What Does a Geisha Do?: The History of Geisha Part 2 (From the Meiji Era Onwards)
What Does a Geisha Do?: The History of Geisha Part 2 (From the Meiji Era Onwards) The Evolution of Geisha Districts from the Meiji to Showa Era When the Edo period ended, and the Meiji era began (1868-1912), the practice of indentured servitude for Geisha was abolished, and their debts were forgiven, making them free individuals. New regulations known as the “Kashiseki Tosei Kisoku” and “Geigi Kisoku” were established, allowing anyone who wished to become a Geisha to apply for and receive a license. These regulations led to the creation of new geisha districts across Japan. The six geisha districts that still remain today—Shinbashi, Akasaka, Yoshicho (Nihonbashi Ningyocho), Kagurazaka, Asakusa, and Mukojima—were also established. The Meiji government, aiming to modernize the nation, organized and regulated the geisha districts for better tax management. The top-ranking districts were Shinbashi and Yanagibashi. Shinbashi, located near government offices, became particularly popular among government officials, leading to its growth. Some Shinbashi Geisha even became the wives of high-ranking government officials, distinguishing them from their counterparts in Yanagibashi. The cultural expectations for Geisha in Shinbashi deepened as they hosted many tea parties for wealthy businessmen and government officials. The Akasaka geisha district also saw remarkable