The Floating World (Geishas)

A detailed Summary of The Floating World (Geishas)

Geisha have been symbols of Japan to foreigners for many years. Who are

geisha? We often perceive them not to be prostitutes, but highly trained

entertainers. We cannot simply reproduce a picture of such an emblem, but to touch

the surface. These female entertainers have survived purely over the years purely

for their love of the preserving art and culture.

Saburuko (ones who served) were the earliest predecessors to geisha who

arose at the end of the seventh century. Because of social displacement, they were

forced to become wanderers who traded their sexual favors in order to survive.

>From the twelfth to the fourteenth centuries a new class of courtesans, called

shirabyoshi, emerged. Saburuko and shirabyoshi were only related to geisha in that

they were female entertainers who used their bodies freely. But geisha would not

appear without the aid of the yujo who lived in the pleasure quarters.

Around 1600 the walled-in quarters were established in order to contain the

destitutes, prostitutes, and entertainers from the streets. Large numbers of young

girls were sold by their own families who couldn’t support them, and they could not

By the 1800’s, these entertainment

(Underwood 16). The pleasure quarters were separated from the rest of the cities

Originally, geisha were all male. They performed in ways considered beneath

accompany the human voice (Underwood 52). The shamisen was first introduced

mistress. Many do stay in the quarters to become an okasan and manage their own

purpose. The love for the art motivates geisha. It has enabled them to take a strong

He would provide her with financial support to pay for expenses or even to establish

fashions throughout the quarters. As time passed, the fashions became more

“split-peach” style where hair in her chignon is split to reveal a small triangle of

And there are the kappore, or merry folk tunes. These are dependent on the

of detail in things, whether it be the intricate design of a fan, or pattern in an obi, or

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their are women with the desire to perform traditionally, there will still be geisha.

dance. The obi sash helps to keep the torso rigid. the skirt keeps legs from

At the end of a geisha’s career, one might marry or become a full time

Approximate Word count = 2426
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Miscellaneous

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