GEISHA (a Chino-

See also:

• JAPANESE

Japanese word meaning "

See also:

• PERSON, OFFENCES AGAINST THE

person of pleasing accomplishments ")  , strictly the name of the professional dancing and singing girls of Japan . The word is, however, often loosely used for the girls and women inhabiting Shin Yoshiwara, the prostitutes' quarter of Tokyo . The training of the true Geisha or singing girl, which includes lessons in dancing, begins often as early as her seventh year . Her apprenticeship over, she contracts with her employer for a number of years, and is seldom able to reach independence except by marriage . There is a capitation fee of two yen per month on the actual singing girls, and of one yen on the apprentices . See Jukichi Inouye, Sketches of Tokyo Life .