With their white faces, rosebud lips and silken kimonos, geisha and maiko (geisha in training) provide iconic links to Japan’s past. Come twilight in the Gion District of Kyoto, you can glimpse these beautiful women heading out on their evening rounds to entertain clients mainly in teahouses, which also serve food and spirits. These women are highly trained entertainers; the word geisha, meaning “artist,” comes from the words gei, meaning “art,” and sha, meaning “doer” or “person.” The word maiko literally means “dance child.”

To fulfill their roles, these women spend their whole careers learning various arts, including how to perform the tea ceremony, write calligraphy, dance, sing and play numerous instruments, particularly the samisen. They also learn the art of conversing in a witty manner with clients from all walks of life. While it is true that a geisha or maiko may choose to have an intimate relationship with a client, sexual favors are not expected. The entertainers are free to pursue any sort of relationship they wish.