Geisha (or geiko) are professional entertainers who attend to guests during meals, banquets, and other occasions. They are trained in various traditional Japanese arts, such as dance and music, as well as in the art of communication.
Most of them used white face makeup because it looked better in the light, creating a porcelain look. Most of them used Ohaguro which simply means to blacken the teeth.
It’s an old custom prevalent centuries ago among most married Japanese women, members of the aristocratic class, and samurai. It was considered a status symbol to have blackened teeth. The traditional method used involved soaking iron fillings in tea or sake.
Geishas were not prostitutes and were artists, originally assistants to Oirans, which were high-class courtesans. There are three stages of becoming a Geisha: Shikomi for one year to learn dialect and manners, Miako apprenticeship for about five years, and then finally Geisha.
Oirans who were courtesans, were considered in a higher position than Geishas. Courtesans tie their sash in front while geisha tie their sash (obi) in the back.
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