In short, A Geisha is a woman, highly trained in the arts, who gets paid to entertain at parties with games, music, dance, or conversation. She must stroke the ego, and make her clients feel like they have done no wrong, can do no wrong, and will never do any wrong.

A more long winded explanation is as follows: Though it may not seem difficult, A Geiko's most important worry is that her customers are happy. Though, not in the way that most westerners believe. Contrary to popular belief, a Geisha is not a prostitute, and her job rarely involves anything more sexual than the bare skin on the back of her neck. She coddles her clients and caters to every whim with the grace and dignity of a swan, but most importantly, with wit and and a clever tongue. Beauty is treasured, but a quick- witted girl will always make her mark.

Her job is to entertain. Be that with polite yet scintillating conversation, or an elegant dance. She thrills the crowds with her presence, and an air grace that is rarely seen in today's world. Though a young Maiko relies on her looks and innocence, a mature Geiko has far more charm than some people would believe. She conveys complete attention and always finds her customers enthralling. Her biggest worry is that her patrons are always completely at ease and well taken care of. She would be a poor Geiko to let a glass go unfilled, or an ashtray un-emptied.

At a dull point during the evening a game may be proposed. A fully trained Geiko will have hundreds to choose from. One of a geisha's greatest talents is that she will never loose if she doesn't want to. Strange as it sounds, geisha are trained in all of their games just as their dancing, and other skills, and practice until they are perfect. Most games usually involve some kind of singing or dancing, or some other crazy antics designed specifically to make middle aged men feel like 5 year old boys. Tosenkyo involves throwing a paper dancing fan at a weighted target to knock it over, which is harder than it looks. Tora-Tora is a physical game of paper rock scissors, but the players are either an old woman, a hunter, or a tiger. Most games end with someone being made to drink sake as a penalty. Usually taboo subjects, are welcome at Geisha party and will send the room into fits of laughter.

The most serious portion of the night is usually when a dance is performed. A dance has to be requested before-hand to provide the proper accompaniment (drum, flute, shamisen). Geisha who will perform the music are called Jikata and dancing geisha are Tachikata. The room falls silent and the patrons sit in quiet awe. Each dance tells a story and each distinct dance move must dictate it exactly. These dance are a precise ballet of movements strewn together and are considered highly sophisticated in Japanese society.

To many patrons a Geisha party is an ideal place to strike up business proposals and trade secrets. The Geisha have always entertained the rich and powerful, and throughout history have been known for their secrecy. There have been several geisha throughout history who have broken their code of silence, and have been shunned for it. In the eyes of the community, they aren't true geisha, because a true geisha will always keeps quiet about the goings-on in the ochaya.  What is said in the Ochaya, stays in the Ochaya. The relationships in the Karyukai are based on mutual respect, trust and loyalty.

© Sofia Patterson Karyukai