Japan was once described as being the “country of Fujiyama and geisha.” Mt. Fuji was registered as a world cultural heritage site in 2013 and even today is an icon of Japan, while geisha are only seen at high class ryoutei (Japanese style restaurants) and in onsen resorts. However, since the book “Memories of a Geisha,” written by Arthur GOLDEN and published in 1997, became a bestseller, geisha have once again become known throughout the world for being mysterious creatures. Since geisha entertain customers, people generally imagine them to be hostesses in kimono. In actual fact, these are women who have mastered the arts of shamisen (Japanese guitar), song and dance. In Kyoto, geisha are called “geigi.” “Maiko” are famous in Kyoto, but maiko refers to young women who are in training to become geisha (geigi). Geisha are often confused with “yuujo,” though these are actually women who sell their bodies. In the Edo period, the Yoshiwara red-light district was located near Asakusa, a famous sightseeing spot. Here were intelligent, high class yuujo called “oiran,” who were not only beautiful but were also skilled in Japanese poetry and calligraphy. These courtesans were like stars, and in order to gain their favor, men would often visit them and host parties for them. It seems that the image non-Japanese have of geisha was formed by mixing these up. There are many interesting stories involving geisha, including one about the geisha “TOUJIN Okichi,” who fell in love with Townsend HARRIS, America’s first council to Japan. Umeko, the wife of ITO Hirobumi, Japan’s first prime minister, was a geisha. Umeko could not write, but after becoming first lady, she became highly educated, learning calligraphy, Japanese poetry and English from leading teachers. In addition, she became the belle and leader of “Rokumeikan” – a place where high society, including diplomats from many nations, met. One day she returned home to discover that Ito had brought his mistress home. Umeko said the following to his bewildered mistress, before sending her home with a gift: “My husband is busy with his work, but you are best at soothing him, so please console him from time to time.” Ikumatasu, who became the wife of KATSURA Kogoro – one of the heroes of the Meiji Restoration – was also a geisha. When his enemies discovered his whereabouts and launched an assault, Ikumatsu gracefully danced in front of the assassins to give him time to escape out the back door. Umeko and Ikumatsu understood men’s hearts because they were geisha. It might be that this made them quick witted and magnanimous, allowing them to capture the hearts of important figures. Okura, a legendary geisha who started out as a yuujo, opened the ryoutei “Fukiro” in Yokohama. Since she was not only beautiful, but provided her customerss with the best service, the ryoutei became so successful that many leading politicians began to make use of it. In the ryoutei politicians found that they could smoothly resolve difficult problems while drinking, with the added bonus of having a pretty woman at their side. Though geisha had access to valuable information through these customers, they were taught never to divulge anything, no matter what the circumstances. Many geisha came from poor families, but “danna” (patrons) supported attractive geisha by paying for their living expenses. Like Umeko or Ikumatasu, quite a few geisha loved by a danna became Cinderellas.