what is a geisha

Geisha are traditional Japanese female entertainers whose craft combines performing arts, music, dance, and refined social hosting. They are trained in various arts and disciplines to provide an atmosphere of elegance and gaiety at events, teahouses, and meals for guests, often in historic districts known as hanamachi or “flower towns.” The term geisha literally means “art person” or “artist,” and in some regions they are called geiko or geigi (Kyoto and Kanazawa variants). Their practice emphasizes artistry, conversation, hospitality, and cultural refinement rather than sexual services, a distinction that has been emphasized in historical and modern contexts alike.