22 In short, cultural maintenance is an act to preserve the culture of a certain
area which wa s shared by and transmitted among members of society, so it won‘t
vanish or extinct.
3.4.5. Japanese Culture
The culture of Japan had been evolved greatly over the millennia from the countrys prehistoric
Jōmon period to its contemporary hybrid culture, which combines influences from Asia, Europe, and North America. The inhabitants of
Japan experienced a long period of relative isolation from the outside world during the Tokugawa shogunate, until the arrival of The Black Ships and the
Meiji period.
3.4.5.1 The origin of Geisha
It is important to know the art of Geisha before going through deeper on Geisha itself. It is necessary to understand the arts that the Geisha
obtained and preserved until now do not come from nowhere forming their shape by themselves but have been through a series of long process in many
aspects. From the long process, lead to the old Japanese culture that must be reserved by them because it is originally come from their ancestor. That is
why, the art of Geisha contains a lot of historical value that can be learnt. www.sofieloafy.netG_history.htm.
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3.4.5.2 Shirabyoshi
Shirabyoshi is an event where dancers performed traditional Japanese dances and dressed as men. The profession of Shirabyoshi
developed in 12th century, in the late Heian Period. Shirabyoshi were always
woman who dressed in men‘s attire, performed some dances for gods and painted their face ghastly white. The name Shirabyoshi means
―white rhythm,‖ partly because of their make-up and their songs are slow and rhythmic. They were required to be educated, able to read and write.
They were talented poets, musicians, singers, and dancers.
3.4.5.3 Taikomochi, Hokan
Taikomochi appeared in the late of 1600s era. These Geishas were men. Their lively risque patter made the guest and the yujo sex
professional, a prostitute laugh. Comedians and musicians, these men made all-around good company for parties. In 1751 the first onna taiko-mochi
female drum bearers arrived of a party and caused quite a stir. She was called geisha arts girl the term still used for geisha in Kyoto today. By the
end of the 1700s these onna geisha outnumbered the male geisha, the taikamochi and the men became so few that they started to name by otoko
geisha male geisha. The men continued to assist the women, now is known by the
Geisha in the entertainment field. Downer informs that in Yoshiwara in 1770, there were 16 female Geishas and 31 male Geishas.
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3.4.5.4 Kikuya