I had the opportunity to learn a little bit of Geisha’s history during class and I just got fascinated with it and would like to share what I can remember. If there are any corrections, please let me know.

Centuries ago in Japan
True Geishas are not to be mistaken as prostitutes – although some of them do have sexual relationships with their clients (?). Geishas are very highly educated women. Most of them can speak more than one language, learn the traditional tea ceremony, play numerous of instruments and learn a lot of important topics and subjects to carry on a conversation with their clients. Geishas are never to marry – if a chGeisha descides to marry, she would have to retire being a Geisha. These women were considerably very high in ranking and desired by many men due to their beauty, talent and intellegince.

Geishas are normally hired as entertainers by wealthy businessmen. Instead of having meetings in boardrooms nowadays, these businessmen will go to a geisha house for their meetings and be entertained by these women Whether it be dancing or playing instrumetns. During this time, Geisha Houses Entertainment was considered to be very expensive and are charged by “incense stick fee” which means the time frame of an incense stick to burn out.

Geisha are often raised / trained in Geisha houses – most of them do start at an early age. Some girls are sold to Geisha homes due to many reasons, some families can not afford to keep their daughters and thought that selling their daughters to these homes, they would be providing their daughters a better life and education that they can’t give. They start as a Shikomi, Maiko and full Geisha.


During the Second World War, Americans had heard that in Japan, there were these women (Geisha) that would do anything – and they thought anything. So the local prostitutes decided to dress up as Geishas and service these men. This is how the stereotyping started.Modern Geisha who choose this profession normally begin their training after junior high school, high school or even college. They also trained themselves learning traditional instruments, traditional songs, traditional dance, literature, poetry etc.

In the 1920’s there were an estimated of 80,000 Geishas, nowadays it’s an estimated 1000-2000 as it is not as popular as it used to be.

Wardrobe:
True Geishas wear very expensive Kimonos –. They wear many layers and garments and each layer can cost up to many thousands of dollars. Geishas wear the Obi (bow) on the back where as Prostitutes have a more simple Obi and wear theirs in front (due to easy removal =P). True geisha normally have the luxury of professional help to help them get dressed during this difficult process of dressing which can take over an hour! Their Kimonos normally are very bright. The more subtle the kimonos are (doesn’t mean its any less expensive) she will be the more experienced / older Geisha (teacher / onee-san)
They also wear these slippers sandals.

Hair:
Normally a wig with different accessories stuck through it.

Make-up:
White based with red lips, red/pink blush, black eyebrows and eye liner. They tend to leave a little bit of their skin around their face to create a mask like makeup. In the back of their neck, they normally leave either a “V” or “W” shape like of skin – as the Japanese men thought that the neck was the most erotic part of their body ( huh?).
Around the eyes they also like to have some red and pink as well.

I’m so overdue for contests so I thought to hold Geisha Contest. All I want is basically pictures of your makeup; you can dress it up or down. If you can send a before and after that would be awesome! Contests is open to the entire world! Just submit your pictures to contests@changingfacesbymay.com with February Contests of Geisha Contests.

***NEW*** I have EXTENDED it to February 25, 2009 9:00pm eastern time and I will pick the winner myself with some help of you readers Feb 28. Prize is going to be really good, – I’ll get creative and so shall you.


Please submit the following:
Before picture - if desire
Full face picture
Body shots: if desire
Wardrobe - not mandatory but will look amazing though!
Name
E-mail address
Applicable link or website?

New Added info:
izumi " i think the neck was considered erotic because the girls are so conservative and so covered up.. that any bare skin would give the men shivers. when they pour tea, for instance, they would show a little wrist (oo, more skin!). the kimono was also worn very high in the front and a bit lower in the back (sort of.. dipped) in order to show off the neck more. though i'm not sure WHY they chose the back of the neck :\ i'm sure there are lots of websites/books out there that can explain it better than i can :)
izumi "oh! i almost forgot. they didn't always use wigs.. before they used to grow out their hair incredibly long, then have it waxed, brushed and shaped into shape. they had to sleep on special "pillows" that touched only their neck so their hair wouldn't touch the ground or get messy!

Meet Your Geisha's Here

I'll be honest, I have recieved some images and they are pretty impressive.