week 12

Geisha

A geisha is a Japanese traditional artist, whose work constitutes, after learning that could be both from age 15 or kindergarten, in entertaining at parties, meetings or banquets as exclusively male or female and mixed. Geisha began their work cleaning the houses of other geishas and performing different tasks, then the girl who wants to become a geisha must pass a test of dance to continue with the next step.

The appearance of a geisha is amazing, their makeup, wardrobe and hairstyle are a different culture, it includes a series of rules that these women must meet to be part of this social circle.

The traditional makeup of the geisha apprentices consists of a White base originally made of lead, the use of read lipstick and red and black trim around the eyes and eyebrows.  The makeup is applied before to avoid dirtying the kimono dress. First, a substance of oil or wax called bintsuke - abura, is applied to the skin. Then, rice powder is mixed with water to form a paste that is applied with a brush of bamboo. The white makeup covers the face, neck, chest and hands, with two or three areas unpainted (forming a "W" or "V") near the nape, to accentuate this erotic area, and an outdoor area of skin around the hair, which creates the illusion of a mask. The "W" is used with the formal kimono (black).

Once the base is applied, a sponge is spent on the face, neck, chest, neck to absorb excess moisture and achieve uniformity at the base. Then the eyes and eyebrows are highlighted. Traditionally used charcoal, but nowadays modern cosmetics are used. The eyebrows and the edge of the eyes are painted black; the maiko also used red around the eyes. The lips are painted with a  small brush simulating an outline of cordate, sensual lips by high and very round, with small variations from district to district. The color comes in a small stick that is mixed with water. Crystallized sugar is added to give shine to the lips.

Geisha always wear Kimono. The Kimono are colorful and extravagant. Older Geisha wear more muted designs and styles. As they are advancing age and level in the profession, the sleeves become tomesode, shorter and darker color and more elegant cut. The geisha wear low Wood and lacquer sole sandals, called zori and idoor wear only tabi (divided into fingers socks). In snowy areas ehe geishas used wooden clogs, called geta. On the other hand, the kimono of the geico are discrete, uniform and with a very simple print. The fori are shoter and reach the height of the hips.

The Geisha must always be single or can be removed from their work after marriage. Their  work as a geisha does not include sexual activity and is not paid for sex but she can choose this option out of the role as such. The lives of these women are very interesting, there is still this culture in Japan.

Currently  the geishas have returned to their work. This 21st century brought them new employment since they are not wrong views and tradition not only this in Japan has also reached other parts of the world. Geisha ceremony remains the same, learn poetry, theatre, painting, playing the Shamisen, shoulders or sticks drum, flute, dance and the tea ceremony.

Many Geishas are students and with this work they can paid their studies, They can´t have boyfriends, the spectacle of a Geisha costs $2,000 per few hours, they live together as a brotherhood, they have a silence pact the men can speak with them and the Geisha can not report nothing.

The tea ceremony is very beautiful  the geishas wear  the typical clothing and the guests wear black or white kimonos, the geishas playing the Shamisen during the ceremony and they dance around of the guests. You can see the videos in youtube of the tea ceremony everything is peaceful, the men only see and admire the beautiful culture and the elegance of women.

            This culture is amazing and if I were to go to Japan I would like to know Geishas and I want to take  picture with this women.