Higashi Chaya Geisha District Virtual Tour｜Funny Backstories by Local Guide (Not in Official Guides)

0. Welcome to a virtual (imaginary) tour guided by a local

Since this is a fairly long tour, I strongly recommend joining just one part of it if you’re looking for a change of pace. Let’s make sure it’s a long and memorable experience—not a long and wrong one ❤.

This blog takes you on a journey through the Higashi Chaya tea house district in Kanazawa, Japan, which retains the atmosphere of the Samurai Edo Period. Unlike official sites that offer detailed and sophisticated information, this blog provides a virtual (and imaginary) tour guided by a local. It answers common questions about the Higashi Chaya tea house district and presents each highlight in a clear and engaging way, making it fun and easy to follow.

👉 Note: For detailed and comprehensive information, please check the official website or consult travel agencies.

For foreign visitors, business professionals, and students exploring Japan, I invite you to experience these fascinating stories in person. Come and discover the charm of the Higashi Chaya tea house district—I’ll be waiting for you!

1. Basic Terms for Your Curiosity

This is a special service for visitors interested in learning about the world of teahouses and Geisha culture. For your convenience and preferences, feel free to refer to these terms before embarking on the main tours!

1.1 Basic Terminology (Daily Conversation Level)

👉 These terms can be used in everyday conversations and casual chatting.

• kanzashi: Traditional Japanese hairpin worn with a kimono
• oshiroi: White face powder
• kuchibeni: Lipstick
• koto: Japanese harp or stringed keyboard
• shamisen: Japanese three-stringed guitar
• taiko: Japanese drum
• tsuzumi: Japanese hand drum
• kimono: Traditional Japanese clothing
• ozashiki: Tatami room for guests
• kinpaku: Gold leaf
• jinrikisha: Rickshaw

1.2 Chaya District-Related Terms (Enthusiast Level)

👉 These are terms that may sound familiar but have meanings different from what we, as Japanese speakers, use in daily life. For example, a “teahouse” isn’t a place for drinking or buying tea.

• chaya: Tea house
• chaya gai: Tea house district
• geisha: Traditional female performer/artist
• ichigen-san okotowari: “No first-time visitors” policy
• kanraku gai: Pleasure quarters; entertainment area
• yukaku: Licensed pleasure quarters; pleasure districts

1.3 Higashi Chaya-District Specific Terminology

👉 While these terms may be used in other regions, they are included here as they are commonly associated with this district.

• Geiko: Local term for geisha
• Kimusuko: Wooden lattice window resembling a bug cage
• Bengara: Deep Indian red color

2．Entire Higashi Chaya-gai (The East Tea House District)

2.1 Basic Information

Let me begin with a brief overview of the entire tea house district to help you get the full picture.☛To assist virtual visitors, English audio has been provided below. The first half (items 1–5) is narrated by an American female voice, while the second half (items 6–10) features an American male voice.

1. Kanazawa has three ochaya (teahouse) districts, which were pleasure quarters during the samurai period, but this is the largest area.
2. Ochaya was a place where geisha entertained wealthy merchants with singing, playing, and dancing, not a place to relax over a cup of tea like today’s coffee shops.
3. Geishas, called geiko by the locals, are entertainers who can dance and perform, and are different from the hostesses who serve customers in modern bars and clubs.
4. Originally scattered throughout the city, teahouses were consolidated in three locations about two centuries ago to prevent the spread of extravagance.
5. Kanazawa was spared the air raids of the war, so the wooden buildings and latticed windows of the traditional teahouses of the samurai period can still be admired.
6. Many of these buildings have been turned into cafes, restaurants, sweet stores, and craft stores to suit modern tastes, but several still remain teahouses with geiko.
7. In the world of geiko hospitality, the “no first-time visitors” rule is still in effect, and you can only enter with an introduction from a familiar patron from the past.
8. Today, you can watch geiko perform at certain teahouses if you follow the proper procedures through the respective teahouses or locally specialized offices.
9. Originally called “yukaku”, licensed pleasure quarters and enclosed by wooden fences for separation like those in other districts, this area is said to have primarily offered entertainment through the performances of talented geikos.
10. Although various shops and stores housed in the approximately one hundred historic buildings might appear modern, many of them have a long history, including a Japanese sweets shop and a liquor store that has been in operation for nearly 400 years.

2.2 Q&A 👀 Perspectives from Foreign Visitors.

This virtual tour blog answers common questions visitors might have. I’ve selected 10 questions frequently asked by foreign visitors to the Higashi-chaya-gai area. I hope you enjoy these Q&A sessions, presented with audio featuring a female US voice and a male UK voice.

1. Q: What is this teahouse district for anyway?
   • A: It was a place where wealthy merchants, literati, and high-ranking warriors sought culture and entertainment.
2. Q: When was this town built?
   • A: About two centuries ago, it was established as a collective entertainment district, surrounded by wooden fences known as yugaku.
3. Q: Why was it built here?
   • A: Fearing the spread of extravagant lifestyles, the local government of the time consolidated them on the outskirts of this city in order to isolate them.
4. Q: What kind of people lived here?
   • A: Various geisha, managers, and supporting staff resided here, all dedicated to entertaining the patrons of this entertainment district.
5. Q: How did they live?
   • A: They earned their living by offering various services, primarily geisha performances tailored to the needs of visitors each night.
6. Q: Is this place still the same as it was?
   • A: Kanazawa was not damaged by air raids, so the streets and buildings from the samurai era remain intact.
7. Q: What can we enjoy here?
   • A: Visitors can still enjoy geisha performances at select teahouses, just as people did in the past, while also trying on kimono, savoring sake, wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets), and matcha (powdered green tea), and participating in a gold leaf crafting class.
8. Q: What is this area like at night?
   • A: In the evening, locals enjoy geisha performances at exclusive teahouses or spend time drinking at Japanese-style restaurants and bars.
9. Q: Do geishas live here?
   • A: No one, including geishas, lives here. Everyone commutes from home, much like modern businesspeople.
10. Q: Can we see geishas when walking around here?
    • A: Generally, geishas do not walk around in kimonos, as they practice in their offices to prepare for night performances at invited teahouses.

2.3 Ready to Crack a Smile? Short Stories for You!

Here are short stories addressing common questions from foreign visitors like you who are interested in learning about Japanese culture and local people. I hope you enjoy some of them!

Q1: How did this teahouse district in front of us come to be?

Here, expressions related to infectious diseases are included. The first half (items 1–5) covers serious content, while the second half (items 6–10) takes a lighter, humorous approach.☛The English audio consists of two files: the first half is narrated by an Australian female speaker, and the second half by a U.S. male speaker.

1. Originally, this area was a bustling hub of activity, drawing people together as it served as both a transportation center and a site with numerous temples.
2. As the samurai period came to an end, the stoic spirituality of earlier times declined, giving way to a growing trend of entertainment and luxury in the city’s teahouses.
3. To curb its growing extravagance and decadence, the local government at the time designated the area as a teahouse district, concentrating and isolating teahouses within it.
4. As a result, this teahouse district was established on the eastern outskirts of the city, with another located just across a nearby bridge.
5. Additionally, a third teahouse district was established on the western outskirts, bringing the total to three.
6. Perhaps the authorities believed that decentralizing these districts was more effective than concentrating them in one area to contain the “luxury disease.”
7. This approach, reminiscent of ancient methods to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, unfortunately came too late.
8. If it were a true infectious disease—primarily non-airborne—this method might have worked.
9. However, the “luxury disease” of seeking entertainment proved far more contagious than airborne infections.
10. Even now, two centuries later, this allure continues to captivate modern individuals, transcending time and space, attracting countless visitors from around the world to this very spot!

Q2：Is this kind of teahouse district only in Kanazawa?

Here, expressions related to the history of entertainment quoters are included. The first half (items 1–6) focuses on serious content, while the second half (items 7–10) takes a playful and goofy approach. The English audio is split into two files: the first half is narrated by an American male speaker, and the second half by an Indian male speaker.

1. There are other teahouse districts besides Kanazawa, with Kyoto’s famous teahouse district, Gion, being particularly well-known.
2. Gion has existed since ancient times, but during the Samurai period, it transformed into a cultural area called a “Hanamachi” (flower district), combining entertainment quarters known as yukaku and teahouse districts.
3. Yukaku itself is not particularly uncommon, as the government, around 400 years ago, implemented policies to concentrate sex-related businesses in specific areas.
4. One of the greatest and most well-known yukaku, “Yoshiwara,” was located in Edo, the former city of Tokyo, and became an enduring icon of Japanese culture.
5. Like Kyoto, Kanazawa shares a long history as a cultural city and developed its own teahouse district, attracting talented geisha.
6. Although this district was also surrounded by wooden fences to indicate a brothel area, it seemed to emphasize the sophisticated world of geisha performances.
7. For women without such talents, however, it may not have been a welcoming or comfortable place at that time.
8. Today, it is a blessing that this area embraces diversity, allowing individuals without artistic talents to thrive in various fields, such as gold leaf crafts, liquor shops, and confectionery shops.
9. It’s a privilege to live in Kanazawa—a city with a rich cultural history and a spirit of inclusiveness.
10. Even I, embodying the classic Japanese persona of “Mugei taishoku” (no particular talent but great at eating), can find my place and contribute meaningfully here!

3. Tea House in General

3.1 Basic Information

Let’s start with a brief overview of teahouses to enhance your experience on this blog tour. ☛To guide virtual visitors, English audio is split into two parts: the first half (1-10) narrated by a British female voice, and the second half (11-20) by an American male voice

《英語》

1. There used to be many teahouses, but only a few are still in business today.
2. Even today, the basic rules of ‘no first-time visitors’ and ‘no-wallet visit and pay later’ still apply.
3. If the customer does not pay, the introducer must pay, a typical credit business.
4. While some teahouses are open to the public, and offer performances for foreign visitors, others have been converted into museums.
5. There are also many teahouses in Kyoto, but most of them are closed to the public, so it is a rare experience to be able to see the inside of a teahouse here.
6. The building is as it was when it was built about two centuries ago, and you can enjoy the atmosphere of the teahouse and the geisha who entertained guests in those days.
7. The second floor was used for entertaining customers, while the first floor was used for the proprietress and geisha staff.
8. The staircase was also divided into two sections, one for customers and one for staff, to ensure that customers did not witness the daily routines of employees.
9. Therefore, the second floor is luxurious, with a high ceiling for acoustics and the staircase is a stairwell.
10. Guests sit in the tatami room with their backs to the alcove, while a Geiko, a traditional Japanese entertainer, performs in a small room next door, visible through the sliding doors.
11. When the time is right, the sliding door is opened like a stage curtain, and Geiko, who has been waiting, begins to play.
12. In those days, in addition to geiko performances, the guests themselves performed tricks and were sometimes punished by being forced to drink sake, making it a place for cultural exchange.
13. In particular, Kanazawa geiko performed the art of taiko drumming in the tatami room, and sometimes invited guests to join in and beat the drums with them.
14. Teahouses employ various methods to enhance the ambiance before a geiko performance begins, such as burning incense or playing a Japanese flute in the adjoining antechamber.
15. Since the teahouse was a social gathering place, the kitchen did not prepare meals but instead sourced food from a caterer, focusing solely on warming drinks like sake.
16. A typical teahouse includes a small courtyard designed primarily for lighting and ventilation, while also being aesthetically pleasing by making the most of the limited space.
17. By skillfully arranging natural stones and moss within a confined area, the courtyard creates a sense of depth, offering viewers a feeling of tranquility.
18. The outer walls on the front street side of the teahouse are covered with special lattice windows that people cannot see inside from the outside through.
19. Most of the pillars in the teahouse are coated with lacquer to prevent corrosion and add luster.
20. To create a more relaxed atmosphere, the inside and outside of the building are coated with a unique reddish bengara (red shell).

3.2 Q&A 👀 Perspectives from Foreign Visitors.

This virtual tour blog answers common questions about teahouses in general.Here are 10 questions often asked by foreign visitors exploring teahouses in the Higashi-chaya-gai area. Enjoy these Q&A sessions, featuring audio by a female Australian and a male US voice.

1. Q: What were people doing here?
   • A: Here, the rich and cultured people were entertained by geisha during nightly Japanese-style parties, known as o-cha-ya play.
2. Q: Was a tea ceremony held here?
   • A: While a tea ceremony could be arranged upon request, teahouses were not originally designed for this purpose.
3. Q: Did guests stay here?
   • A: Teahouses served as social settings for entertaining customers, so guests typically did not stay overnight.
4. Q: Did geishas live here?
   • A: Kanazawa’s geishas, or geikos, were sent to various teahouses to entertain guests but did not reside in specific teahouses.
5. Q: Until what time did the ochaya stay open?
   • A: There was typically no specific closing time, as some customers stayed until morning.
6. Q: Why was the teahouse no longer used?
   • A: Originally a pastime of the upper classes, teahouses became increasingly exclusive to a select few with the rise of democratization and the spread of popular games.
7. Q: What makes it different from a typical townhouse, or machiya?
   • A: Generally, the machiya served as a space for daily life, whereas the teahouse was exclusively designed for socializing, without practical structures like closets.
8. Q: How did teahouses manage summer and winter temperatures?
   • A: In summer, they improved ventilation with courtyards and front lattice windows, and kept food cool in a stone box in the basement. In winter, they used braziers to provide warmth.
9. Q: How did teahouses manage water?
   • A: Water was drawn from a well within the building and drained through a stone-lined channel.
10. Q: Why does each room have a different structure and design?
    • A: The colors and designs of each room were varied to enhance the beauty of both the interiors and the geishas, especially under the lighting.

3.3 Ready to Crack a Smile? Short Stories for You!

Here are short stories answering common questions from curious visitors like you, eager to learn what a teahouse is really like. Enjoy!

Q1.What were people doing here in the first place?

Here, I have incorporated many expressions related to IT. The first half (1-5) covers the serious aspects, suitable for on-site explanations, while the second half (6-10) adds humor, specially crafted for this blog tour.☛Both sections feature American voices, with a female speaker narrating the first half and a male speaker the second.

1. This is called a teahouse, but it’s not a place where tea parties are held.
2. This is a kind of secret salon where only customers introduced by patrons are allowed.
3. This spacious tatami room, complete with a gold folding screen and alcove, is exclusively for guests.
4. Here, guests sip sake and enjoy catered dishes, all while marveling at geisha performances in the adjoining antechamber.
5. This isn’t just a one-way show—it’s an intimate gathering where guests join geisha in playing traditional instruments like taiko drums and engaging in games together.
6. Once a secret pastime for the wealthy elite, even most Japanese people didn’t really know what went on behind the scenes.
7. But thanks to the recent IT (information technology) boom, the secret’s out, and the public now knows what it’s all about.
8. While the traditional art of geisha performances is undoubtedly remarkable, many of the games are quite simple, and guests often need to embrace a playful, even foolish, attitude to enjoy them fully.
9. Just like IoT (the Internet of Things, where everything is connected through the Net), the geisha game is going viral—capturing the attention of everyone from children to the elderly.
10. Perhaps this kind of saying will gain further popularity in the near future… ”I owe tea! Let me treat you at the teahouse!”

Q2. What system did a teahouse operate under?

This section incorporates expressions related to governance. The first half (1-5) provides serious explanations, while the second half (6-10) adds a humorous twist.The first half is spoken by a British female speaker, and the second half by an Indian male speaker.

1. Ochaya, or teahouses, operated by organizing and providing a venue for geisha performances accompanied by banquets, known as ozashiki.
2. First, they planned the details of the ozashiki based on the requests and preferences of longtime patrons or customers introduced by these patrons.
3. Next, geishas who suited the plan were arranged through a management office called an okiya, and the banquet was ordered from a caterer to prepare for the ozashiki on the event day.
4. After the ozashiki ended, the ochaya collected payments from the customers and used the funds to pay the okiya office and caterers, completing the process of managing one event.
5. For important customers, it was said that ochaya billed semi-annually or annually, underscoring their central role in the ecosystem of geisha businesses.
6. However, cases of late or unpaid bills arose, making the role of patrons—responsible for guaranteeing payment—vital.
7. In the modern era, easier and more diversified leisure activities like travel and golf have taken over, causing the traditional teahouse business to decline, along with a drastic decrease in geishas and patrons.
8. Yet, with the recent surge in demand from foreign visitors, geisha performances have been modernized and revitalized, leading to a revival of the teahouse business.
9. Interestingly, the government has now become the new ‘patron,’ establishing national policies to boost tax revenues through increased foreign tourism, much to the locals’ delight.
10. I wish they would change their name as well—not the name of the unstable ruling party, but to the Tea Party that everyone loves, and the House of Representatives to the Tea House!

４.Geisha/Geiko

Here are some insightful stories explaining the world of geisha, or geiko.

4.1 Basic Information

These are the essential points to help you understand the allure of geisha or geiko, who captivate people worldwide with their mysterious charm. I’ve distilled the key information into 20 points, focusing on topics frequently discussed by foreign visitors. While much of this general information addresses common misunderstandings, topics specific to Kanazawa’s teahouse district are interspersed throughout the latter half. Also, long English sentences are divided into multiple sentences to make them easier to understand.The first half (1-10) is spoken by an Australian female speaker, and the second half (11-20) by an American male speaker.

1. The term ‘Geisha’ is widely recognized internationally, but the name varies by region. For example, in Kyoto and Kanazawa, they are referred to as ‘Geiko.’
2. Originally, ‘Geisha’ was a term used in the Kanto region, but like ‘Ninja’ and ‘Samurai,’ it has become ingrained in foreign cultures with an image somewhat different from reality.
3. One reason the name ‘Geisha’ became known overseas is the exotic image presented in ukiyo-e prints depicting geisha.
4. Since courtesans also operated within geisha districts (teahouse districts or hanamachi), even Japanese people often confuse the two.
5. There is also a theory that many sex workers who presented themselves as ‘Geisha girls’ during the post-war period of confusion influenced this image.
6. Recent internationally best-selling novels and films featuring geisha as main characters have further propagated a biased perception of geisha.
7. Many foreign visitors to Japan mistakenly believe that geisha are simply women who provide services similar to modern-day hostesses.
8. In reality, geisha are professional entertainers who have mastered various traditional arts, such as dance, the Japanese banjo or shamisen, singing, and, in Kanazawa, playing the drums.
9. Because each of these arts requires years of rigorous practice, geisha dedicate most of their time to honing their skills when not entertaining guests at banquets.
10. Even in the teahouse districts of Kanazawa, visitors can occasionally hear the sounds of musical instruments being practiced in geisha offices as they prepare for evening performances.
11. In Kyoto, there is a distinction between ‘Maiko,’ the apprentices, and ‘Geiko,’ the professional geisha. However, in Kanazawa, there are only ‘Geiko,’ as the apprenticeship system of ‘Maiko’ does not exist.
12. Geisha typically belong to a management office known as an okiya, though some become freelancers independent of the okiya. This arrangement varies by region.
13. Rather than being employed by teahouses, geisha are dispatched to teahouse banquets upon request to perform and entertain guests.
14. Geisha are not salaried; their main source of income comes from each entertainment event, with revenue varying depending on the content of the performance, duration, and the number of guests.
15. A significant portion of their earnings goes toward okiya membership fees, costume expenses, and practice costs, which help geisha maintain and enhance their skills and value.
16. In the past, many individuals were compelled to become geisha due to economic circumstances. However, today, more people from across the country are applying to join, viewing it as an opportunity to showcase their talents.
17. There is essentially no age limit to becoming a geisha. While some begin their journey in their mid-teens, in many regions, the minimum age is set at 18 due to child labor regulations.
18. Traditionally, geisha have generally not married, adhering to the custom of remaining single. In the past, there was an idealized pattern where a geisha might be chosen by a specific wealthy patron, marry, and retire from the profession.
19. In recent years, however, including among geisha in Kanazawa, many have chosen to continue their careers as geisha even after marriage, viewing it as a profession in its own right. Some geisha have also increased their presence and visibility online.
20. Since geisha operate as individual businesses, there is no mandatory retirement age. Remarkably, there have been legendary geisha who continued their work well into their 90s. In fact, Kanazawa is home to geiko who are older than the current U.S. President.

4.2 Q&A 👀 Perspectives from Foreign Visitors.

This virtual tour blog answers common questions about geisha or geiko. Here are 10 questions commonly asked by foreign visitors curious about geisha or geiko in the Higashi-chaya-gai area. Enjoy these Q&A sessions, featuring audio by an Indian female speaker for questions and an American male speaker for answers.

1. What kind of performances did geisha do?
   • “They performed various Japanese traditional arts such as dance, shamisen (Japanese banjo), and singing, selecting performances that matched the season and the banquet’s atmosphere.”
2. Did geisha also practice tea ceremony and flower arrangement?
   • “Yes, traditional Japanese practices are an important part of expressing hospitality. Geisha also mastered tea ceremony, flower arrangement, and calligraphy, occasionally performing them in front of guests.”
3. How long have jobs like geisha existed?
   • “The history of geisha dates back over 300 years to the samurai era. While their roles and styles have evolved with time, the tradition continues today.”
4. What is the difference between a general geisha and a geiko here?
   • “Kanazawa’s geiko have a performance style that enhances the atmosphere with drums, reflecting the samurai town’s heritage. They also embody an independent spirit, living self-reliantly.”
5. How do geisha hone their skills?
   • “While Kyoto has schools to train geiko and maiko, Kanazawa’s geiko independently hone their skills by studying under masters in each field.”
6. What kind of language do geisha use?
   • “They carefully choose their words to avoid offending customers, using polite and refined language rooted in local traditions.”
7. What kind of conversations do geisha have with customers?
   • “They discuss a wide range of topics, such as current events, entertainment, and hobbies, tailoring conversations to the guests’ interests and enhancing the atmosphere.”
8. How are geisha’s hairstyles made?
   • “In the past, their hairstyles were crafted by professional hairdressers and took considerable time. Nowadays, most geisha use wigs for convenience.”
9. How do geisha do their makeup?
   • “Geisha’s makeup is defined by white face makeup. They spend about an hour carefully applying white powder to achieve a flawless finish.”
10. What is a typical day like for a geisha?
    • “During the day, they focus on practice and preparation. In the evening, they entertain guests at banquets, but on their days off, they relax and unwind like regular office workers.”

4.3 Ready to Crack a Smile? Short Stories for You!

Here are short stories addressing common questions from curious visitors like you, eager to learn about the real lives of geisha. Will they satisfy your curiosity?”

Q1. How many geisha are there in Kanazawa now?

This section incorporated expressions related to the geisha industry. The first half (1-5) is a serious part that can be useful for your knowledge, and the second half (6-10) is a funny part for your fun.The first half is spoken by a British female speaker and the second half by an American male speaker.

1. In the past, when the teahouse districts were thriving, there were many geisha, but their numbers have drastically decreased over the last hundred years.
2. According to some records, their numbers dropped to about 10-20% of their peak during the samurai era.
3. Recently, however, many foreign tourists have visited, and the Higashi Chaya district appears to have regained some of its former prosperity.
4. Today, aspiring geisha come to Kanazawa from faraway places, and there are now enough geisha in Kanazawa that it would take over a month to meet a different one every day.
5. However, with the aging of geisha and a declining birthrate, there are concerns about future labor shortages in this industry, making it essential to recruit more geisha.
6. Interestingly, Kanazawa has flourishing tea ceremony, flower arrangement, and calligraphy classes—essential skills for geisha—attended by many ordinary women who walk gracefully through the city in kimono.
7. Perhaps women who lead culturally rich daily lives similar to geisha could support geisha during busy seasons.
8. However, many husbands might object, claiming it’s impossible for a wife who devotes time and effort to refining her beauty and skills to also pour sake for her husband, which is considered an essential aspect of a geisha’s role.
9. Some husbands may not understand. A true geisha does not cater to boorish or dull customers.
10. Wives who calmly observe their husbands might just have the natural talent of a geisha!

Q2. Why do geisha paint their faces white?

In this section, I’ve woven in a proverb commonly associated with the whiteness of skin as well as expressions inspired by Buddhist teachings. The first half (1-5) provides a serious explanation, while the second half (6-10) adds a touch of humor.☛The first half is spoken by an Australian female speaker, and the second half by an American male speaker.

1. There are several reasons, but one is that it makes their faces stand out during performances on the stage of an ozashiki (banquet room).
2. It also enhances their beauty when illuminated by candlelight in a teahouse’s ozashiki at night.
3. Geisha performances were originally influenced by kabuki, a popular form of entertainment from the same era, which is reflected in their makeup.
4. Moreover, geisha’s ozashiki performances can be viewed as intimate reproductions of grand kabuki stage acts.
5. Speaking with a geisha evokes the thrill of conversing with a kabuki actor who has stepped off the stage—an effect heightened by their white makeup.
6. Since ancient times, Japan has valued the whiteness of the face, as reflected in the still-common idiom, ‘white skin hides seven flaws.’
7. Interestingly, it also carries a nuance similar to the English ‘white lie,’ implying, ‘It’s acceptable to deceive with a white face, even if there are flaws referred to as the seven flaws.
8. In fact, the ‘seven flaws’ originally referred to external disasters like floods and fires, as per Buddhist teachings, rather than personal flaws.
9. Ironically, in modern times, the whiteness of the makeup might offer practical benefits, like protecting against harsh sunburn during summer.
10. More importantly, it can also serve as a subtle countermeasure against sexual harassment from unpleasant customers—thickly applied makeup can help conceal unwanted expressions from view.

５. Geisha asobi：“Playing with Geisha”

5.1 Basic Information

1. “Geisha asobi,” literally meaning “Playing with Geisha,” refers to the entire banquet and experience where geisha entertain guests, encompassing all time spent with them. It is synonymous with teahouse entertainment (Chaya asobi).
2. “Ozashiki-asobi” (literally, “playing in the guest room”) refers to the specific games and interactive exchanges that are part of the overall Geisha asobi entertainment experience.
3. While the both terms might evoke images of men and women simply “playing” in a closed room, they refer to an exclusive venue where geisha entertain guests with their professional “arts and hospitality,” having no connection to sexual services.
4. At Geisha asobi, you have the rare opportunity to experience traditional performing arts—such as songs, dances, and shamisen music—up close and personal.
5. While traditional geisha entertainment is typically held in exclusive ochaya (tea houses) that do not accept first-time customers, more open versions catering to tourists have recently become available.
6. During Ozashiki asobi, all participants play unique and humorous traditional games, which are livened up by the geisha’s professional hospitality and skill.
7. There are over a dozen main types of parlor games, but most involve a geisha and a guest competing one-on-one for victory in front of the other participants.
8. While all the games are simple enough for anyone to play, regardless of age or gender, the guests are typically given a fun penalty, such as drinking an extra cup of sake.
9. Aside from traditional exclusive geisha entertainment, most geisha entertainment is primarily divided into open, concert-style events and party-style gatherings with dining.
10. In that setting, geisha demonstrate their professional skill and ability to elevate the mood through both entertainment and games.

5.2 Q&A 👀 Perspectives from Foreign Visitors.

1. What exactly is geisha asobi, geisha entertainment?
   • Geisha entertainment originally began and for a privileged class to enjoy the arts of geishas exclusively.
2. Is traditional Geisha entertainment expensive?
   • There is no standard price, and fees are set based on the client’s status, making it typically one to two orders of magnitude more expensive than what the average person would expect.
3. Why is the fee so high?
   • This high cost sustains the entire structure: from the expensive interior furnishings of the ochaya (teahouse) to the substantial expenses for geisha training, elaborate costumes, and the specialized jikata (musicians), all supported by a limited client base.
4. How long does a Geisha entertainment session typically last?
   • Traditional sessions can last several hours, depending on the guests’ mood. However, modern tourist courses generally standardize the experience to two hours, often featuring a one-hour geisha performance plus dining.
5. How many geisha are typically present during an engagement?
   • The appropriate number of geisha and supporting staff is determined entirely by the guests’ status, number, budget, and specific preferences, regardless of whether the arrangement is traditional or modern.
6. What can guests see during a Geisha performance?
   • Guests primarily see traditional dances, songs, and instrumental performances (shamisen, etc.), all presented at a uniquely close distance.
7. Are Geisha performances purely for watching, like a concert?
   • No. For instance, in Kanazawa, guests are often invited to play the taiko drums along with the geisha. Many sessions also include engaging, instrument-free traditional parlor games.
8. What exactly are these traditional games (Ozashiki Asobi)?
   • Most involve a geisha and a guest competing one-on-one using simple props or body movements, providing a lively spectacle that the surrounding guests enjoy watching and cheering on.
9. The games seem simple; can adults truly enjoy them?
   • Absolutely. The charm lies in the traditional format: the geisha use their skill to turn simple, accessible games into a lively event. Most guests find themselves returning to their childhood and enjoying the interaction wholeheartedly.
10. Can you give an example of one of the games?
    • The most famous is Tosenkyo, a game with a thousand-year history where players throw folding fans at a target and compete for points based on the shape the fan forms upon impact.

5.3 Ready to Crack a Smile? Short Stories for You!

Q1. “What exactly do people do in geisha asobi?”

1. Geisha asobi, or geisha entertainment, refers to a traditional banquet where geisha perform their refined arts and entertain guests.
2. While enjoying sake, guests watch elegant dances, listen to songs and shamisen music, and engage in relaxed conversation.
3. As the evening draws to a close, the atmosphere is often livened up with playful party games known as ozashiki-asobi.
4. The basic structure is similar in both exclusive traditional settings and the more accessible versions available today.
5. However, traditional geisha entertainment is flexible and open-ended—the content adapts to the mood, and the party can continue indefinitely.
6. There are no fixed prices or set plans, and payment is made after the event, with no clear idea of the final cost.
7. Modern geisha entertainment, by contrast, is menu-based, with transparent pricing and advance payment.
8. In that sense, one could say the true essence of authentic geisha entertainment lies in deferred payment. Enjoying a night where the cost is unknown naturally requires significant financial means—and trust.
9. For wealthy foreign visitors seeking the “real” experience, deferred payment might sound appealing. But in reality, it’s impossible. In English, we say “someone has to pay the price.”
10. And if the bill can’t be collected, someone always pays—and it’s never the guest！

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Q2. “What’s an ‘ozashiki asobi’?”

1. It’s the game time in geisha entertainment, where guests compete directly with a geisha.
2. One popular game is Konpira Funabune. It’s based on a traditional jingle inviting people to take a boat ride to a famous shrine.
3. The rhythm gradually speeds up, which makes it perfect for a game.
4. A cushion is placed between the guest and the geisha, with a bowl on top. Following the rhythm, players take turns either taking the bowl or touching it—using an open palm.
5. When your opponent takes the bowl, you must hit the cushion with a fist. If you mix them up—open palm on the cushion or fist on the bowl—you lose.
6. It may look like child’s play, but in this parlor game the geisha—elegantly dressed artists—sit right in front of the audience, who watch the intense showdown.
7. Once people realize this is a tradition that goes back centuries, they get surprisingly competitive. This is the essence of geisha asobi.
8. But after hosting many international guests, I’ve noticed something interesting.
9. People often assume geisha are playing along with the guests—but in reality, it’s usually the guests who end up playing along with the geisha, much like patrons did in the samurai era.
10. So… does that mean everyone here is becoming a patron tonight?

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