The Geisha Arts

The “gei” of geisha means art. Geisha are of course skillful in the social art of entertaining guests at parties, but the soul of a geisha lies in her mastery of traditional performing arts. Geisha often study all aspects, but usually go on to specialize in either dance (Nihon buyō) or traditional music, including the shamisen, singing, drums, or flute.

Shinahide

from Pontochō in Kyoto

2003

as a maiko, playing shamisen at a recital

2003

As a maiko,

performing in a public dance

2004

now a geiko, in a public dance

2006

playing the kozutsumi drum

Kazumi

Tomoyuki and Hisano