Eitaro is the only male geisha in Japan. Modern geisha have a non-feminine face: Eitaro is the only male geisha in Japan Performances and taikomochi repertoire
When you hear the word "geisha" you always imagine a beautiful Japanese woman dressed in a kimono with traditional makeup. They are a symbol of Japanese culture, just like the Honshu volcano, Hello Kitty and Nissan cars. But now imagine that you went to this country of the Rising Sun, went into a club, and a man appeared in front of you in the form of a geisha. But behind the make-up and exquisite hairstyle is not a woman, but a man.
Changed roles
Geishas are always adorable. They show performances, surrounding the attention of their customers. If earlier geishas were always women, today you can meet beautiful men who have taken on this difficult role.
Japan keeps up with the times, and often sets trends itself. Therefore, conditions have changed in some establishments: now it is not women who serve men, as it was before.
Clubs in the Kabukicho area (Tokyo) have changed the rules: now men meet the needs of women. Roland, the so-called emperor of industry in Japan, is considered the best here.
Like their female counterparts, the men live in clubs in the red light district and try to entertain customers by encouraging them to spend as much as possible. more money. This is the essence of their income. Some clubs display photos of their male favorites who made the most money in the previous month outside.
Many customers spend money on alcohol, treating the owner to it. But Roland prefers not to drink, but still manages to earn incredible amounts.
History of success
Roland began his life as a perfectly normal child. After high school, he entered the prestigious University of Tokyo, but dropped out after a week. He simply did not see himself working in a corporation for a salary of 200,000 yen (approximately 120,000 rubles), until he finally took the documents from the university. He wanted something more, so he just dropped out of university and became a male geisha.
Playing football most of his life, he acquired the athletic body needed to attract women and make them pay more and more. Like all newcomers, he had to start small, in a small club in Kabukicho.
Roland claims that at the very beginning it was very difficult for him. The main problem of all newcomers is to do everything possible so that customers begin to pay. It took Roland a year to gain valuable experience. Then he worked at the Zebra club. But the guy didn't give up. Instead of weakness, he allowed himself to adapt to the industry. Today, Roland runs one of the most popular male geisha clubs in all of Kabukicho. So far, none of his colleagues have been able to earn as much as Roland.
How much did he earn?
Birthdays are one of the biggest holidays, but not for the client, but for the owner of the club. Women spend a lot of money on champagne and brandy, which are served in huge glass decanters. Amounts spent on such a day can reach several million yen, but Roland is the only one who could earn 10 million yen per shift. This amount is equivalent to 23 million rubles (approximate amount).
According to Roland, he was able to earn such an amount in just three hours. It is worthy of respect.
Since becoming the club's manager, Roland has doubled his income from 21 million yen to 42 million. Since reputation and success are measured by the amount he brings in, it's no surprise that the guy is considered the emperor of this business. There is no one like him and he knows it. Not at all embarrassed, Roland says:
"There are two types of men in the world: me and the rest!"
Roland is an expert in the field of seduction. Having an attractive appearance and being a good listener, he is attentive to his interlocutors. Every day he spends long hours in gym to keep the body in perfect shape. He also spends a lot of money on beauty treatments every month.
Well, this successful young man working as a geisha can afford it!
Geisha - the ritual profession of the guardians of the "real Japanese spirit" originated a very long time ago and has become one of the components of Japanese culture. Unfortunately, now there are fewer and fewer people who have chosen this path, this profession can rightfully be considered endangered. So, if earlier the number of geishas reached 80,000, then in a modern country there will be no more than a thousand of them.
A curious fact that few people probably know is that originally the role of geisha belonged only to men - they worked as jesters at banquets in the entertainment districts. And the first female geisha appeared relatively recently. She was a representative of the oldest profession, the "priestess of love", Kasen in the second half of the eighteenth century.
The hero of our article is the only representative of male geisha today. This profession "passed" to him by inheritance. After the death of his mother, who worked as a geisha, Eitaro followed her example. And now he is the head of the okiya, the geisha house.
Among the visitors, this house is in good standing.
Professional hair care.
Fitting.
Makeup.
Choosing the right music.
Kimono requires careful winding. And now the geishas are almost ready to leave.
A long time ago, when I first learned that the word "geisha" is translated from Japanese as "man of art", I was surprised - why not "woman of art", but precisely a man? Did male geishas also exist?! It turns out that yes: male geisha existed, moreover, initially the profession of a geisha was specifically male.
Nowadays, male geisha are commonly referred to as taikomochi (太鼓持, Jap. taikomochi) or, more formally, hokan (幇間, Jap. ho:kan).
1. History of taikomochi
How did this profession come about?
By the beginning of the 12th century. The political system of Japan has changed: the old tribal aristocracy has lost its influence, and its place in the government of the country has been taken by the strengthened military estate - the samurai. This led to the emergence of new Buddhist movements, which were closely associated with the samurai society. One of them was founded by the monk Ippen Shonin (1239-1289) the Ji school of Buddhist doctrine of the Pure Land, which had a strong influence on the subsequent development of the culture and art of Japan. One of the famous Japanese popularizers of the Pure Land teachings was the monk Kuya, who invented the "dance prayer" to the Buddha. In the 13th century many advisers to daimyo (large feudal lords) came from this school. They were called dobosyu- "comrades", because they both gave advice and entertained their master, were experts in the tea ceremony, performed dances and played musical instruments.
By the end of the 15th century in Japan, the Sengoku period (1500 - 1575) began - "Warring States": the military leaders of the provinces fought each other for power. Doboshu have adapted to the changed realities of life and have become strategists and specialists in military stratagems. They still remained something between a wise adviser and an interesting companion, with whom it was not boring to spend time. By the 16th century they were called otogisyu or hanashishu- "storytellers", as their duties included telling stories, funny tales, maintaining a conversation. They were still versed in military strategy and fought side by side with their master in battle.
The Sengoku period ended with the victory of General Tokugawa Ieyasu (1542-1616) in 1603 and the founding of the Tokugawa Shogunate, with its capital in the city of Edo (today's Tokyo). The establishment of peace and stability in the country (largely the result of the extermination or weakening of former regional leaders) led to the fact that most of the otogishu advisers were left without a master and without work. Many of them found a new home in kuruva- high-class quarters of brothels, where artistic courtesans served merchants and other wealthy clients. The former otogishu now entertained courtesans' guests at banquets with amusing or erotic stories, and on occasion gave advice on making deals and doing business. Now they were called geisha (芸者, Jap. geysia）- i.e. "man of art", "artist", hokan - "intermediary", or taikomochi.
The word "hokan" (幇間, Jap. ho:kan) consists of the characters 幇 ho:- "help", and 間 can- "between, among people." That is, this word can be translated as "helper in relations between people", mediator". Accordingly, the task of the hokan / taikomochi is to entertain guests at banquets together with the geishas, acting as a link between guests and an intermediary between guests and geishas, and maintain the atmosphere casual fun.
Courtesan and guests (illustration for a kabuki play)
On the left - a geisha and a hokan, in the center - a courtesan laughing at them, on the right - a young samurai.
Kunisada (1786 - 1864)
"Taikomochi" (太鼓持, Japanese) taikomochi) is a more informal name for this profession, and literally means "one who carries / holds the drum." This does not mean that taikomochi are drummers: once the expression "carry the drum" meant "to flatter". (See below for more on the origin of this word.)
All three of these names began to be used from the 17th century.
In 1751 the first onna-taikomochi(a taikomochi woman) appeared at a party in one of the brothels of Shimabara (the pleasure district in Kyoto) and thereby made a lot of noise. She was nicknamed "geiko" (芸子, Jap. geiko, i.e. "artist girl"). In Kyoto, the word "geiko" is used to refer to the profession of a geisha to this day.
Initially, women who performed the functions of taikomochi were called onna-geisha- a female geisha. They quickly gained popularity and by 1780 overtook the number of geisha men, so by 1800 the name "geisha" was finally fixed only for women: in the book "Geisha: The Secret History of a Vanishing World" Lesley Downer (Lesley Downer) cites the following statistics for Tokyo's Yoshiwara pleasure quarter: in 1770 there were 16 female geisha and 31 male geisha, in 1775 - 33 women and 31 men, in 1800 - 142 women and 45 men. If before "geisha" always meant a man, and women of this profession were called onna-geisha (female geisha), now it was necessary to clarify if a man was meant: the term " otoko-geisha"(male geisha).
Taikomochi and the Geisha, 1861 (illustration for a kabuki play)
The duties of geisha - both men and women - included attending parties, keeping guests company in drinking and talking, entertaining them with dancing, singing and music. Female geisha have become even more popular than courtesans due to their artistic talents, modern looks and sophistication.
While female geisha usually entertain guests with graceful performances - dancing, singing, music, the task of male geisha is to tell stories and anecdotes, often of an erotic content, as well as playing small funny scenes, organizing games, in a word, everything which helps to make the atmosphere fun and relaxed. (It is worth recalling that the provision of sexual services has never been part of the geisha profession - neither women nor men.)
And one more clarification: otoko-geisha / hokan / taikomochi are by no means Japanese transvestites. Do not confuse them with young kagem prostitutes, who often dressed in women's clothes: taikomochi did the usual male hairstyle and wore quite a standard male costume of that time.
Three dancing hokans and a geisha (illustration for a kabuki play)
Utagawa Yoshiiki, 1864
In the middle of the 19th century at the height of the taikomochi's popularity, there were about 500 to 600 of them. In the 1920s geisha began to lose popularity, losing to more modern and Europeanized jokyu: ("cafe girls") - the forerunners of today's hostesses. This, in turn, led to a decrease in the number of taikomochi. After Japan's defeat in World War II, and due to the social and political changes that followed, the number of taikomochi continued to decline steadily. Although there are still geisha communities in Kyoto and Tokyo, in 2003 there were only five taikomochi left in Japan: four in Tokyo and one - Taikomochi Arai - in Kyoto. Unfortunately, very few girls choose the profession of a geisha for themselves, and a very small number of young people show interest in the profession of taikomochi.
Taikomochi should not be confused with another geisha-related profession, "kimono dressers", otokoshi (男氏, Jap. otokoshi). Otokoshi help geisha put on kimonos and tie obi, and also accompany geisha and maiko on certain occasions, such as during misedashi (maiko's first appearance in public), or on the day of erikae (lit. "collar change") - debut as a geisha. Otokoshi never take part in banquets or entertain guests.
2. The origin of the word "taikomochi"
Why are male geisha called "taikomochi" - i.e. literally "one who holds the drum" even though they don't play drums? There are four versions of the answer to this question.
The first version is associated with the commander Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536 -1598). In 1585 he was appointed kanpaku - regent for the emperor or chief imperial adviser. He passed this title to his adopted son Hidetsugi in 1591, and he himself received the honorary title of taiko (this word is pronounced the same as the word "drum"). Approximate Hideyoshi, who tried to flatter him ("flatter" in Japanese - mochi ageru, i.e. Literally "raise"), he was constantly referred to as "taiko". As a result taiko And mochi ageru merged into one word taikomochi, i.e. flatterer.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi
The second version goes back to the story of a skilled drummer named Jige Yazaemon, who trusted only his favorite and most talented student to hold his taiko drum while playing. Envious people called this student "drum holder" ( taiko-mochi), hinting that he is only good for dragging the drum behind his teacher.
Taiko drum
A third version can be found in Shikido Okagami (1697), a guide to the brothel districts of the Edo period. In this book, the word taikomochi is mentioned for the first time, and in the context of a pun. The author calls the carefree parties in the pleasure districts don-chan-savagi, where savagi- fun, Don- the sound of a taiko drum, and chan- ringing a bell (pronounced the same as the word "money"). The meaning of the joke is that two sides are involved in the fun: one is rich, throwing away money without measure, and the second is without money, but with a drum that is beaten to entertain the rich and lure them out of money.
Samurai with ladies and taikomochi
Torii Kiyonaga
The fourth version is associated with traditional dengaku music (lit. "music of rice fields"), which originated in the Heian era (794 - 1185). Planting rice sprouts in the field was the most important event for the peasants and was accompanied by a ritual during which men sang, danced and beat drums. Therefore, people associated with dancing, singing and fun began to be called taikomochi.
Dengaku Matsuri
Perhaps all of these versions are equally true, and they all equally led to the fact that the profession of hokan began to be called taikomochi.
Now the word "taikomochi" is rarely used in Japanese speech and has almost lost its original meaning. People who are not familiar with the history of this profession (and there are many such in modern Japan) usually understand it as a musician-drummer.
3. Performances and repertoire of taikomochi
Taikomochi - the forerunners of geishas - entertain guests so that each of them can get away from everyday worries and indulge in fun. The traditional repertoire of taikomochi is based on a number of cultural characteristics of Japan, which have come a long way in development and turned into an art of entertainment.
Leslie Downer characterizes taikomochi as party stewards whose duty it is to entertain every guest: telling jokes and erotic anecdotes, acting out skits and skits, playing games and serving sake. Such parties, like parties with geishas, can be very expensive. The book Geisha: The Secret History of a Vanishing World features an interview with Taikomochi Shichiko from Tokyo. In it he jokes that " taikomochi agete sudeno taikomochi": Men who spend all their time and money on taikomochi end up being kicked out of the house by their wives and have no choice but to go to work as taikomochi themselves. This is apparently how many became taikomochi in the past.
This drawing depicts the classic ozashiki asobi (お座敷遊び, Jap. ozashiki-asobi), a party with geisha in ochaya (お茶屋, Jap. otaya) - the tea house of Kyoto. According to the rules of ozashiki asobi, one guest is entertained by seven geishas: a geiko dancer (tachikata), three geiko who are jikata (i.e. accompanying geiko dances by playing traditional Japanese instruments and singing), two maiko and one taikomochi.
These photos depict one of Taikomochi Arai's performances: here he alternately depicts three old women meeting at a temple and discussing the pain they experienced long ago at the loss of their virginity. The youngest, 77, describes the pain as unbearable, the 88-year-old says it felt like itching, and the oldest, 99, can't help remembering any pain at all.
Hokan from Yoshiwara performing ashi-odori (lit. "foot dance")
Leslie Downer tells how she was surprised by a parody sketch from the repertoire of Taikomochi Shichiko - one of the classic erotic sketches. Taikomochi talking to a dummy given(guest) who supposedly wants to make love to him. Taikomochi starts explaining that he is not a homosexual and that his profession is a geisha, but the fake danna shows persistence and impatience. The taikomochi then gives up and agrees to satisfy the client. They retire behind the screen, and, partially hidden from the audience by it, they act out a sexual act - with groans, groans and rolling eyes. The taikomochi is then allegedly "wiped" with a napkin. During this performance, the audience rolls with laughter: everyone present knows that this is a joke, and understand that it ridicules the always willingness of geishas and taikomochi to please customers. Of course, geisha and taikomochi don't go that far, but that's why this classic erotic scene amuses the Japanese so much.
Taikomochi Yugentei entertains guests at a banquet
Why do taikomochi focus on erotic humor in their performances?
Japan, except in recent years, has always been an agrarian country, where rice was the equivalent of money, and the harvest was the main concern - because if you can not stock up for the winter, people will be doomed to starvation. Harvest occurs through the irrigation of the earth with rain, flowering and pollination of plants, which, more generally, is an act of love between the male and female principles. As a result of the copulation of natural forces, the earth bears fruit, food appears, which means an opportunity to make reserves, get a source of food for future years and pass it on to new generations, thereby ensuring their prosperity and prosperity. Therefore, in the old days, the Japanese considered sexual activity a wonderful and important thing. Unlike Western culture, this sphere of human life did not have negative connotations due to religion or morality. Erotica, sex had an almost sacred status and were associated with well-being and happiness.
Kimono design sometimes worn by Yugentei taikomochi
In ancient Japan, the work of the peasant community was harsh and difficult, so from time to time the peasants held holidays to "let off steam" and mark the cessation of certain seasonal work. On such days, people left their usual seriousness and had fun from the heart: they drank, ate delicious food, gaining strength for new working days. The art of telling erotic stories and acting out small performances, which originated during such festivities, was passed down from generation to generation and eventually became part of the taikomochi profession.
Mysterious and attractive, invariably well-groomed and beautifully dressed, in silk kimonos and with amazing hairstyles - Japanese geishas never cease to admire western world. With whom only their profession is not compared: with a toastmaster, with girls from escort services, and sometimes simply with women of easy virtue.
TodayAmateur. mediawill understand the history of this amazing tradition and try to find out who the geisha really are.
When did geishas appear?
The history of geishas goes back to the 17th century, when the first representatives of this profession appeared in the cities of Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo. No, no, there is no typo here, namely representatives: initially, surprisingly, men acted as geishas. Most often, these were artists of the traditional Japanese Kabuki theater, who dressed up as jesters and entertained prostitutes at feasts.
Initially, men acted as geishas.
This is probably why the word "geisha", consisting of two characters in Japanese, literally translates as "man of art." It is obvious that geishas have a close connection with representatives of the most ancient profession, but initially it is still not the same thing.
Kabuki theater. Traditionally, all roles are played by men.
The first female geisha is Kasen of Yoshiwara. In 1761, she broke with her work as a prostitute, paid off her debts, and officially became a geisha. At the same time, the division of geishas into those who only entertained guests with their talents, the so-called "white geishas", and those who slept with clients, they were called "tipping geishas", appeared. A little later, the law forbade geisha to engage in prostitution, but many still continued to earn money in this way.
The first female geisha is Kasen of Yoshiwara.
GeishaVScourtesans
Errors in the perception of the image of geishas arise in the Western mind due to popular, but generally factually inaccurate books, such as Memoirs of a Geisha. In general, the "relationship" between geishas and prostitutes is quite complex. It is believed that a geisha should only entertain guests - hold banquets and holidays, meet guests in tea houses, entertaining them with conversation, playing musical instruments and dancing, and conduct tea ceremonies.
A modern geisha can be ordered to accompany a banquet
A modern geisha can be ordered to accompany a banquet or theater, but ordinary geisha do not provide additional services. This is sometimes done by "onsen-geisha" - girls who lack skill. In the famous novel by Yasunari Kawabata "Snow Country" such a geisha is described. In addition, the official geisha may have a "danna". This is a kind of patron of a woman, often a lover, from whom a geisha has children. Danna pays for the outfits of the geisha, helps her look for influential clients. Sometimes a danna can be just a patron of the arts, that is, there is no love relationship between him and a geisha.
Geisha dancing
Differences in knots and studs
A real geisha from a yujo (a woman selling the body) can also be distinguished externally. A geisha's kimono is tied at the back with a complex beautiful knot that can neither be untied nor tied without outside help. Geisha make-up and put on kimonos are also done with the help of specially trained people or students in their home. Courtesans, on the other hand, dress more simply, their kimono is tied with a simple knot in the front, which is easy to tie and untie several times a day. In addition, depending on the status, the decorations in the hairstyles of prostitutes also varied: a different number of hairpins with various pendants and combs, while geisha were allowed to wear only one simple comb and hairpin.
A geisha kimono is tied in the back with a large intricate knot
A geisha kimono is tied in the back with a large intricate knot
Geisha training
Previously, the girl ended up in the okiya, the house of geishas, in her childhood, where she was often sold by poor parents. Now, according to the law, girls must receive a certificate of secondary education, and only after 15 years can they go to work for geishas. In a geisha's house, girls become essentially maids, doing the cleaning. A little later, they become assistants to senior geishas.
Geisha continue to learn throughout their lives
In parallel with this, girls are being trained: they attend geisha classes that are dedicated to music, dance, ikebana, painting and other things that will help the geisha entertain the client. In addition, all geisha are required to understand politics and current events, because sometimes you have to maintain a conversation with high-ranking officials. Geisha continue to learn throughout their lives.
Geisha in training
After six months, girls take an exam and go through a kind of initiation ceremony called “misedashi”. Since then, the girls officially receive the title of "maiko", that is, geisha students. In addition, each maiko gets an older sister, a kind of mentor who helps her in her studies, and when the younger sister starts her career, she helps to find clients. The success of the future geisha depends on the influence of the elder sister. Often the older geisha of the house becomes the elder sister. To create conditional ties of kinship, a special ceremony is held, which has a close connection with wedding traditions. Often the younger sister is compared with the bride, and the older sister with the groom.
Retirement from the profession
Of course, a woman can stop being a geisha, because this, in fact, is exactly the same profession as any other, and when entering an okiya, girls enter into a contract. The tradition of the departure holiday was borrowed by geishas from the quarters of prostitutes, where a woman's exit from prostitution was made when she paid off her debts and became a free woman.
The work of a geisha is exactly the same profession as any other.
When a geisha leaves her home due to old age or marriage, she sends all her teachers, friends and clients a gift in the form of a box of boiled rice.
Now the profession of a geisha is no longer so popular, because the traditions, the keepers of which they are considered to be, are already outdated. But nevertheless, from year to year, girls still appear who want to connect their lives with this unusual occupation.
Ekaterina Astafieva
The idea that a geisha is an ordinary prostitute, only Japanese, appeared immediately after the Second World War, when the country was flooded with occupying troops. The brave American soldiers, going on leave, constantly hunted for booze and sexual pleasures. Not very educated, not knowing the language and not used to immersing themselves in a foreign culture, but young and full of testosterone, they quickly turned the word "geisha" into a synonym for a call girl. Local pimps, of course, did not object to them.
In fact, everything is not quite right. Or, more accurately, not at all. The first mention of geisha dates back to the XIV-XV centuries. In Japanese, "gei" means "art" and "Xia" means "person." Thus, geisha literally means "artist". So called people who entertained guests at banquets. Initially, these were men from humble samurai families.
After the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu united the country at the very beginning of the 17th century and moved the capital from Kyoto to Edo (today's Tokyo), he began to build roads - wide and convenient tracts for movement. The first and most important connected the two main cities, more than 500 kilometers apart. Stations were equipped on it every thirty kilometers, where one could rest and spend the night. Tea houses sprang up very quickly there. To increase the popularity of their establishments, the owners began to hire beautiful and smart girls. Peasant women were not suitable for this, but at that time there were many representatives of samurai families on the market. Before Tokugawa pacified the rebellious clans, a huge number of samurai died in civil strife. No one was going to support their wives, sisters and daughters. In order to survive, women willingly settled in establishments on the highways.
Noble girls, trained in good manners, able to keep up the conversation, able to dance and play musical instruments, quickly gained popularity. Now they are called geishas. Other ladies could really glorify their institution. Japanese guidebooks of the 17th-19th centuries even indicated which tea houses you should definitely look into for pleasant leisure. It wasn't about sex, though. Geisha sold their art. For prostitutes, of whom there were also many, another term was assigned. They were called girls who impose rice.
The best geisha, reputedly, worked at the very last station in Kyoto. It was there that the famous Gion tea district grew up, where a closed geisha class still exists.
Under Tokugawa and his descendants, peace reigned in the country for 250 years. The military class ceased to decline, and as a result, the influx of samurai women into tea houses stopped. In order to survive, the corporation of geishas, for whom the demand was still huge, developed strict rules for internal reproduction.
An experienced old geisha became a mother-san, and in her subordination were several older and younger "sisters", whom she taught the profession. Beautiful and promising girls aged 5 to 9 years old were now bought from peasants and fishermen. For all involved in the process, this proved to be the ideal solution. In peasant families, it was not customary to protect themselves, many children were born, but not everyone had enough food. Therefore, until the Meiji era in Japan, there was a custom of "thinning", when extra mouths, especially girls, were purposefully disposed of.
For a commoner, becoming a geisha meant pulling out a lucky ticket. But life in the tea houses was quite harsh - the strictest discipline, grueling training, lack of personal freedom. All the "sisters" were fully supported by mom-san. She fed them, dressed them (by the way, the kimono cost fabulous money) and taught them everything. If the girl did not live up to expectations, she was driven away, and her further fate was unenviable. If she did not die of hunger under the fence, then she inevitably became a prostitute. She could no longer return to her family.
For several decades, each "sister" had to work off everything that mother-san spent on her. But the demand for geisha services was huge, and they paid well for it. Only rich and noble feudal lords could afford to invite them to dinner, who, while having a good time, solved their business and political issues. It was then that a very important rule for the corporate culture of geishas was formed - under no circumstances should you tell what happened at the banquet. This principle is sacredly observed to this day. Almost…
When the younger "sister" was 13 years old, mom-san could sell her virginity to a wealthy philanthropist. Again, it was not about one-time sex. The patron paid a hefty sum to the owner of the tea house to cover her expenses, and subsequently took on the geisha for full support. The same was true for adult "sisters". The redeemed geisha acquired the status of a mistress, received a good house and a solid content, and was well received in the circles of the political and military elite.
Today, girls aged 15-16 become geishas. They come to the tea house, having previously received consent from their parents. The rules of life in a corporation are no longer so strict, but you can’t call them easy either. Girls follow a strict regimen, rehearse daily, learn manners, master musical instruments, learn traditional dances, the performance of which requires incredible endurance. They are forbidden to use computers, and until the age of 25 they cannot even have a mobile phone. Once a week, girls do intricate hairstyles. In order not to disturb the laying, they sleep reclining with their heads resting on a special wooden stand. That's still a pleasure. But the game is definitely worth the candle.
You can’t get into the tea house from the outside, no matter how much money you offer. Entry is possible only on the recommendation of someone who is already accepted there. The Japanese value older geishas above all, foreigners value those who are younger, even if they have not reached the heights of skill.
Since the tea house is practically inaccessible to tourists, geishas are invited to the restaurant by prior arrangement. Usually three craftswomen are invited at once - a very experienced older "sister", her younger ward and a musician girl. A special lunch will cost about $ 150 per person, and you pay for alcohol separately. A foreigner will inevitably need an interpreter, because the "sisters" hardly speak English, but they can express themselves in the Kyoto dialect. Feel free to add another hundred and fifty for translation and the same amount for food, because otherwise the translator does not work. Finally, for a two-hour chat with a geisha, regardless of her age and experience, you will have to pay another 600 dollars. In total, a very impressive amount runs into the circle. At the same time, no sex, only pleasant conversation, music and dancing. In one evening, each geisha attends several banquets. This is really hard work, but she earns from 5 to 10 thousand dollars a month.
Today there are geisha in Kyoto, Tokyo, Kanazawa and some other cities. The largest corporation, with about 200 craftswomen and about 80 more apprentices, is located in Kyoto. In Tokyo there are about 250 of them, and in Kanazawa there are only 40-odd. In other places, even less - from 4 to 12 people. But some hundred years ago, there were more than 80 thousand of them throughout the country. By the way, there are no tea houses in Tokyo, all the girls live in their apartments and just come for dinner. Provided that you are lucky to contact them, you will be able to agree (for this you still need to find the right intermediary!), And there is an open window in their busy schedule.
Note: In different parts of Japan, when thermal springs, popular with tourists, there are so-called geisha associations. But this should not be misleading. In fact, we are talking about the most ordinary hostesses in kimonos, who are not averse to providing intimate services for an additional fee.
By the age of forty, the “sister” usually recoups the money invested in her and, in principle, can leave the tea house to open her own business. Other craftswomen manage to make a brilliant career and earn up to 100 thousand dollars a month. But, of course, not all. The practice of buying a geisha from mother-san also persists. Therefore, as in ancient times, other influential people can afford to have such exceptional mistresses. Finally, a geisha is not forbidden to marry, but then she loses the right to a profession. Therefore, modern geisha prefer not to fetter themselves by marriage.
The golden rule of silence is also preserved. IN recent history it was violated only once, but seriously damaged the reputation of the entire industry. The offender turned out to be ... an American geisha, who mentioned in an interview about how she worked out a banquet for a very famous Japanese corporation. In the last decades of the last century, foreigners began to work in tea houses. But after the scandal that broke out, this practice was immediately put an end to.
Geisha are an essential element of modern Japanese culture, which, despite a century and a half of Westernization, is still committed to tradition. But looking at all this from the outside, it is difficult to get rid of the feeling that you are dealing with sublimation. In a traditional society, which in addition has an island specificity, sexual life has historically been subject to strict regulation. But in a striking way, sexual barriers exist in modern Japan, although their nature is different.
Over the past decades, many Japanese women choose not a family, as before, but a career. They have achieved financial independence, traveled, married late, had children late, if at all.
Japanese men, who have always dominated society, found themselves in an unusual position for themselves, confused. The gender pendulum has swung the other way. Now women decide who to meet, how often to do it, and whether to do it at all. After the first date, they can easily give the boyfriend a turn. And for a man, this becomes a severe psychological trauma. He acutely feels that he is no longer a leader and, in addition, "loses face."
Inwardly fearing this, many avoid dating, preferring to spend time at work in the office or spend it with same-sex friends, or even alone. According to statistics, up to 20 percent of men under the age of 24 remain virgins. Many have forgotten how to get acquainted. Despite the fact that the value of the family in Japan is not only not disputed, but remains of high importance.
Someone is looking for a way out in visiting the so-called dating parties, where people come with a specific desire to find a partner. If not for marriage, then at least for a long-term relationship. The demand for such services is so great that it is simply impossible to get there. First you need to join the club by submitting a bunch of applications and paying an impressive fee ranging from 700 to 2200 dollars. Added to this is a monthly fee of $100 to $300. Participants pay separately for visiting each party. While the result is not guaranteed. Well, if everything ends well and the members of the club find their soul mate, the club receives about another $ 2,000 in commission. It would seem much easier, faster and cheaper to go to some bar, where there are always a lot of free girls. An no.
But what about sex? Yes, yes, the same one - impressive and without obligations? For this they go to another place, but again, only those lucky ones who have money. Prostitution in Japan has been officially banned since 1947, but local priestesses of love and their patrons have found an opportunity to practice their craft without breaking the law. The fact is that paid sex with penetration is considered prostitution in the Land of the Rising Sun. The authorities turn a blind eye to everything else.
This has given rise to a huge number of massage ("pink") salons, the facades of which are decorated with very unambiguous pictures. And the girls at the entrance will clearly explain what's what. There is also the so-called "home delivery of health" - everything is the same, only they come to you.
Massage is done in all possible ways and parts of the body, often in a soapy bath, bringing the client to orgasm as many times as he has enough strength within a couple of hours. The issue price is from 60 to 150 dollars per session. There are plenty of such establishments in every major city. In Tokyo, they are concentrated in the Kabukichō quarter in eastern Shinjuku, right next to the huge railway hub through which 4 million people pass daily. However, it should be remembered that many local establishments hold yakuza. Therefore, it is not safe for a careless foreigner there. For unordered beer, they can easily roll out a bill of 500 bucks, and for refusing to pay, they can get pretty beat up.
But the limit of the desires of single Japanese men are the so-called "soapy lands", where a session will cost 300 bucks, and for foreigners three times more expensive. These establishments are somewhat reminiscent of Turkish baths, only with girls. The apotheosis of the visit is the "struggle" on an inflatable mattress generously smeared with oil. It is almost impossible to stay on it, so you have to take extra efforts. In private conversations with a Lenta.ru correspondent, eyewitnesses have repeatedly admitted that during such a “fight” they experienced the strongest sexual shock in their lives. "Soaplands" - the most real brothels. But they pay taxes, and of course they have bathtubs, so they don't check them...