Memoirs of a Geisha (26 photos)

Being a geisha is an ancient and revered profession in Japan. Far more than mere entertainers, geishas are living embodiments of tradition, fine art, and history. Here is a look back at the women of this time-honored profession during its "golden age."







Two geishas entertaining a samurai in Japan, circa 1880. (Photo by Hulton Archive)





Two geishas practicing their craft, one playing a traditional Japanese shamisen. Circa 1950. (Photo by Three Lions)



A Japanese geisha in traditional kimono attire. Circa 1950. (Photo by Evans/Three Lions)



A group of geishas wearing traditional dress, November 1937. (Photo by Fox Photos)



A young girl dressed in a traditional geisha kimono. Circa 1950. (Photo by Evans/Three Lions)



A Japanese geisha wearing traditional makeup. Circa 1900. (Photo by Felice A. Beato)



A group of rural geishas and maids, circa 1943. This patterned outfit, known as a mampei, was worn while working in the fields or performing household chores. (Photo by Three Lions)



A Western guest being entertained by a Japanese geisha, circa 1955. (Photo by Fox Photos)



A group of geishas in Beppu, Japan, March 8, 1920. (Photo by Spencer Arnold)



A geisha arranging her footwear collection, circa 1955. (Photo by Orlando/Three Lions)



Geishas entertaining a group of men, making sure their cups remain filled. Circa 1955. (Photo by Three Lions)



American actress Betty Grable (1916–1973) posed as a geisha in a scene from the musical "Call Me Mister," January 2, 1951. (Photo by Keystone)



A Japanese geisha in a kimono holding a shamisen—a traditional Japanese three-stringed plucked instrument—circa 1950. (Photo by Evans/Three Lions)



A Japanese geisha carried through the streets during the Ebisu Festival, 1928. (Photo by Kutschuk/London Express)



A geisha serving beer to a patron, 1955. (Photo by Fox Photos)



Geishas playing the board game Go, May 2, 1957. (Photo by Keystone Features)



A geisha sharing a coy laugh with a guest, circa 1955. (Photo by Three Lions)



Unionized Japanese geishas negotiating for better working conditions, circa 1935. (Photo by Hulton Archive)



British actor Cary Grant (1904–1986) watches an actress demonstrate the graceful gait of a geisha ahead of filming "Madame Butterfly," 1932. (Photo by Margaret Chute)



A geisha, circa 1865. (Photo by Felice Beato)



Geishas pictured without their wigs, circa 1950. (Photo by Three Lions)



A young girl in a traditional kimono receiving lessons on the shamisen, circa 1950. (Photo by Evans/Three Lions)



Geishas serving tea aboard a boat on the Niagara River, circa 1950. (Photo by Three Lions)



Geishas wearing aprons over their kimonos serve food to Japanese sailors on Navy Day in Tokyo, circa 1937. (Photo by Hulton Archive)



A geisha walking home past umbrellas drying in an alleyway, circa 1955. (Photo by Three Lions)



A group of geishas in training, circa 1955. (Photo by Central Press)