History Main / Geisha

* Yumi's Lyoko form in ''WesternAnimation/CodeLyoko'' seems to be based at least in part on that of a Geisha, altered into that of an ActionGirl. (Until the fourth season where Jeremie's upgrade makes her look more like a Ninja.)
* The makeup that the ActionGirl team Kyoshi Warriors from ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' sport is influenced by geisha makeup in addition to using influences from Kabuki makeup, plus their outfits are Samurai-influenced. It's not surprising that their makeup is based on Avatar Kyoshi's makeup.

* FemmeFatale: Often play the part in Japanese tales and older literature and modern media, but not to the extent that the [[https://people.clas.ufl.edu/jshoaf/japanese-dolls/floating-world/onnagata/]] oiran did in theatre plays.

* FemmeFatale: Often play the part in Japanese tales and older literature and modern media, but not to the extent that the [[https://woodblockprints.org/index.php/Detail/Object/Show/object_id/959 "castle-toppler"]] oiran did in theatre plays.

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[[folder:Tabletop Game]]

* KimonoFanService: The style they wear screams ''fancy'' in Kimonese.

* The album cover for Music/{{Sparks}}' breakthrough album ''KimonoMyHouse'' had two geishas with one winking and another with her hair down.

* ''Videogame/SoulSeries'': In all of Setsuka’s incarnations, she has been depicted as wearing a kimono or a similar robe. Her first design, as seen in ''VideoGame/SoulCaliburIII'', was similar to the Japanese courtesans known as Oiran, who wore cosmetics and clothing similar to geisha but tied their sashes in the front of their belts instead of wearing a backwards obi. This similarity was referenced in one of Setsuka’s kicks, “Oiran kick”.

For a long time the role of the geisha has been seen as mysterious, exotic, and alluring. [[{{MistakenForProstitute}} Contrary to popular belief]], geisha are '''not''' prostitutes (that would be ''yuujo'' or "pleasure women", of which the top tier were the famous [[HighClassCallGirl ''oiran'' or ''tayuu'']], both predating geisha), but rather practitioners of the traditional arts, party hostesses and professional conversationalists, with stage names and distinct personal lives. On the other hand they weren't nuns either, as a geisha was free to be romantically and/or sexually involved with guests. Sex for money is off the menu though - back in the day, even before prostitution was banned in Japan in 1956, prostitutes had to be licensed to work as such, and geisha were licensed as geisha; [[MyGirlIsNotASlut a woman couldn't hold both licenses, it was illegal]]. That hasn't stopped them from being the object of many a fantasy.

* FemmeFatale: Often play the part in Japanese tales and older literature and modern media, but not to the extent that the [[https://woodblockprints.org/index.php/Detail/Object/Show/object_id/959c "castle-toppler"]] oiran did in theatre plays.

* FemmeFatale: Often play the part in Japanese tales and older literature and modern media, but not to the extent that the [[https://woodblockprints.org/index.php/Detail/Object/Show/object_id/959c"castle-toppler"]] oiran did in theatre plays.

* FemmeFatale: Often play the part in Japanese tales and older literature and modern media, but not to the extent that the "castle-topper" oiran did in theatre plays.

For a long time the role of the geisha has been seen as mysterious, exotic, and alluring. [[{{MistakenForProstitute}} Contrary to popular belief]], geisha are '''not''' prostitutes (that would be ''yuujo'' or "pleasure women", of which the top tier were the famous [[HighClassCallGirl ''oiran'' or ''tayuu'']], both predating geisha), but rather practitioners of the traditional arts, party hostesses and professional conversationalists, with stage names and distinct personal lives. On the other hand they weren't nuns either, as a geisha was free to be romantically and/or sexually involved with guests. Sex for money is off the menu though - back in the day, even before prostitution was bbanned in Japan in 1956, prostitutes had to be licensed to work as such, and geisha were licensed as geisha; [[MyGirlIsNotASlut a woman couldn't hold both licenses, it was illegal]]. That hasn't stopped them from being the object of many a fantasy.

For a long time the role of the geisha has been seen as mysterious, exotic, and alluring. [[{{MistakenForProstitute}} Contrary to popular belief]], geisha are '''not''' prostitutes (that would be ''yuujo'' or "pleasure women", of which the top tier were the famous [[EliteManCourtesanRomance ''oiran'' or ''tayuu'']], both predating geisha), but rather practitioners of the traditional arts, party hostesses and professional conversationalists, with stage names and distinct personal lives. On the other hand they weren't nuns either, as a geisha was free to be romantically and/or sexually involved with guests. Sex for money is off the menu though - back in the day, even before prostitution was bbanned in Japan in 1956, prostitutes had to be licensed to work as such, and geisha were licensed as geisha; [[MyGirlIsNotASlut a woman couldn't hold both licenses, it was illegal]]. That hasn't stopped them from being the object of many a fantasy.

''Geisha'', also known as ''geiko'' or ''geiki'', are traditional Japanese female entertainers whose skills include music and dance, fine conversation, and tea ceremony. Geisha are easily recognizable by their hairstyle, their elaborate UsefulNotes/{{kimono}} and their white make-up. Geisha who have not yet completed their training are called ''maiko'' ("dancing girl"), and tend to be more colorfully arrayed than their adult counterparts, with different hair pieces for each month, and different styles according to the level of apprenticeship. A young maiko is apprenticed to an ''onee-san'' (big sister), a fully-fledged geisha whom she assists, resides with, and learns from.

For a long time the role of the geisha has been seen as mysterious, exotic, and alluring. Contrary to popular belief, geisha are '''not''' prostitutes (that would be ''yuujo'' or "pleasure women", of which the top tier were the famous ''oiran'' or ''tayuu''); prostitution as such was abolished in Japan in 1956 (At least in theory; the law only defined prostitution very narrowly as certain kinds of sex acts. In reality Japan has thousands of brothels and it is not at all difficult to purchase sex without any worry about prosecution, and being a sex worker does not have the (same) stigma that there is in the West.), but rather artists, party hostesses and professional conversationalists, with stage names and distinct personal lives. On the other hand they weren't nuns either. Before [[UsefulNotes/WorldWarII WWII]], geisha could be employed as professional mistresses, but sex with customers is off the menu these days. That hasn't stopped them from being prime fetish material.

It is interesting to consider that prior to [[JoshiKousei Schoolgirl]] or [[{{Meido}} Maid]] characters, geisha were considered the archetype of Japanese femininity, and as such, the term "YamatoNadeshiko" could be applied to them.

* FemmeFatale: Often play the part in Japanese tales and older literature, but not to the extent that the "castle-topper" oiran did in theatre plays.

* KimonoFanService: The style they wear screams "teh sexx" in Kimonese.

* Because Chamberlain Oishi spent two years partying in the pleasure quarters [[ObfuscatingStupidity for cover]], any version of the story of UsefulNotes/The47Ronin--like, say, ''Film/The47Ronin'' (1941)--will show some geisha and prostitutes.

* ''Series/NightAndDay'''s Jane Harper is working as a geisha by the time we finally re-encounter her in the flesh, a full year since her initial disappearance. She's now black-haired, amnesia-stricken, and in residence at a club called the Black Chrysanthemum, where it seems she is required to work as a prostitute.

* Kokoro from ''VideoGame/DeadorAlive'' series is a ''maiko'' in training by her mother Miyako, a retired geisha [[spoiler:who's also a scientist for [[EvilInc DOATEC]] and partner of Lisa Hamilton]]. Her ending in ''[[FirstAppearance DOA4]]'' hinted that she eventually will become a proper geisha in a future.

For a long time the role of the geisha has been seen as mysterious, exotic, and alluring. Contrary to popular belief, geisha are '''not''' prostitutes (that would be ''yuujo'' or "pleasure women", of which the top tier were the famous ''oiran'' or ''tayuu''); prostitution as such was abolished in Japan in 1956 (At least in theory; the law only defined very narrowly as certain kinds of sex acts. In reality Japan has thousands of brothels and it is not at all difficult to purchase sex without any worry about prosecution, and being a sex worker does not have the stigma that there is in the West.), but rather artists, party hostesses and professional conversationalists, with stage names and distinct personal lives. On the other hand they weren't nuns either. Before [[UsefulNotes/WorldWarII WWII]], geisha could be employed as professional mistresses, but sex with customers is off the menu these days. That hasn't stopped them from being prime fetish material.

* Quite a few American movies of the 50s and 60s would show some geisha for exotic fanservice: from ''My Geisha'' with Shirley [=McLaine=] undergoing a geiko henshin to re-seduce her fiance to ''The Geisha Boy'' with Jerry Lewis (not as a geisha, thank goodness) to ''Theatre/TheTeahouseOfTheAugustMoon'' with Creator/MachikoKyo as the geisha "Lotus Blossom".

* Benio's friend Kichiji from ''Manga/HaikaraSanGaTooru''. [[spoiler: Benio herself tries to become one to support Shinobu's grandparents economically, but it doesn't work and she becomes a HotScoop instead.]]

''Geisha'', also known as ''geiko'' or ''geiki'', are traditional Japanese female entertainers whose skills include music and dance, fine conversation, and tea ceremony. Geisha are easily recognizable by their hairstyle, their elaborate {{kimono}} and their white make-up. Geisha who have not yet completed their training are called ''maiko'' ("dancing girl"), and tend to be more colorfully arrayed than their adult counterparts, with different hair pieces for each month, and different styles according to the level of apprenticeship. A young maiko is apprenticed to an ''onee-san'' (big sister), a fully-fledged geisha whom she assists, resides with, and learns from.

For a long time the role of the geisha has been seen as mysterious, exotic, and alluring. Contrary to popular belief, geisha are '''not''' prostitutes (that would be ''yuujo'' or "pleasure women", of which the top tier were the famous ''oiran'' or ''tayuu''); prostitution as such was abolished in Japan in 1956 [[spoiler:legally. And only defined very narrowly as certain kinds of sex acts (typically "the usual one"). In reality Japan has thousands of brothels and it is not at all difficult to purchase sex without any worry about prosecution, and being a sex worker does not have the stigma that there is in the West.]], but rather artists, party hostesses and professional conversationalists, with stage names and distinct personal lives. On the other hand they weren't nuns either. Before [[UsefulNotes/WorldWarII WWII]], geisha could be employed as professional mistresses, but sex with customers is off the menu these days. That hasn't stopped them from being prime fetish material.

** Sakura and her older sisters, inspired by the "Kimono Girls" from the games, are also seen dressed as Geishas and performing activities like ikebana and tea ceremony, before changing into normal clothes and accepting Ash's challenges.

* Quite a few American movies of the 50s and 60s would show some geisha for exotic fanservice: from ''My Geisha'' with Shirley [=McLaine=] undergoing a geiko henshin to re-seduce her fiance to ''The Geisha Boy'' with Jerry Lewis (not as a geisha, thank goodness) to ''The Teahouse of the August Moon'' with Machiko Kyo as the geisha "Lotus Blossom".

For a long time the role of the geisha has been seen as mysterious, exotic, and alluring. Contrary to popular belief, geisha are '''not''' prostitutes (that would be ''yuujo'' or "pleasure women", of which the top tier were the famous ''oiran'' or ''tayuu''; prostitution as such was abolished in Japan in 1956 [[spoiler: legally. And only defined very narrowly as certain kinds of sex acts (typically "the usual one"). In reality Japan has thousands of brothels and it is not at all difficult to purchase sex without any worry about prosecution, and being a sex worker does not have the stigma that there is in the West.]] , but rather artists, party hostesses and professional conversationalists, with stage names and distinct personal lives. On the other hand they weren't nuns either. Before [[UsefulNotes/WorldWarII WWII]], geisha could be employed as professional mistresses, but sex with customers is off the menu these days. That hasn't stopped them from being prime fetish material.

For a long time the role of the geisha has been seen as mysterious, exotic, and alluring. Contrary to popular belief, geisha are '''not''' prostitutes (that would be ''yuujo'' or "pleasure women", of which the top tier were the famous ''oiran'' or ''tayuu''; prostitution as such was abolished in Japan in 1956 [[spoiler: legally. And only defined very narrowly as certain kinds of sex acts (typically "the usual one"). In reality Japan has thousands of brothels and it is not at all difficult to purchase sex without any worry about prosecution, and being a sex worker does not have the stigma that there is in the West.]] , but rather artists, party hostesses and professional conversationalists, with stage names and distinct personal lives. On the other hand they weren't nuns either. Before [[UsefulNotes/WorldWarII WWII]], geisha could be employed as professional mistresses, but sex with customers is off the menu these days. That hasn't stopped them from being prime FetishFuel material.