Japanese womenA geisha is a woman highly trained in the art of music, dance and entertaining. Geisha is Japanese for "person of art." She spends many years learning to play various musical instruments, sing, dance and be the perfect hostess in a party of men. A geisha, when she is working, is just that: the illusion of female perfection.
Geisha were tools for men to entertain friends and business associates. The women who served as hostesses broke the
ice and flattered
the men. They had more freedom than a wife did, in that they discussed current events and politics with male guests who might include politicians and heads of state. A wife was unable to do so because her role was limited to the household.
Girls from poorer backgrounds were offered by their families for geisha training. They lived with a housemother, who had to be repaid for her investment. The geisha's career was dependent on her talent, and then on finding a rich patron to sponsor her, which relieved the housemother of the burden of her care. The geisha's role began in the 19th century.
The importance of dance in the Japanese culture and to Geisha most likely originates from ancient religious practices
. The nineteenth century saw the development of many of the dances that are now the most common dances performed by Geisha at both private parties and public events such as festivals.
Before discussing matters of appearance in Geisha, it is important to note the significance of the color red. There is a word in Japanese, ko itten, which means "touch of scarlet." The word is used as an affectionate term for women, especially Geisha girls. The use of the color red in dress and makeup is very significant to Japanese society. Red is denoted as a color of beauty and happiness. Red undergarments are thought to ward off menstrual pain and keep the female reproductive organs healthy and functioning. Red is also thought to be erotic to men. Geishas traditionally wear crimson lining under their kimono as well as bright red lipstick made from
safflower extract and red rouge, made from the petals of crimson flowers.
It is probably the only
profession in Japanese which the women are consistently ranked above the men in the profession. Geisha also allows a woman to work into old age and because of the high cultural value on this preservation of traditional art and culture gives the woman an inherent value and respect that she might otherwise be unable to obtain.
Japanese women
ice and flattered 
the men. They had more freedom than a wife did, in that they discussed current events and politics with male guests who might include politicians and heads of state. A wife was unable to do so because her role was limited to the household.
. The nineteenth century saw the development of many of the dances that are now the most common dances performed by Geisha at both private parties and public events such as festivals.
safflower extract and red rouge, made from the petals of crimson flowers.
profession in Japanese which the women are consistently ranked above the men in the profession. Geisha also allows a woman to work into old age and because of the high cultural value on this preservation of traditional art and culture gives the woman an inherent value and respect that she might otherwise be unable to obtain. 
