Japanese Maiko & Geisha

The Geisha are traditional entertainers in Japanese culture. Many parts of their profession are still shrouded in secrecy but they are not considered to be prostitutes. Their focus has always been upon learning the traditional Japanese arts and using their skills to impress wealthy men.

In the past Geisha girls (Called Maiko) would spend nearly their entire lives training for their future profession. Geisha houses would buy young girls from poor families and then take over the responsibility of caring for them and raising them. A geisha girl (Maiko) would then spend the rest of her training living within the Geisha house. She would pay for her education and board by eventually becoming an assistant to a senior Geisha and then becoming a Geisha herself. In order to become Geisha, Maiko had to learn many skills such as song, drum, and arts of gracious etiquette. Once viewed as full-fledged, Maiko was allowed to become Geisha.

Today it is to longer the practice to buy young girls but instead becoming a Geisha is entirely voluntary. Girls will typically enter Geisha training in their late teens. These women will learn the arts of poetry, music, dance and other forms of entertainment.

There is a belief among many non-Japanese that Geisha are akin to prostitution but this has never been the case. It has been known for some prostitutes to try and capitalize on the popularity of the Geisha, but a true Geisha will never involve herself in sexual relations with her clients. In the past it was common for a Geisha to take a “Danna” or patron who would pay for her costs of living. This patron could be a wealthy man, sometimes married who is able to take on the high costs of Geisha training. The Geisha may or may not have been in love with her patron but sexual intimacy between the two was never part of a financial agreement. But still today the truth about this relationship is unknown even among many Japanese.

The number of true Geisha in Japan has been gradually dwindling, in the 1920s there were tens of thousands of Geisha but today their numbers are less than 2000. A Geisha’s time can be measured in a number of different ways and one of the most traditional is for it to be measured in the amount of time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

Yoshitoku Doll Company

Yoshitoku was founded in 1711, Edo era, as Doll and Toy Wholesaler. The 6Th Edo Shogun gave the name “Yoshino-ya” (Shop name) with the first name “Tokubei”. The name “Yoshi-Toku” came from the combination of the shop name and the first name. The name “Tokubei” has been inherited to the next generation through its 300 year history.
Yoshitoku, first of the kind, with its tradition and the high quality of artistic craftsmanship, has dealt in Doll for girl, Miniature Armor & Helmet for boy (Yoroi / Kabuto), and other arts & crafts. Yoshitoku name is branded as it has delivered many art & crafts to Japanese Royal family at the princess and the prince birth. The tradition will be carried on to the next generation orever.

The picture is Yoshitoku 11th Tokubei presented a Ichimatsu doll to Princess Diana.

Battledore

Hanetsuki (battledore and shuttlecock) began in the 14th century. According to the pictures which depict Hanetsuki in the 1600's, the exorcism ceremony of New Year’s Day in the imperial court were drawn on the battledore. When the battledore started to bear paddled pictures of the figures of Kabuki actors in the latter part of the Edo period, it became much more gorgeous and became popular among commoners. The reason for displaying battledore and presenting a battledore to the newly born baby girl is to dispel ill sprits so that she will grow up healthy.

Hina Doll

From the ancient Japan, people transferred their misfortunes befallen them to dolls and exorcised them on March 3rd. The dolls are called “Hitogata” which is human figure made of paper or straw and used to be set adrift at sea or down a river. This custom was connected with “doll-house-play” among girls during the 8th century and developed into Hina Festival of today. Today, just as olden day households with young girls, we display Hina Dolls and celebrate Hina Festival to pray for their happiness on March 3rd.

History of Japanese Dolls

Japanese dolls have always been a very important part of Japanese culture due to the fact that they are often created as part of household shines and as a way to give and receive blessings. In Japanese these dolls are called Ningyo which literally translates to human shape. The most prominent time when dolls are created and displayed in modern Japan is during the Hinamatsuri or the Japanese Doll Festival.

The tradition of creating dolls is steeped in Japanese culture with the earliest known records around 3 BC but it is suggested that this tradition may go even further back. In 3 BC it was written in the records of the Ise Temple that grass dolls would be made and blessed before being thrown into the river close to the shine. This tradition still continues today in the form of the Hinamatsuri in which dolls are created, placed into small boats and sent out to sea. This tradition is done to send away bad spirits and bring forth new blessings.

The ancient Jomon culture in Japan which reigned from 8000 – 200 BC was known to create humanoid figures but it is unknown if these dolls had the same significance that they would later have for the Japanese people. In the Kofun culture which lasted from 300 -600 AD it was customary to create funeral figures but this practice is largely extinct today.

In the early eleventh century Japanese dolls began to take on the form that they are known to have today. During the peak of Heian period there were a number of different types of dolls including dolls for play and dolls for protection. They were also used in religious ceremonies in which they would take on the sins of any person they touched.

It was during the Edo period from around 1603-1867 that the practice of artesian dollmakers developed. These dollmakers would strive to create sets of dolls that would be displayed in the homes of the rich. This practice continues to this day during the Hinamatsuri festival it is traditional for people to display a Hina set in their home. A traditional hina set consists of 15 Japanese Dolls which can differ from household to household but a usual set is done in a male-female pattern, often referred to as the Emperor and Empress.

The Japanese doll tradition has existed for thousands of years and is perhaps one of the longest lasting and most historical Japanese traditions. After centuries of perfection these dolls are now truly intricate and beautiful dolls, that are unmatched by any other.

Japanese Doll Festival

Every year on March 3 in Japan a festival takes place called Hinamatsuri. This festival has many names including the doll festival and Girl’s Day. During this festival large tiered red platforms are created to display Japanese dolls. These dolls are referred to as hina-ningyo and are traditional ornamental dolls dressed in traditional clothing. Typically these dolls are created to represent the Emperor, the Empress, and their attendants and musicians. The placement of these dolls is often strictly adhered to.
The placement of the Japanese dolls is as follows: The top tier holds the Emperor and the Empress. The second tier holds three court ladies. The third tier is reserved for five musicians and the fourth tier contains two ministers. The bottom tier holds three servants. It is also typical for representations of household items such as small furniture and meals to be placed beside the Japanese dolls.
The festival actually draws its roots from the period in which it was tradition for Japanese dolls to be set afloat. This tradition was known as hina-nagashi and it entailed created straw hina dolls, putting them in boats and setting them afloat down the river and to the sea. This was supposed to carry away troubles and bad spirits. The practice of sending them down rivers has come out of practice as fishermen were often catching the dolls in their nets. Now the dolls are sent out to sea. Once the spectators have left the boats are collected and then brought back to the temple to be burned.
Today this day is meant as a way for families to wish their daughters happiness and a successful life. It is traditional for Japanese dolls to be displayed in the home along with peach blossoms and traditional sweet sake called amazake is served. This sake is non-alcoholic and made from fermented rice. There are also traditional forms of sushi and crackers that are meant to be eaten on this day.
There are even songs sung during the festival, one of which is Ureshii Hinamatsuri or Happy Hinamatsuri and the lyrics when translated to English are as follows:

Let's light the lanterns
Let's set peach flowers
Five court musicians are playing flutes and drums
Today is a joyful Dolls' Festival!