Snow white make-up. Crimson lipstick. Jet black hair, decorated with traditional ornaments. And a bright kimono adorned with elaborate patterns.
Japan’s geisha are cultural icons, famed for their grace and dignity. Highly skilled entertainers and gifted in the art of conversation.
Their profession is all that remains of an ancient era. If you get the chance to meet a geisha, there are a few do’s and don’ts to keep in mind, to minimise offence or disrespect.
Here is a small list to help with that.
Do’s and don’ts: Proper etiquette around a geisha
Purchase tickets to a performance
For visitors wanting to experience geisha culture without fear of offending, I suggest getting tickets to a public dance performance.
Or book an audience with an apprentice geisha. You’ll get to chat with her, watch her dance, and take pictures together with consent.
Which brings me to my next point.
Don’t harass for photographs
In Kyoto, local authorities have fines of up to 10,000 Yen (around $135 AU) for anybody hassling a geisha for photographs. Politely asking for a photograph is okay – but if they’re with a customer, all photography is a big no-no.
Look, don’t touch
A geisha puts in hours of work to perfect her appearance, and doesn’t want her efforts disordered. Kimonos are often one-off designer pieces too, and can cost upwards of $60,000! As you should with any stranger, it’s best to look, but not touch.
Don’t stalk
Mystery is a huge part of their profession. It’s natural to be curious when you see a geisha. Following them around however, is disrespectful.
Geisha are artists, and their work – passed down through generations for centuries – is vanishing. It is increasingly rare to find glimmers of their magic, but when you do, they deserve to be treasured, protected and respected.
NOTE: The full original article was written by Dan Hackett for Wanderlust online publication. You can find the original article here. This is an edited version.
Moon Lane Media 