Geisha is an ancient and honorable profession in Japan. Geisha are not just girls to entertain guests, they are traditions, ancient art and history. We invite you to look at the representatives of this ancient profession in its “golden age”.
1. Two geishas receive a samurai in Japan, circa 1880. (Photo by Hulton Archive)
2. Two geisha practice their skills; one of them plays a traditional Japanese shamisen. OK. 1950. (Photo by Three Lions)
3. Typical Japanese geisha in a kimono. OK. 1950. (Photo by Evans/Three Lions)
4. A group of geishas in traditional costumes, November 1937. (Photo by Fox Photos)
5. A girl in a typical geisha kimono. OK. 1950. (Photo by Evans/Three Lions)
6. Japanese geisha with traditional makeup. OK. 1900. (Photo by Felice A. Beato)
7. A group of rural geishas and maids around 1943. This speckled outfit is worn when geisha work in the fields or do housework. It's called mampey. (Photo by Three Lions)
8. Western visitor uses the services of a Japanese geisha, ca. 1955 (Photo by Fox Photos)
9. A group of geishas from Beppa, Japan, March 8, 1920. (Photo by Spencer Arnold)
10. Geisha arranges her shoe collection, ca. 1955. (Photo by Orlando/Three Lions)
11. Geisha entertain a group of men - they must ensure that their cups are always full. OK. 1955. (Photo by Three Lions)
12. American actress Betty Grable (1916-1973) as a geisha in a scene from the musical “Call Me Mister” on January 2, 1951. (Photo by Keystone)
13. Japanese geisha in kimono and with shamisen, ca. 1950. The shamisen is a traditional Japanese plucked musical instrument. (Photo by Evans/Three Lions)
14. A Japanese geisha is carried through the city during the Ebisu festival, 1928. (Photo by Kutschuk/London Express)
15. A geisha gives a visitor beer in 1955. (Photo by Fox Photos)
16. Geisha playing Go on May 2, 1957. (Photo by Keystone Features)
17. A geisha laughs shyly with a visitor, circa 1955. (Photo by Three Lions)
18. Japanese geisha from the trade union try to negotiate better working conditions, approx. 1935. (Photo by Hulton Archive)
19. British actor Cary Grant (1904-1986) watches an actress teach how to walk like a geisha before filming his new film Madama Butterfly, 1932. (Photo by Margaret Chute)
20. Geisha, ok. 1865. (Photo by Felice Beato)
21. Geishas without wigs, ca. 1950. (Photo by Three Lions)
22. A girl in a traditional kimono is taught to play the shamisen, ca. 1950. (Photo by Evans/Three Lions)
23. Geisha serving tea on board a ship on the Niagara River, ca. 1950. (Photo by Three Lions)
24. Geishas wearing aprons over kimonos serve food to Japanese sailors on Navy Day in Tokyo, ca. 1937. (Photo by Hulton Archive)
25. A geisha walks home past umbrellas drying in the alley, approx. 1955. (Photo by Three Lions)
26. A group of geishas in training, ca. 1955. (Photo by Central Press)
