for a number of years and have never patronized any of them. Paying for someone's attention is not interesting to me.

I agree with Jude and Jennifer.

It's their custom and if they want to save it they should go ahead. Read kickboxing geishas, that is an amazign book.

Pretty tradition!

I hate how cultures drop ancient traditions due to pressures of modern society

i totally agree with the first comment regarding the kimono and makeup. it is so visually stunning.

No pension, not allowed to get married?
Hell no!

Traditions like that,
no matter how pretty they look,
if not followed by a social safety net (pension, insurance etc)
they don't deserve being preserved!

Geisha is a traditional Japanese standard of beauty and it's a very intriguing tradition but I think it is deteriorating because times are changing. It'd be nice to keep a tradition like this alive, even if it means modernizing it a little bit. Like another user said, they should be allowed to later on get married. Tweak things a little bit for the sake of keeping the tradition alive.

the literal translation of the word "geisha" is "entertainer." it is the orientalist western view that has skewed the tradition of art, music, dance, poetry and social graces into what many believe is common prostitution. and that is simply not the case.

Men geishas? That just sounds weird!

I lived in Japan for two years, and you really need to check your facts. In Japan, there are "hostesses" (male and female) who accompany mostly businessmen and women at fancy hotels and restaurants. They wear traditional dress and depending on the place, sometimes what goes on can be reallly shady (at lower-end places, it can lead to fondling and legal prostitution).

Geishas mostly reside in Kyoto now and there entire lifestyle is centered around learning the arts, dancing, flower arrangement, and entertaining people (not just looking pretty)! It's a great tradition and honor to be an actual geisha! But "male geishas" are called "male hosts" and are not to be confused with this tradition!

Women can be geishas and "host", but hostesses are never geishas.

*their*

just read your comment, inertia. you are dead-on!

I do not believe Geishas have anything to do with Escorts. Escorts do not attend school to learn about music, dance, art or how to play a certain instrument. They wear provocative clothing. Geisha are more of entertainers. There beuatiful and do not show any form of skin besides the back of their neck or wrist when pouring something.

Geisha are not out dated but a cultural tradition.

Escorts are out dated. and gross!!!
Which make them a poor example of a women.

I know that Geisha are always fighting the stereotype of "prostitute," but with rules stating they are not allowed to marry, what other conclusions might one draw but that they are to entice men? I think the tradition is beautiful, and these are talented women (and men!) who sing, play instruments and dance, but the no marriage rule is so bizarre.

Not to be rude but the question itself is a little silly for the average American to answer. There is absolutely no American equivalent for this position and we have no way of truly understanding the geisha in current or historical context.. clearly seeing as facts in the article are wrong.

Whichever.. we do enjoy labeling things.

When I went to Kyoto, one of the great highlights was seeing geisha and maiko. It was wonderful to watch how gracefully they moved, and amazing to see this tradition in real life. (And no, they are not prostitutes.)

I think it would help if the women were either given a pension or allowed to marry — or maybe both. The former would keep them financially stable, while the latter would make things more attractive to young women.

Geisha literally translates to artist. They are highly skilled professionals. Prostitutes have imitated the geisha, but real geisha *never* get paid for sex.

I also spent time in Kyoto and had the pleasure of watching a performance by some maiko. They are very talented girls.

Geisha were also the first independent businesswomen in Japan, btw. They began as symbols of modernity and new fashion. It is only recently that they have become the protectors of tradition in Japan.

Geisha may not be allowed to marry, but they are free to leave the profession now.

I have a ton of respect for these women. I'm glad to see so many people agree with me here.

I think Geisha are extremely beautiful, I wish I could be one!!!!

I was in Gion and Kyoto in March and saw some of the Geishas. It's such a beautiful art/tradition and I hope that it will be maintained.

I think it's beautiful and these women are very talented.

If you are unsure of what they do check out this video on YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3Tr_yDdwRQ

Citizensugar, you need to check your facts, (Or Times of India needs to check theirs). There is no such thing as 'male geisha.' What you're talking about is hosts, and trust me, there is a complete difference between the two.

While I was in Japan, I got the opportunity to go to Kyoto and saw maiko (in-training). They were lovely.

Seeing as most people who lambasted the author didn't read the article, the term they used to describe these male geisha is "otoko geisha," and I'm more than a little bothered that people have become experts on saying that there is no such thing as a male geisha. Do you think Times of India made up the term? I don't think so.

It is possible for male geisha to exist and for it to be such a small number of men doing this that people in Japan may not have heard of them. And according to the article, geishas started out as men but, over time, men were outnumbered by women in the profession and are now the only gender people think of when they hear the term.

Considering that this is a country that had kabuki theater in which all roles (male and female) were played by men, why is this so difficult for people to accept? They aren't saying the men are doing the exact same things as the women who are following the geisha tradition, but so many people got so uptight about this that I had to say something.

I was under the impression that Gieshas were prostitutes, as someone mentioned above. I always knew there was a lot more to it than that, but I didn't realize it wasn't the primary job. Hmmm I'd like to re-think my answer.

Pargie- if you read the comments above, I think we've all been clear that prostitution is not a geisha's job *at all*.

I was referring to DCstar's comment "I know that Geisha are always fighting the stereotype of "prostitute,"....

I didn't know it was a stereotype, I always thought that a Geisha was Japan's version of a prostitute.

"I didn't know it was a stereotype, I always thought that a Geisha was Japan's version of a prostitute."

Nope, prostitutes are Japan's versions of prostitutes

Pretty tradition. Geisha are artists. They are judged as a moving piece of art work. It's fabulous that women still want to follow in those historical steps! If I could do it ... I so would!

It's a shame to see the tradition die out, then again, since the time has evolved (look at the pic of a geisha going online ), maybe they should tweak the rules a little bit (how about having a retirement? Benefits? etc) especially if this is a part of a culture that the Japanese doesn't want to lose.

I've always thought geisha is professional hostesses who are skilled in the art of flower arranging, dancing (traditional, I'm not talking about pole dancing or/and provocative dances), musical instruments, and supposedly very intelligent (according to the Japanese male standard) that they can hold an entertaining and stimulating conversation with the men who seek them out and etc.

As for sex, I never knew of them being paid for sex, although I have read about geishas ending up taking a lover (who's usually part of the men who solicit them) or two or whatever. What I know was it was her decision with whom she wanted to have an 'extra special' relationships with. But let's be honest, these men who become lovers with them, most likely help out financially as well...

Prostitutes in Japan is completely different than a geisha, imho.

PS I've been to Japan, but I've never encountered a geisha (I went there w/ family to visit family so it's not exactly sight-seeing or learning more about them), and I understand that it's an antiquated system now that women are starting to gain equality in such patriarchal society.

I think as a part of the Japanese culture it should be saved, but I can see how women could struggle trying to make it their profession.

Geisha's are physical artists. I think this is a great tradition, but I agree they should reap some kind of benefits. Especially if they're smart enough to learn all of that history.