The First Geisha

A Geisha (or Geiko) is a person of arts, essentially a performing female artist. As coin poured into the treasuries of Japan, a growing part of it was funneled into culture and entertainment. The most common form of entertainment in the pleasure districts, performed by men and women alike, was dancing and singing accompanied by instruments and teenage dancing girls called odoriko. When these girls grew up they adopted different names to continue working, one of these names being 'geisha'.\n\nIn time, geisha became to be appreciated for their art with song, dances and the shamisen, and became specialized in these kinds of entertainment.