Oriental Woman Plate

Our western images of the geisha were very limited until recent times. When we thought of the country of Japan, we have come to picture the geisha with her painted white face, and cherry red lips.

Probably the next image we get is her elegant and colorful kimono, perhaps dancing, singing, playing the traditional 3 stringed instrument known as the "shamisen".

Unfortunately we also adopted the image of "prostitute".

Technically "geisha" refers to "one who lives as art". What "art" are we referring to? It is a multifaceted art, playing the shamisen, drums, dancing, performing the tea ceremony, calligraphy and the ability to converse.