Definition

1. Noun:
   • A Japanese woman trained to entertain men with conversation and singing and dancing: A geisha is a traditional Japanese female entertainer skilled in various arts, including music, dance, and conversation, who attends to guests at social gatherings.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The geisha performed a graceful dance for the guests at the tea house.
  • She trained for many years to become a geisha in Kyoto.
  • In traditional Japanese culture, a geisha is an artist, not a courtesan.

Advanced Usage

• "Geisha world" (karyūkai): Refers to the traditional, often insular, community and lifestyle surrounding geisha culture.

  • The novel provides a glimpse into the intricate social rules of the geisha world.

• "Apprentice geisha" (maiko): Specifically refers to a young woman who is in training to become a full-fledged geisha, often recognizable by her more elaborate hairstyle and kimono.

  • The maiko, an apprentice geisha, accompanied her senior to the banquet.

Variants and Related Words

• Geiko (n): A term used primarily in the Kyoto region to refer to a fully-fledged geisha.

  • In Kyoto, a geisha is more formally called a geiko.

• Hanamachi (n): A "flower town," the term for a geisha district in a city.

  • Gion is one of the most famous hanamachi in Kyoto.

Synonyms

• Courtesan (historical context): In some historical Western misunderstandings, geisha were incorrectly equated with courtesans, though their primary role is artistic entertainment.
• Entertainer: A general term for a performer, though it lacks the specific cultural connotations of "geisha."

Related Phrases

• "Geisha girl": An outdated and often inaccurate Western term that can trivialize or misrepresent the profession.
  • The term "geisha girl" is considered a stereotype by many.

Related Idioms

• The concept is typically referenced directly rather than through idiomatic expressions.

Noun

1. a Japanese woman trained to entertain men with conversation and singing and dancing