Geisha are traditional, female Japanese entertainers, whose skills include performing various Japanese arts,
such as classical music, dance and performance in front of customers.
The word of Geisha consists of two kanji, gei in Japanese meaning "art" and sha in Japanese meaning "person".
The most direct translation of geisha into English would be "artist" or "performing artist".
Another term used in Japan is geiko in Japanese, a word from the Kyoto dialect.
Full-fledged geisha in Kyoto hanamachi are called geiko.
True geisha usually have had the luxury of a professional aid to help them in the difficult process of dressing;
their clothing is made up of several layers of kimono and undergarments and an obi is more than a simple band of cloth.
Dressing could take over an hour, even with professional help.
Apprentice geisha are called maiko. This word is made of mai in Japanese meaning "dancing" and ko in Japanese meaning "child". It is the maiko, with her white make-up and elaborate kimono, hairstyle and traditional walking style, that has become the stereotype of a "geisha" to westerners, rather than the true geisha. Tokyo geisha generally do not follow the ritualized Kyoto maiko apprentice process. The training period can be six months to a year - notably shorter than a Kyoto maiko - before she debuts as a full geisha. The trainee is referred to as a "half-jewel", or by the more generic term o-shaku lit. "one who pours alcohol". On average, Tokyo geisha tend to be older than their Kyoto counterparts, many holding formal degrees from university.