The Art of Allure

Travel back through history to a time when beauty, sensuality, artistic accomplishment and eloquence were embodied by one word: Geisha. Refined and exalted, they set fashionable trends and were the epitome of the social graces. For centuries, their captivating images have retained an aura of mystery and intrigue. Though their role in contemporary society has narrowed, perhaps they have endured as a fascinating reflection of the polarity of women's roles in Japanese culture.

The term Geisha initially referred to any person, male or female, whose profession was based upon artistic training and accomplishment. They held an elite position in the hierarchy of professional entertainers, i.e. theater actors, sumo wrestlers, puppeteers and courtesans, though at times a fine line separated them from the latter. Similar to the age-joro, the' highest-ranking courtesans, years were spent on their education and grooming.

The origin of the geisha can be traced to early seventeenth century Japan. The Tokugawa Shogunate (1600-1868) had succeeded in unifying the country, bringing the various warring daimyo (feudal lords) under a strict and total dictatorship. The official, as well as private affairs of every citizen were governed by rigid laws to ensure stability, peace and the status quo. Virtually all foreign trade and contact was prohibited, except for a small colony of Dutch and Chinese, on a small island off Nagasaki.

Physical isolation assisted the bakufu (feudal government) in controlling any potential political rivals, and eliminating all outside or foreign int1uences. The shogunate required that all daimyo establish an additional residence in designated cities, thus weakening their financial power. Transportation was tightly controlled. Only the aristocracy, government officials, couriers and samurai were permitted to use horses or wheeled carriers, and travel outside of Japan was forbidden on penalty of death.

The rise of great urban centers brought a major shift of prosperity among the classes. The samurai, who carried out the political and administrative authority of the shogunate, found their elite social status challenged by the tighter budgets of the daimyo, While the peasants remained at the second tier, they could not afford the luxuries of city life. Ranking third, the artisans experienced an increase in demand for their talents. The chanin, or townsmen, saw new opportunities for commerce. Composed mainly of merchants, restaurateurs and entertainers, they were at the bottom level of the system.

Though devoid of any power or rights, the townspeople did manage to engage in a few diversions from an otherwise mundane existence. The government established desi~ated "Pleasure Quarters" at the ed~e of each city, where those with newly acquired wealth could indulge themselves, and thus ensured this "new money" would have limited effect on the social order. These areas became virtual cities within cities, with access restrictions and their own codes of behavior. The arts flourished and the "Floating World", where one lived only for the moment, was born.

The evolution of the Kabuki Theater, which began cl600, played an important role in the development of city life, Formally educated, high-class courtesans in Kyoto soon took to the stage, creating public disturbances among rivaling males. By 1629, the authorities were forced to ban all female performers from the theater, and since then only male actors have been used for the entire cast. The geisha, as defined by modern context, no doubt rose as an independent branch from these courtesans.

By the middle of the 1700's, the institution of the geisha was firmly established. Like the tayu, the highest level of the courtesans, their artistic talents were in such demand that they were usually free to choose or reject a lover. While sex was readily available at numerous brothels, special brokers were required for the introductions necessary to even meet a true courtesan or geisha. Courtesans provided social companionship and entertainment outside of the home, where wives were excluded, Their favors might be available to a few wealthy patrons. Geisha were sophisticated artisans, their clientele attended to like aristocracy, Though their services did not include intimacy, they often chose one "husband", or danna. Men, with arranged marriages and little say over the rest of their lives, came looking for one of the few choices they did have. Romance, love, a sweetheart (of either sex), or an evening of culture and art with a beautiful companion became the raison d' etre in the "Floating World".