Onsen geisha
Encyclopedia
Onsen geisha is a term referring to Japan
ese geisha
, or entertainers, who work in onsen
(hot spring
) resorts or towns. The term onsen geisha has a negative connotation in that the term has come to be synonymous with prostitute
. This is due to several reasons.
In pre-World War II
history, the term onsen geisha had a negative connotation---being that geisha who lived and worked at hot spring resorts or towns were often regarded as the lowest of geisha, and another that these geisha would freely roam, if unbound by contracts, to any other onsen town without carrying with them a history. During this pre-WWII period, it happened that some onsen geisha were sponsored by businessmen who visited them yearly and, from there, interaction beyond party-entertainment was common; therefore, the concept of onsen geisha as prostitutes was not entirely incorrect in pre-WWII days. In the period following World War II
, the abundance of prostitutes
in onsen
towns—such as Atami
—who market themselves to tourists as "geisha" caused some misconceptions. However, true modern-day onsen geisha are in fact accomplished dancers and musicians.
In Atami, the official registry office regards long-time, proven geisha as separate from those who have not yet completed their first year.
Geisha banquets in onsen towns are markedly different from geisha engagements in the traditional hanamachi
of Kyoto
and Tokyo
. Whereas geisha parties in Kyoto are usually small affairs in teahouses with five or six geisha, onsen geisha usually entertain tourists in the banquet halls of large hotels, often with sixty or seventy geisha in attendance. The modern surge of tourism, expendable income, and capitalization has caused onsen geisha, who historically entertained groups similar in size to those in Kyoto and Tokyo, to increase to these large affairs.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese geisha
Geisha
, Geiko or Geigi are traditional, female Japanese entertainers whose skills include performing various Japanese arts such as classical music and dance.-Terms:...
, or entertainers, who work in onsen
Onsen
An is a term for hot springs in the Japanese language, though the term is often used to describe the bathing facilities and inns around the hot springs. As a volcanically active country, Japan has thousands of onsen scattered along its length and breadth...
(hot spring
Hot spring
A hot spring is a spring that is produced by the emergence of geothermally heated groundwater from the Earth's crust. There are geothermal hot springs in many locations all over the crust of the earth.-Definitions:...
) resorts or towns. The term onsen geisha has a negative connotation in that the term has come to be synonymous with prostitute
Prostitution
Prostitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. The person who receives payment for sexual services is called a prostitute and the person who receives such services is known by a multitude of terms, including a "john". Prostitution is one of...
. This is due to several reasons.
In pre-World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
history, the term onsen geisha had a negative connotation---being that geisha who lived and worked at hot spring resorts or towns were often regarded as the lowest of geisha, and another that these geisha would freely roam, if unbound by contracts, to any other onsen town without carrying with them a history. During this pre-WWII period, it happened that some onsen geisha were sponsored by businessmen who visited them yearly and, from there, interaction beyond party-entertainment was common; therefore, the concept of onsen geisha as prostitutes was not entirely incorrect in pre-WWII days. In the period following World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the abundance of prostitutes
Prostitution in Japan
Prostitution in Japan has existed throughout the country's history.While the Anti-Prostitution Law of 1956 states that "No person may either do prostitution or become the customer of it," various loopholes, liberal interpretations of the law, and loose enforcement have allowed the sex industry to...
in onsen
Onsen
An is a term for hot springs in the Japanese language, though the term is often used to describe the bathing facilities and inns around the hot springs. As a volcanically active country, Japan has thousands of onsen scattered along its length and breadth...
towns—such as Atami
Atami, Shizuoka
is a city located in the eastern end of Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. As of February 2010, the city has an estimated population of 39,755 and a population density of 645 people per km². The total area is 61.56 km².-Geography:...
—who market themselves to tourists as "geisha" caused some misconceptions. However, true modern-day onsen geisha are in fact accomplished dancers and musicians.
In Atami, the official registry office regards long-time, proven geisha as separate from those who have not yet completed their first year.
Geisha banquets in onsen towns are markedly different from geisha engagements in the traditional hanamachi
Hanamachi
A hanamachi is a Japanese courtesan and geisha district. The word's literal meaning is "flower street". Such districts would contain various okiya . Nowadays, the term hanamachi is commonly used in modern Japan to refer to the areas where modern-day okiya are still operating. In Kyoto's Gion...
of Kyoto
Kyoto
is a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan. It has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area.-History:...
and Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
. Whereas geisha parties in Kyoto are usually small affairs in teahouses with five or six geisha, onsen geisha usually entertain tourists in the banquet halls of large hotels, often with sixty or seventy geisha in attendance. The modern surge of tourism, expendable income, and capitalization has caused onsen geisha, who historically entertained groups similar in size to those in Kyoto and Tokyo, to increase to these large affairs.