Tourists banned from taking pictures of geisha in Japanese city (2024)

FAQs

Tourists banned from taking pictures of geisha in Japanese city? ›

In 2019, authorities in Kyoto banned photography in the geisha district after instances of tourists chasing geishas, touching their kimonos without consent, and disrespecting the historic sites. Overtourism in the city has become a problem, and locals said they were worried about litter, trespassing, and harassment.

Gion, a historic district in Kyoto, Japan, is set to bar tourists from entering its private streets from April. Residents have complained about tourists misbehaving. Gion is famed for its traditional teahouses where geisha work and entertain guests.

The photography ban, introduced on Oct. 25, is intended to prevent camera-toting tourists from chasing after geiko and maiko or trespassing on private property. Although the ban and fine are not legally binding, the intention is to deliver a strong message.

There is no point harassing the geisha, obstructing their daily routine, jamming cameras in their faces. It's rude, can get you in trouble, ruins every foreigner's reputation and it's a questionable style of photography. Instead, be mindful when taking photos and go beyond obvious portraiture.

You can see geisha perform at a traditional Japanese restaurant (ryotei). A dinner at a ryotei restaurant is costly, but you're guaranteed good food and entertainment. Expect to pay upward of ¥50,000 for a group and a 2-hour dinner and show package.

It's common to hear that geishas are 'married to the art, not to a man. ' As such, geisha are prohibited from getting married and would have to quit the profession if they want to marry. They're also not allowed to have boyfriends, which can make the job less desirable for many women.

Harassment of geishas is rampant. A main tourist attraction in Kyoto is going to be out of bounds for travelers from next month due to badly behaved tourists. The historic geisha district, Gion, teems with tourists who come to spot geishas on the streets.

(Excuse me, may I take a photo of you?)

This is a very polite way of asking – and is very non-aggressive. You can also use this to ask about pictures at maid cafes, cosplayers, and other people that are sort of “public figures” in Japan. If the Geisha replies with 'すみません、今はちょっと..

Some Japanese expressed offence at the three main female roles being played by Chinese actresses; others took issue with the portrayal of geisha in the film, deeming it inaccurate and Westernised.

Geishas are paid according to time consumption. 5. Apprentice Geishas will dye their teeth black before becoming a fully qualified Geisha.

Are geishas sexualized? ›

Although by decree geishas could not advertise as prostitutes or show too much femininity, conversation and song often culminated in sexual acts. Eroticism has since been largely banished from the geisha's profession. Anyone who hires a geisha today is looking for conversation, dance and song.

Start your shikomi training phase at a young age.

She will decide whether or not to accept you into her okiya. While geishas are traditionally women of Japanese origin, a few non-Japanese women have completed geisha training.

Let's remember that a maiko is a geisha/geiko's apprentice, which means that this young girl is in the process of learning and doesn't have the knowledge or the experience of a geisha. The kimono is a Japanese traditional dress that maikos and geishas still wear nowadays, to work and in their daily life.

The Japanese word geisha literally means “art person,” and singing, dancing, and playing the samisen (a lutelike instrument) are indispensable talents for a geisha, along with the ability to make conversation. Many geisha are also adept at flower arranging, performing the tea ceremony, or calligraphy.

“There are two easy ways to distinguish between maiko and geisha,” says Lugasi. “Maiko will have decorations like flowers in her hair, which geiko will not. From behind, the maiko's obi (kimono belt) is long and stretches down almost to the floor while the geiko's obi is folded into a square shape on her back.”

Geisha were entertainers who were indentured to geisha houses through a contract system, whereas concubines had a 'stable, ongoing sexual relationship' with a man of the household but occupied a position below the wife. In Japan, concubines were registered as part of the household until 1882.

There is no official ban on the book "Memoirs of a Geisha" in Japan. However, the book has faced criticism from some Japanese critics who argue that it presents an inaccurate and distorted portrayal of the geisha tradition.

She will decide whether or not to accept you into her okiya. While geishas are traditionally women of Japanese origin, a few non-Japanese women have completed geisha training.

In the past, it was impossible to meet a geisha for first-timers because in Kyoto there is a rule called “ichigensan okotowari” which means personal reference is necessary for a geisha meeting. But, now, for the first time ever, you can meet a real geisha from Kyoto's geisha district online.

Geisha aren't allowed to have a boyfriend. But in the course of work, of entertaining patrons with Japan's highest forms of cultural entertainment, a patron may become fond of a particular geisha.