New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-16
THE REAL GEISH4.
f'eJC OccideHtdIs kHOzc Her Chdrac-
teriStics or Haze Net Her.

The difference between a mans theories as TO
what woman ought 70 be and the qualities which
co in reality attract him to the opposite
where more strikiDsly Illustrated the present
day than in Japan. There as in ancient Athens.
the theory has produced one class of women and
the practice an entirely different oua. "A pheuome-
non which is interestingly discussed a recent
number OF the Nineteenth Century" by Reginald
J. Ferrer.
A gentle. immemOriaI vac,,ity is the finest quail
hcat.on for the position Of wifeh0od in Japan
says Mr.. Ferrer-
a typicauy good japanese wife is one after the
heart of PericIes, OF whom the least possible IS
heard. either at home abroad. Her duties ara
housekeeping. son bearing and a smiling silence.
Her position, her opportunities her previous train
ing. combine To forbid her brilancy OF thought
utterance. She has learnt little. and cultivated
no con versatiOu. having need She Is typically
good woman, necessary. but uunOticed. The result
is that her husband is trained into attitude OF
half unconscious but dominant contempt He be-
comes selfish and fretfuL Patient GirseIda pals
upon aim, bOres, eXasperates- She is good and
sweet. and. like 50 many OF the good and sweet. SO
unsatisfying. Inadequate so nuIL And the
Japanese brain is full OF quick movements and
ardent appetites. IL may be imagined how the
grows disdainfUIly ignore his gentle saint
home The wife belongs to the class 10
whom mental charms not permitted. Japan has
produced many female poets and authOrs-two. In
deed. who stand the worlds front rank.
Murasakt and Sci ShOnagon- But al these have
PLY. or ladies' OF gIittering Bohemian ways.
To the married woman alone Is forbidden that
the Japanese temperament at gravesr at gayest-
And thus she IS deprived or the STRONGEST chain
man through the long years OF MARRIAGE. Her
be kept honorably safe. but ignored Meanwhis
he pines for Intellectual company and relaxation.
and this he seeks in special class tAat arose long
ago 70 satisfy Just this very need created by ths
Japanese social system OF choiceless marriage.
- The women or this class are called GelShaS. and
though the word has become a familiar one on
- -r-t+ilJ7,- - 80 49, -
decent teahOUse admits foreigners except on the
famous Ceisha IS TOO great TO come before any
European except for an august or imperial COM
Degradation, the article continues. has attended
the profession OF the Geisha. as was also TIA
case in Athens but originally she a companion
trained 70 charm and amuse. and she Is still IN
theory the minister OF purely intellectual pleasures
She Is woman educated to attract: perfected from
her childhood In al the tntr1cactes OF Japanese
literature; practised IN wit and repartee; Injured
10 the rapid give and take OF conversation on every
she is broken in to tuviOIable charm OF manner
incOmprehensibe the finest European. yet shs
with dumpy claws. and squat, ugly nails. Her
education. physical and moral. IS far harder than
that OF the bauertna. and her success is achieved
only after years OF struggle and bitter agony OF
Her voics is broken by an incredible torment o.
midnight exposure to the low. dull tone required by
joy TO the spectators. are torment to the dancer,
The social position or the Cieisha Mr.. Ferrer com
pares 70 that or the actress In Europe ana America
The Geisha house has prizes as desirable as any
OF the Western stage A great CTelSna With twenty
mobiles sitting round her. COnJending for her
laughter. and kept in constant check by the fash
ing bodkin or her wit holds a position less high
and famous than II ar OF Sarah BernhardL in her
prime She Is equally sought. equally battered
quite as rnadIv adOFed that quiet little elderly
plain girl in dull blue But she is priced thus
primarily for her tongue. whose power only ripens
fully as her physical charms decline. She demands
vast sums FOR her owners. and even often ap-
pears and dances only at her own pleasure
Finally she NAV. and frequently does. marry into
exalted places celestial circles. and
on 10 the very steps OF the throne itself. Many
are the sad tales OF Cfeisha's love. and many
though fewer the tales that not sad. Alone
among the women OF her race she is free and her
heart has room 10 grow.