Memoirs of a geisha

Geisha is an ancient and honorable profession in Japan. Geisha are not just girls for entertaining guests, they are traditions, ancient art and history. We invite you to look at the representatives of this ancient profession in its "golden age".

Two geisha host a samurai in Japan, circa 1880. (Photo by Hulton Archive)

Two geisha practice their skills; one of them plays the traditional Japanese shamisen. OK. 1950. (Photo by Three Lions)

A typical Japanese geisha in a kimono. OK. 1950. (Photo by Evans/Three Lions)

A group of geisha in traditional costumes, November 1937. (Photo by Fox Photos)

A girl in a typical geisha kimono. OK. 1950. (Photo by Evans/Three Lions)

Japanese geisha with traditional makeup. Ca. 1900. (Photo by Felice A. Beato)

A group of rural geishas and maids circa 1943. This speckled outfit is worn when geisha are working in the field or doing chores around the house. It's called a mumpey. (Photo by Three Lions)

A Western visitor uses the services of a Japanese geisha, circa 1955. (Photo by Fox Photos)

A group of geisha from Beppa, Japan, on March 8, 1920. (Photo by Spencer Arnold)

Geisha arranges her shoe collection, circa 1955. (Photo by Orlando/Three Lions)

Geisha entertain a group of men – they must ensure that their cups are always full. Ok. 1955. (Photo by Three Lions)

American actress Betty Grable (1916-1973) as a geisha in a scene from the musical "Call Me Mister" on January 2, 1951. (Photo by Keystone)

Japanese geisha in a kimono and with a shamisen, circa 1950. The shamisen is a traditional Japanese plucked musical instrument. (Photo by Evans/Three Lions)

A Japanese geisha is carried around the city during the Ebisu Festival, 1928. (Photo by Kutschuk/London Express)

A geisha gives a visitor a beer in 1955. (Photo by Fox Photos)

Geisha play go on May 2, 1957. (Photo by Keystone Features)

A geisha shyly laughs with a visitor around 1955. (Photo by Three Lions)

Japanese geisha from the trade union are trying to negotiate better working conditions, circa 1935. (Photo by Hulton Archive)

British actor Cary Grant (1904-1986) watches as the actress teaches how to walk like a geisha before filming his new film "Madame Butterfly", 1932. (Photo by Margaret Chute)

Geisha, circa 1865. (Photo by Felice Beato)

Geisha without wigs, circa 1950. (Photo by Three Lions)

A girl in a traditional kimono is taught to play the shamisen, circa 1950. (Photo by Evans/Three Lions)

Geisha serve tea on board a ship on the Niagara River, circa 1950. (Photo by Three Lions)

Geisha in aprons over kimonos serve food to Japanese sailors on Navy Day in Tokyo, circa 1937. (Photo by Hulton Archive)

A geisha walks home past umbrellas drying in an alley, circa 1955. (Photo by Three Lions)

A group of geisha in training, circa 1955. (Photo by Central Press)