When we say the words “Japan,” and “femininity,” the first thing that should come to your mind is Geisha. The Geisha is a great symbol of how femininity was in the old times. But to be truthful, a Geisha is much more than that. She is a symbol of resistance through time and societal changes; she is a pillar in the preservation of ancient Japanese traditions; she is a teacher of key factors about femininity.

What is a Geisha Anyways?

To begin, “Geisha” simply means “art person” in Japanese. Originally, the art of Geisha was performed by men in the Edo period (1603-1868). These men would play music, tell stories, and do games to entertain clients from tea salons. Over time, more and more women were introduced to the art until it was exclusively for women.

How Does a Geisha Express Her Femininity?

The first and the most obvious way a Geisha expresses femininity is through her appearance. The white painted face, the red lips and eyebrows, the sophisticated hairstyle and the multiple layered kimonos are all traditional symbols of beauty and femininity in Japanese culture.

For that reason, a Geisha would, typically, spend about an hour every day just on her makeup. The beautiful hairstyle they wear is a wig. In the past, specific hairstylists would do these hairstyles with the Geisha’s natural hair, which had to be about 7-foot-long. The “Maiko” is the Geisha in the learning. Her hairdo is much simpler, so it is done with her natural hair, and she must keep it intact for a week.

Another way they express their femininity is through their gestures and their posture. A Geisha learns how to move and walk with elegance and class. She must always keep a straight posture and she knows every social etiquette. This is how the Geisha was able to maintain a good reputation and be respected by society over all these centuries.

What Can We Learn from Them?

A lot! But I will say that one important thing we can learn from them is social skills. They know how to start conversations and entertain their guest with charm and control of their feminine energy. Another important thing we can learn from them is how important it is to take care of your appearance.

I will dive deeper into how they take care of their appearance in another post, but for now, I would love to know what you think about the Geisha and what you want to know more about them. Write your answers in the comments!