Roxana Wrote:
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> Geisha are very touchy about the prostitution
> thing, and rightly so. Geisha sold their skills as
> entertainers not their bodies.

all I can say about that is My Aunt by marriage is Japanse and she would say they are prostitutes. more than half their training is in the art of Sex.

a few books of interest:

" Geisha Secrets "
FROM THE PUBLISHER:
The world of Japanese geisha culture has long commanded worldwide interest and fascination. A document of this culture, as well as an exercise in erotic tradition, the "pillow book," was first used during Japan's Kamakura period (1192-1333). It then developed into a wider range of boudoir literature. Others became illustrated portfolios, or shunga, traditional Japanese erotic art that recalls great eighteenth-century masters such as Hokusai and Utamaro, as well as today's popular Manga comics. These pillow books were used by courtesans and geishas to aid sexual exploration, and throughout history also became a cultural guide to the world of the geisha, describing training, dress, makeup, and style, both public and private.

[btobsearch.barnesandnoble.com]

Makura-no-soshi (The Pillow Book) by Sei Shonagon written around 1002 a link that might help
[genji54.com]

Now it is true that
> in the bad old days a novice Geisha (Maiko) would
> be ceremonially deflowered by a client before
> starting her career, (this is no longer done). And
> it is also true that Geisha sometimes become the
> mistresses of important or wealthy men but they -
> and I - feel there is a difference between being
> kept by one man and selling yourself to many.

Geisha trained for years for their position, culture, etiquette, sex, posture, manners, poetry, painting,literature, calligraphy, massage styles, and every ceremony for every occasion.

Geisha occupied a high station in Ancient Japan, and I guess they still do.

Kept women in the west, learn how to put on make up, and suck bank accounts dry.

personal note: it only makes a woman cheap, sleazy and a parasite to be kept at least in America.

BTW
> this practice too is supposed to have died out.

other than that, the Geisha practiced an art form, and culturally were not viewed as prostitutes. but rather artists. My Aunts opinion not withstanding, she is the first to admit how much she has embraced American Values LOL.

Stephanie:

"Chiaki Kuriyami may not have a recognizable name but I'm certain many would recognize her from her role in Kill Bill (remember the cute killer in the school girl uniform?)."

yes who could ever have imagined three great fantasys combined into one..... a gorgeous oriental woman who was a tough, smart, deadly catholic school girl. >grin<

other than that Kill bill sucked LOL

and I personally am glad white face is out. not being japanese,it was disturbing on some level LOL