The World
of the Geisha

Like many Asian countries, Japan has imported two extraordinarily unsuccessful ideas from the West. First, that marriage should be based on romantic love. Second, that marital infidelity is grounds for divorce if not damnation. Marriage, when it was not purely an economic contract between families, was based upon the necessity of producing and supporting children. The husband won the bread that the wife then distributed; and the husband was expected and even encouraged to seek amour and more elsewhere. According to the system's logic, no one woman can be an angel with the children, a maid in the kitchen, a whore in the bedroom, and a wit in the salon.

No doubt the system has its faults as a solution to the problem of the sexes. It scoffs at gender equality and tends to fester with ugly jealousies. But it also has its virtues. It accounts for the fact that men and women, for the time being anyway, are endowed with markedly different equipment and instructions for its proper use. And Asia has a far lower rate of divorce than the West.

The function of the geisha is to provide men with learned but carefree conversation, song and dance, and cup after cup of sake. Unlike the common lot of prostitutes, they are expected to receive rigorous training in their gei, or "art". Their dress is elaborate and expensive, and thus their services do not come cheap. And sex is not a service, or at any rate not the foremost service, that they offer. Though Western civilization has occasionally seen figures similar to the geisha - the Greek hetaerae and the French femmes savantes -- there is no modern Western equivalent.

It would be easy to see the geisha as a potent symbol of the patriarchal or depraved nature of Asian societies. But two Western women, Liza Dalby and Lesley Downer, both authors of books titled Geisha, succeed in transcending such a simple condemnation. Both women take pains to anticipate the objections of feminists as well as puritans.

Downer, a Briton with an unfortunate surname, often admits that Anglo-Saxon sensibilities are an austere deviation from the groovy global norm, while the American Dalby uses her own straitlaced homeland for contrast. Still, Downer bristles a little. One of her favorite words is "louche", a rather pretentious synonym for disreputable or indecent; she is frequently "aghast." When a plucky band of geisha torture her with their second-hand cigarette smoke, she worries as every good immortal should. Dalby smokes, or smoked (her book was originally published in 1983, and was apparently reissued to meet the demand created by Golden's novel); and she has the added advantage of having been the only non-Japanese geisha, ever. Her work is part anthropology, part autobiography; Downer's is a mix of history and journalism.

The Japanese have earned a reputation as sober, hard-working people. But they play equally hard, and some of them are far from sober. Geisha are expected to hold their drink with the fortitude of Hemingway while their clients drink themselves under prohibitively low tables -- and the quicker, the better. Dalby describes a drinking game involving rounds of rock-scissors-paper, in which the loser must gulp a cup of sake (which is usually about 30 proof.) But don't call your travel agent yet! There are proprieties to be observed. Solitary drinkers are aberrant. So are the abstemious among the already drunk. And a drunk geisha is just as gauche as a sober one: witness Kawabata's lush in Snow Country.

Japanese sexual attitudes are, or were, marked by a similar mixture of abandon and restraint. Before the advent of stodgy God-fearing foreigners, the Japanese condoned prostitution, naked communal bathing, and, at least as Downer has it, homosexuality. Nor did they regard one's sexual habits as a matter for public scrutiny. Downer cites the saying "There's no personality below the navel": what a person does with his nether parts should not decide whether he is a person of parts.

A great deal of this liberality has been eroded by Japan's misguided efforts to appear civilized to the "hairy barbarians" of the West. Modern obscenity laws, for example, require that pubic hair appearing in pornographic magazines be blacked out. And more than one recent politician has been toppled by the disclosure of his sexual indiscretions. But in some ways the Japanese were more prudish to begin with. Kissing, for instance, was seen as an intimate, strictly private act.

Legal prostitution was officially abolished in 1957, although of course it continues to be practiced. Recently Time Asia dedicated an article to Japan's seeming rise in schoolgirl prostitution, although the schoolgirls in question were rather complacent about it. According to Dalby, from 1600 to 1867 "prostitution was legal, but only if properly licensed and controlled." Ironically some European countries are now reverting to this policy in the interest of public health.

The first geisha were men and appeared as early as the 1600s. When the first female geisha appeared in 1750, they constituted a threat to the established purveyors of men's entertainment, like the yujo, or "women of pleasure." For this reason the geisha were banned from having sexual relations with their customers.

But the ban was bent, as Dalby here explains:  "shiro (white) geisha were purely entertainers, as opposed to korobi geisha, who 'tumbled' for guests; kido (gate) geisha stood at the entrances to carnivals, playing their shamisens to attract business, whereas joro (whore) geisha were probably not hired for their musical skills. Around 1770, the former dancing girls (odoriko) of the feudal towns began to be called machi geisha...[who] in turn had other nicknames, such as neko, 'cat,' a word that could be written with characters implying the possibility of pussy...."

The status quo was abolished well before prostitution. In 1947, the United States drafted Japan's new constitution. To a degree that may surprise exhausted American advocates of ERA, the Japanese constitution stressed equality of the sexes. Japanese women were given the vote and arranged marriages were given the boot. Of course, women had always exercised indirect political power by whispering into the ears of their sake-soaked samurai.

"The essence of the feminine ideal," Downer writes mischievously, "is to make a man think that he is the one who has the brilliant ideas." The red-light districts were the clandestine headquarters of many of Japan's revolutionary movements, and geisha, renowned for their secrecy, often served as their guardians and confidantes. "The notion of a geisha as simpering slave to male whim," writes Dalby, "is an absurd stereotype found outside Japan."

Despite legal equality, the Japanese genders maintain widely disparate roles. The geisha perseveres, and for good reason: the lifestyle has its charms. For one, being a geisha seems to be more fun than being a wife. "I'd rather be here than be an old lady whose children have gone off and married," declares a geisha in Dalby's book, "and be stuck at home now with a crotchety old husband." Many women choose the lifestyle because they can thereby pursue an interest in a traditional art. "They are among the few Japanese women," writes Dalby, "who have managed to attain economic self-sufficiency and positions of authority and influence on their own merits."

Dalby stops short of calling them feminists, but if a feminist is simply a woman who, rather than attempting to imitate men, derives a certain power from her essential femininity, then the label may be an apt one. (Forget for the moment that certain academics have said femininity is not essential but "constructed"; and that were it not for our machinations, little girls everywhere would lift weights and fly fighter planes, and little boys would replenish empty ice trays and learn how to listen.)

Feminists or not, the geisha aim at a cultivation of harmony and pleasure. They are social lubricants made flesh. And central to their ethic is the notion of ukiyo, originally a Buddhist term connoting the transitory nature of existence. But ukiyo evolved into the idea that, as Dalby writes, "life may be disagreeable and impermanent, but as we have to live it anyway, we might as well enjoy it and indulge in what worldly pleasures there are." It is a sophisticated hedonism born of pessimism, but with a very Eastern metaphysical basis: ukiyo may be translated as "floating world."

Both geisha books are comprehensive accounts of a world that Downer thinks is vanishing and that Dalby thinks is merely at ebb. Both books also offer a picture of Japanese culture as a whole. From Dalby we learn that sake is an essential part of the Japanese marriage ceremony; that 'boyfriend' in Japanese is boifurendo; that Japanese humor relies greatly on punning; and that the Japanese may have multiple names, one for each of their social roles. As a woman, Dalby is known as Kikuko; but as a geisha she goes by Ichigiku.

Downer discusses gaman, the Japanese ideal of enduring present circumstances rather than modifying or complaining about them. And she provides an explanation for why so many of Kawabata's characters are endlessly coughing blood: around his time, tuberculosis "caused 50 percent of deaths from illness in Japan".

"No one forces a geisha to do what she doesn't want to," announces Kawabata's onsen geisha. "It's entirely up to the geisha herself." This would be inspiring if it were true. But one thing that geisha are, or were, forced to do is undergo mizu age, or "ritual deflowering." And stealing their chrysanthemums is not what is meant. In mizu age, a trusted man is enlisted to break the maidenhead of a maiko, or apprentice geisha. Dalby again rushes to defend the practice: after all, she says, is this any worse than losing your virginity to some horny, clumsy adolescent in the back seat of a Chevy? Ladies?

It is an object of infinite wonder that human beings, so very similar in so many ways, have devised so many different ways of making life more than what it is at bottom, which according to T.S. Eliot is "Birth, and copulation, and death. / That's all, that's all, that's all, that's all."

When future civilizations dig through the ugly rubble we have left behind, it is to be hoped that they will discover one of the famous geisha woodcuts. For then they will have to admit that some of us knew briefly what was meant by elegance or - do I dare to utter a double entendre? - class.  

It Is YOUR Turn
To See The Most Exciting Places Found On The Earth.

The United States  *  Alaska  *  Canada  *  Iceland  *  Africa  *  Pakistan  * The Best vacations in India  *  South America  *  Europe  *  The Far East  *  Adventure  * Travel in South America, one century ago  *   Safe vacations in Jaimaca  * Mexico *  Korea  * Iran on a bicycle  *  Watching Wild Tigers In India *  Indian History * 

And, be sure to visit the most Peaceful Places on Earth

Bay Islands (near Honduras)  *  England and the United Kingdom  *  Australia  *  New Zealand  *  Amsterdam Holland  *  Spain  *  crystals  *  camping  *  horses  *  birds  *  Parks  *  cars * travel shop  *  Your Vacation World  *  Canada is a magnificent neighbor, so neighborly we almost forget them in that primal urge to SEE THE WORLD!  *Castles of the world  *  Famous Waterfalls of the World  *  The Public Fountains of Rome  *  East Iceland  *

World travelers should remember the threat of malaria when making their plans. Estimates show that around 107 territories present a major risk for contracting the disease. These territories include: Africa, Asia (including the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East), parts of Eastern Europe, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Columbia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Panama, parts of Central America -- and many islands in the South Pacific.

Exploring caves on the web 
Seven Wonders Scenic Tours  
The World's Luckiest Diamond Finder 
Caretaking STRETCHES your travel dollar.  

On the 20th day of June in the year 1819 the steamship Savannah arrived at Liverpool from the United States. When the Savannah approached the English coast with her single stack giving forth volumes of dense black smoke, it was thought by those on shore that she was a ship on fire, and British men-of-war and revenue cutters set out to aid her. When the truth was known, consternation reigned among the English officers. They were astonished at the way the craft steamed away from them after they had rushed to assist what they thought was a ship in distress.

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Learn To Speak Italian

South America

From Patagonia in the south to Columbia and Venezuela in the north, South America offers travelers with an entire continent to explore. Visitors who travel South America can visit tremendous mountains, amazing rain forests and beautiful beaches. A trip to South America will expose travelers to various languages and cultures from both the new world of Europe to the ancient societies of South America’s indigenous people.

I'll never forget the look on the face of that Colombian campesino man. My wife just explained to him in Spanish that what I am holding under my arm is indeed a surfboard, despite the fact that we were standing in a Colombian village that was located somewhere in the middle of the Andes Mountains, hundreds of miles away from any ocean. After hearing this news the man made a joke about us getting bad directions. Crossing the Andes with a surfboard. 

The climb up the glaciers to the summit of Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador isn't considered highly technical. Technically, it is mountaineering, but how hard could it be, considering that I went to 20,600 feet the first time I used crampons and an ice axe? Okay, I had used them once for practice, on a sledding hill near my house. 

Getting married in Chile is one of the most romantic ideas you can come up with.  You should first check with the Chilean Embassy and Consulate Office for current laws and requirements. Getting married abroad is as legal and accepted as if it happened domestically as long as you adhere to the proper requirements of both the host country and your own.

What attracts most visitors to the area is the many mega-resort properties that line Highway 307 from Cancun to Tulum, also referred to as the Riviera Maya. People are lured by the miles of beaches, clear turquoise sea, and the ability to leave their wallets in the hotel safe for a week for an all-inclusive Caribbean holiday. Unfortunately, if you never leave the resort, you miss out on experiencing the culture and beauty of the Mexican Coast.

The Fascinating History of the Panama Canal.

European Highlights

For the fortunate few, life isn’t complete without a backpacking trip through Europe. This rite of passage is believed to further the maturation process of college students, according to sociologists. Of course, others have opined that copious amounts of alcohol, sun and Amsterdam have something to do with it. Regardless of your purpose, you still have to figure out what to take. 

Alsace, unlike the other French regions, is rich in French, German and Swiss influences. The region is situated among the Vosges mountains in the mid-eastern to north-eastern part of France. Alsace is the smallest of all French regions with Strasbourg bordering Germany and the Rhine River. Towards Mulhouse in the south, the region is bordered by Switzerland and the region known as Franche-Comte.

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Prenzlau:  Pristine nature, clean air and clear water, a wide variety of nature protection and landscape conservation areas plus biosphere reserves – the calmness and the light are the reasons why people feel so at home here.Prenzlau an the Uckermark have all kinds of cultural and sporting activities on offer, as well as modern accommodation options. I´d like tell you a little bit about what´s on offer.

After a tour of the city, a trip to the Uckersee Lake for a spot of rest and recreation is highly recommended. The Unteruckersee Lake has for many centuries been one of the towns´treasures. Frederick I also held the lake in high esteem, choosing it as the venue for his legendary swan hunt – which gave our coat of arms its swan, by the way.

The lake has a special attraction for people of Prenzlau and visitors to our town. As well as the Uckersee Lakes – the Uckersee Lake itself is linked to the upper Uckersee Lake by canal – there are wonderful places to go in the direct vicinity of the town for hiking, cycling and boat trips. You can take a relaxing sailing trip across the Uckersee Lakes in the “Onkel Albert” passenger ship, or put your own muscle power to the test with a trip on the “Ukrasvan”, a reproduction 10th-century Slavic boat. If the sun shines as well, you´ll have the perfect nature experience.

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Interactive maps of Europe.   Austria  *  Belgium  *  Croatia  *  Czech Republic  *  Denmark  *  England  *  Finland  *  France  *  Germany  *  Greece  *  Hungary  *  Ireland  *  Italy  *  Montenegro  *  Netherlands  *  Norway  *  Poland  *  Portugal  *  Romania  *  Scandinavia  *  Scotland  *  Serbia   *  Slovenia  *  Spain   *  Sweden   *  Switzerland   *  Turkey  *  United Kingdom

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Bulgaria was the Slav land of Orpheus and Spartacus. It holds countless treasures, burial tombs and magnificent art and frescos reminiscent of centuries past, offering visitors the opportunity to tour numerous museums and monuments to understand Bulgaria’s rich cultural heritage.. Today, culturally the Bulgarians remember the days when men tried to appease the natural elements and trembled before their power! Rich with beauty, gaiety, mystical voices, fiery dances and brightly colored costumes, Bulgarian folklore has to be seen, felt and experienced…

Bulgaria is best known for its budget holiday resorts on the Black Sea. Here you can enjoy great health and leisure activities at a fraction of the cost of most other tourist destinations. Warm sunshine with pleasant temperatures (around 26°C in summer) comfortable hotels, white, non-tidal beaches, water sports are but some of the attractions to the area. There is also plenty of entertainment laid on by the hotels, including night life at all the resorts. In addition, within minutes you can find yourself in picturesque mountains, ski resorts and golf courses.

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In Belgium the traffic drives on the right, drivers must be 18 and carry a valid driving licence and international driving permit, if they are foreigners. Seatbelts are mandatory for everyone and children under three must use a proper child restraint system. A warning triangle is compulsory as are headlamp converters (for left hand drive cars), dipped headlights in poor weather and a first-aid kit. Belgium has strict drunk-driving laws, only allowing 0.25mg/ml of alcohol in the blood. Fines range from €125 on-the-spot to €2,500 (if prosecuted) and up to a maximum of €10,000 (if over 0.8mg/l), a six-month sentence and five-year suspension of your licence. Speed limits are implemented rigorously with frequent radar traps and heavy on-the-spot fines.

With the same dedication of the swallows returning to Capistrano, the rich and famous flock to the French Riviera every year. When you walk along the city streets in the spring, or one of the many bustling open-air fruit and vegetable markets, and you might just find yourself passing a famous movie star or elegant fashion model.   

The Grand Prix is held in Monaco.  It ranks among the top sporting events in the world, and for good reason.  The combination of Formula One cars street racing and the influx of celebrities to the playground of Europe make a heady mix for the annual event, and is viewed as part of the social calendar for the world’s top sports stars, actors, models and businessmen.  The circuit takes in Casino Square and passes by the renowned Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo, making it one of the most recognisable hotels in the world.

Spain is such a popular destination we have created an entire directory for it.

Explore Morocco  *  The Cultural Heritage of Vienna

Switzerland greets the eye like a fairy tale.  Its cities are precision built, the trains run on time and everywhere you look the natives there seem to be dancing or at least having a great time.  The diversity of the German, French, Romanish, and Italian languages has formed a robust national culture.

A short tour of Rome. 

Discover everything you need to Know for the Perfect Vacation, including where to stay, where to eat and the best places to visit in Florence, Italy. Find out the answers to the Top 50 most Frequently asked Questions about Florence, Italy.  Visit Places to visit in Florence Italy

Joined to Bagnoregio, and to the world, through only one bridge, Civita Italy appears in an unreal isolation due to landslip series and downfall of argillaceous ground on which the entire town is built and that is still in danger.

Incredible prices for all kinds of goods can be found on the Rock of Gibraltar.