What do you think the role of a "Geisha" is?

Question

Based on any information that you have about Geisha in Japan, what do you think their role was/is? Do you have a positive or negative image about them?

Answer 1

Based on information about the Geisha in Japan, they were not concubines, but were 'party girls' who could entertain a gentleman, provide a pleasant evening, with entertainment and diversion, but not with sex.
It seemed as though the tradition arose because Japanese wives stayed at home, and men wanted some feminine company when they were out.
The image is definitely positive, as these ladies had to be multi talented. They needed to have dancing training, singing lessons, learn to play an instrument, and they needed to be well read and well spoken in order to play word games.

Answer 2

A geisha is not a prostitute, it is a form of customer service. I have lived in Japan for a few years while I was attending college. My understanding from what I have seen is that these are women that cater to men. When I say cater I mean keep them company and get paid well. I don't know what they do on the side, as far as I know it is strictly business.

Answer 3

A geisha was a prostitute with all that implies across all cultures. Whites romanticize that society role like they do with films like "Pretty Woman". It's no different with "Geisha". They want to believe that prostitute is an honorable profession instead of a pathology.

The term whore has negative conotations for a reason.

Answer 4

The role of a Geisha girl is to provide entertainment, intelligent conversation, companionship and traditional services (serving tea is one such service) to men of wealth and stature who expect no less than perfection.

They are not prostitutes, they're not a man's mistress, and they're not what most western "civilizations"? think they are. It's obvious that most of the people who responded to this question have little or no knowledge of other cultures in society.

Answer 5

I have a very positive view of geishas. If you research them, they werent prostitutes. Some didnt even have to perform sexual favors. They were that talented. They paved the way for women in their time and some were even prominent figures in their society.

Answer 6

Japanese Geisha were definitely not prostitutes. They were an exclusive sort of order, you might say, taught and groomed from when they were very young. They were beautiful, they played music, and wrote poetry. Society marveled at them. They went to parties of important diplomats, etc, but they were basically just there to look at. Occaisonaly one of the men they met took it too seriously and forced himself on them, but there was nothing they could do, they just had to act pretty.

Answer 7

She provides conversation,and skills such as serving tea correctly and dance,they are highly trained to be quality ladies and that doesn't include sexual favors.They are taught to be very feminine at all times. While we in the USA make think its outdated it is still very much in the Japanese culture and as long as its done willingly by the girl/woman I have a positive view of them .But then again I really like so much about the Asian cultures. Such history such beautiful customs.

Answer 8

I agree with the others .If you read up on the subject Geishas are not prostitutes

Answer 9

Do you know that a famous Geisha in the last Century, was a man? Just can't remember his name! Yes, their trade was/is sex.

Answer 10

Their role was to entertain. However with intellect and grace. Yhis is all great, my one misgiving about this though is that ultimately the simply ended up being 'kept women'. I call it glorified prostitution.