A Lady's Life in Tokugawa Japan, Part 3: Fashion & Fun with the Glamorous Geisha
Jun 6, 2024
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Explore the glamorous world of geisha in Tokugawa Japan with insights into their intense training, mysterious rituals, and evolution from taiyu. Learn about sumptuary laws regulating attire, the significance of fashion, makeup, and the unique lifestyle of geishas as artists and performers.
Geishas were revered for their artistic skills and intellect, influencing fashion and culture in Tokugawa Japan.
Becoming a geisha involved rigorous training and symbolic rituals marking the transition to womanhood and professionalism.
Geishas maintained a unique relationship with patrons called Danas, who provided financial support in exchange for priority access to their entertainment.
Deep dives
The Intriguing World of Geishas in Tokugawa Japan
Geishas played a unique and revered role in Tokugawa Japan, known for their artistic skills and intelligence. The Geishas, initially replacing the Taiyu in the pleasure districts, were highly trained in arts, culture, and music. They were fashion icons and cultural trendsetters, influencing hairstyles and kimonos. Despite their association with sex work, Geishas were primarily valued for their education and entertainment skills.
The Rituals and Training of Geisha Apprentices
Becoming a geisha involved a rigorous training process for young apprentices known as Makos. After reaching sexual maturity, apprentices underwent the mizuage ritual, symbolizing their transition to womanhood. This ritual, inherited from courtesans, was a lucrative event where customers paid for the apprentice's virginity. Once they completed their training, apprentices experienced their official debut, Mizudashi, stepping onto the stage of adulthood and professionalism.
The Intricacies of Geisha Life and Relationships
Professional geishas catered to customers at private parties and tea houses, maintaining a distinct relationship with patrons called Danas. Danas provided financial support, living expenses, and other necessities in exchange for priority access to the geisha's performances and entertainment. Geishas, transcending class boundaries, often became highly sought after for marriage due to their charm, skills, and celebrity status within Tokugawa society.
Societal Norms, Makeup, and Hairstyles of Edo Era Women
During the Edo era, societal norms dictated women's attire and appearance, with strict sumptuary laws regulating clothing and luxury items. Makeup and hairstyles played significant roles, from using lead-based powder for a pale complexion to shaving eyebrows and blackening teeth. Geishas' makeup involved white powder, safflower rouge, and coal eyeliner, while intricate hairstyles conveyed their status, training level, and career progression.
Relationship Dynamics and Financial Realities Among Geishas
Geishas navigated complex relationships and financial obligations in the Edo era. They relied on Danas for financial support, living expenses, and training, often culminating in marriage or long-term arrangements. The transactional nature of geisha customer interactions, including the Mizwage ritual and Danas, illustrated the blend of tradition, culture, and economic dependence that characterized geisha life in Tokugawa Japan.
Season 5, Episode 5. In this four-part series, we're time traveling back to Tokugawa Japan (1603-1868) to find out what life was like there for the ladies. If you've been binging Shogun lately, then this one's for you! For show notes, including a list of sources and some cool images, go to The Exploress website (If you're dying for a full transcript, you'll find it over on my Patreon.)
In June, I'm doing a NIGHTBIRDS readalong on my other podcast, Pub Dates. Whether you're looking for a recap before FYREBIRDS comes out or are keen to read along with me for the very first time, it's going to be a lot of fun! And listeners have a chance to win a prize.
Ways to support The Exploress:
Buy Kate's novel, NIGHTBIRDS, which is already out in hardback, and coming out in paperback on June 4, 2024. You can also pre-order the sequel, FYREBIRDS, out Aug. 27.
Become a patron and enjoy exclusive bonus episodes, including one about Tomoe Gozen, an infamous Japanese warrior, and an upcoming bonus about Japanese goddess Amaterasu.
