Painted Lady

Painted Lady (Dialect: Xi Tsai 漆姬) or Tsai Txipayei (姬檎葩葯) it indicates a person who hides away their day life to conceal their identity with the dark. They dress in bright colors to exaggerate the night and play instruments to drown out the silence in the dark. Their talents consist of music, dancing and art. Xi Tsai are artists who work to entertain others. To become a Xi Tsai, most of them chose Lady Kaying as their Patron. Tsia Payei is one of the most famous Painted Lady of her time.
They largely live in Txiameng City and Txi Pa Yei District.
==A Blossomed Life of a Painted Lady==
===Career===
The career of most Xi Tsai was very short, generally peaking at age 18, and over by age 21. Only a few Xi Tsai were able to maintain their business for very long beyond this time. It may be for this reason that the Xi Tsai training institutes accepted entrants as young as eight. All Xi Tsai, even those who did not work as entertainers, were obliged by law to retire at age 30. In the course of their careers, some Xi Tsai were able to amass considerable personal wealth. However, these were the exception. Xi Tsai were required to meet their expenses, including food, clothes, and makeup, out of their own personal funds.
===Becoming a Xi Tsai===
Traditionally, they began their training at a very young age. Although some girls were sold to Jei Li (家月) as children, this was not common practice in reputable districts. Daughters of Xi Tsai were often brought up as Xi Tsai themselves, usually as the successor or daughter-role to the Peony Pavilion.
===Training===
*Novice: Break and Make, and lots of heavy training.
*Server: Continuing the house work, learning to master their own unique artwork and master it.
*Maiden: Assistant to the Xi Tsai to gain experience. Works in prepping, cleaning and working.
*Xi Tsai: Painted ladies of the night to create dreams. Works directly with clients.
=== Music ===
Music was an important factor of the Xi Tsai, as often their career focused around classical music halls and venues. They found an expertise in Silk (Plucked, Bowed, Stuck, Combined), Bamboo, Wood, Stone, Metal, Clay, Gourd, Hide-skin and others. They're famous for the two bowed string instrument Siso, the bamboo pipe Da Blia, and the guitar like Txong.
=== The Eight Art ===
# Philosophy
# Silk & Textile
# Wine & Tea
# Floraux Arrangements
# Calligraphy
# Poetry & Literature
# Music & Art
# Dance & Theatre
== Day of a life of a Painted Lady. ==
A Xi Tsai is a high-ranking courtesan in traditional National society, they were considered to be the elite of the pleasure quarters and were highly trained in the arts of music, dance, and conversation. Their daily routine would have varied depending on the specific brothel (置屋) they were associated with, as well as their own personal circumstances, however, here is an example of a typical daily routine of a Xi Tsai:
* Early morning: The Xi Tsai would wake up early and spend some time preparing for the day. This would include things like bathing, hair and makeup, and getting dressed in traditional National clothing.
* Morning: The Xi Tsai would spend the morning practicing her arts, such as traditional music, dance, and poetry. She would also spend time reading and writing to improve her knowledge and conversation skills.
* Afternoon: The Xi Tsai would receive clients in the afternoon. These clients would be wealthy men from the upper-classes of National society and the Xi Tsai would entertain them with her talents. This could include singing and playing an instrument, performing a traditional dance, or engaging in conversation.
* Evening: After her last client, the Xi Tsai would have dinner and spend time with her fellow courtesans. They would socialize and share stories and gossip.
* Late evening: The Xi Tsai would retire to her private quarters and spend time alone or with her closest companions. She would prepare for the next day and get some rest before starting the routine again.
It's important to note that the life of a Xi Tsai was highly regulated and they were not free to come and go as they pleased, they were also not allowed to marry or leave the pleasure quarters, and were considered to be outside of normal society.
Category:People
Category:Culture