Geisha Means Art Person
A geisha is a Japanese professional entertainer trained in traditional arts. The word means someone skilled in the arts.
A geisha is a Japanese woman professionally trained in traditional arts — music, dance, conversation and games — who entertains at gatherings. The name states the job: *gei* means art and *sha* means person. Western accounts have often misrepresented the profession; geisha are performers and hostesses, and the training takes years.
- A Japanese traditional entertainer. *A trained geisha.*
- Geiko — the Kyoto term. *A Kyoto geiko.*
- Maiko — an apprentice. *A maiko in training.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | geisha | A famous geisha. |
| Plural | geisha | Several geisha. |
| Kyoto term | geiko | A Gion geiko. |
| Apprentice | maiko | A young maiko. |
| Related | okiya | The okiya house. |
How it is used in a sentence
- The word means art person.*Gei* plus *sha*.
- Training takes several years.Music, dance and conversation.
- Geiko is the Kyoto term.Regional variation.
Arts a geisha trains in
- Shamisen — a three-stringed instrument
- Traditional dance — highly codified forms
- Tea ceremony — the ritual preparation of tea
- Conversation — a professional skill, not incidental
- Calligraphy and poetry — part of a classical education
From Japanese *geisha*, from *gei*, art, and *sha*, person. The profession developed in the eighteenth century.
What is a maiko?
An apprentice geisha, distinguished by different dress and hairstyle, who trains for several years before qualifying.
Geisha or geiko?
Geisha is the general Japanese term. In Kyoto, where the tradition is strongest, the word geiko is used.