*** Quoting Cindy Haglund from a message to Carol Shenkenberger ***

CH>  Reminds me of the book/movie "The Geisha Girl"....

CH>  What's the only real difference between the Geisha girl and the
CH> prostitute? Money.

 CS> Sorry but no.  The traditional geisha isnt even remotely a prostitute.


CH>  Hi Carol! Nice to see you back for a bit.

Well, i'm off again tomorrow so it's a short stay.  Still, I think I get
this ¨echo at sea.  Just havent been able to keep up there very well
lately.

CH>  The point was the similarity lies in exploitation, not necessarily
CH>  actual sex. Of course we must then ask: is it exploitation if the
CH>  woman willfully chooses either occupation?

It's not considered exploitation though, although the modern geisha might
be a ¨little different.  The modern ladies are excited by the tradition and
history ¨and it's hard to get in to the training because there are more
applicants than ¨there are openings.  It's a very intense schooling and
quite professional, even ¨today.

While it does 'sound' to a westerner like something odd, you'd have to keep
in ¨mind that sex doesnt equal 'bad' in this culture.  Girls are not
expected to be ¨virgins when they marry for example.  'Victorianism' never
hit this island.  ¨Nor did the christian church until recently relative to
their historical ¨timeline.

CH>  earning an income? Perhaps one is simply a 'cock tease' while the
CH>  other' goes all the way'?

Nope.  There is no expectation that the geisha will sleep with you at all. 
¨*If* she does, it's a 'honour' to be so accepted, but not a 'dishonour' if
she ¨doesnt as that's normal.

I asked a fellow working on the ship about this (his english is excellent
and ¨he's very friendly).  He said 'the worst problem is gaijin (us) think
they are ¨prostitutes so we don't usually allow westernerners near them if
we can help ¨it.  He then proudly related that one of this sisters children
had been ¨accepted to the primere training school (I think thats the one in
Kagoshima but ¨not sure).  She will become a gracious japanese lady. (his
words).

I thanked him for his time and wished sincerely that he and his family
would ¨have joy.  That was this morning.  I dunno what 'books' you have
been reading ¨but my information comes from meeting geishas and from living
here in Japan the ¨past 6 years.  Geisha's are very rare but when you see
one, you bow to them.  ¨You bow lower than they do as they have a higher
status.

It's ok that you have the wrong idea, it's common.  It's like many think
sushi ¨is raw fish (sushi may have raw fish or other raw seafood but rarely
as sushi ¨is almost always cooked fillings.  Exceptions are almost
exclusively roe based ¨ones). Sashimi is raw fish .

CH>  How does anyone know? I speak with a cynical point of
CH>  view given all I have read with regard to Human Nature.

CH>  Just because someone says so, doesn't make it so.

True and you may chose to believe as you desire.  I am sure you will find
many ¨web sites that validate your view and books as well.  I can only go
on personal ¨experience.  You'll note perhaps that the only other person in
thos echo who ¨also has personal experience of living in japan (though for
less time than I ¨have) also hopped right on this.

CH>  What looks nice on paper isn't always so nice, in practice.

Perhaps not, but the happy smiles and excited eyes of a real geisha, have
more ¨sway for me.  
                                       xxcarol

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