History of Escorts Geishas and Tayu
True: Demand in the twenty-first century for the civilising services of high-class escorts has never been greater.
False: The role of the classy escort is a phenomenon of the modern world.
Wrong; upmarket escorts have been around since time immemorial.
Take, for instance the Greek courtesan or hetaera who plied her trade in ancient Hellenistic Greece. The hetaera was educated, intellectual and courteous and could always hold her own in high society; she was also beautiful and well groomed.
Another obvious example is that of the Tayu (a high class Japanese courtesan) who flourished in Japan, during the Edo Period (1600-1868). These beautiful Courtesans were well-educated and versed in the arts of dance, music and poetry and trained in social etiquette; their duty to act as companions at prestigious social gatherings.
The role of the early Japanese courtesan was usurped by the rise of the geisha (translates roughly as 'artist'), in the latter part of the eighteenth century. Geishas underwent intensive training in the various performing arts and social skills before they were allowed to entertain their discerning guests in the Japanese tea houses called O-chaya.
The Role of the Escort throughout History
A quick glance back through history reveals some interesting parallels between the role of the escort in times ancient and modern. For instance, the clear distinction between the role of the prostitute and that of the more highly valued escort has always been clear. This differentiation stills holds true today, although arguably boundaries have become somewhat blurred in certain regions of the modern world.
But, the point is that the role of the escort, throughout history, has focussed primarily on providing quality companionship, conversation and entertainment, both male and female.
Granted the packaging was different, in former times, but the principles remain pretty much the same, today. Brains and beauty, sophistication and companionship, social nous and the ability to entertain and to hold a decent conversation have always been the order of the day, where escorts are concerned; the provision of sex or 'full' female or male services, a secondary issue.
Did you know that ...
... the original geishas were male and called 'taikomochi' or 'hokan', a type of court jester? The first women geishas were referred to as 'onna geishas' (women artists); in more recent times, the prefix 'onna' has been dropped and, today, all geishas are female.
False: The role of the classy escort is a phenomenon of the modern world.
Wrong; upmarket escorts have been around since time immemorial.
Take, for instance the Greek courtesan or hetaera who plied her trade in ancient Hellenistic Greece. The hetaera was educated, intellectual and courteous and could always hold her own in high society; she was also beautiful and well groomed.
Another obvious example is that of the Tayu (a high class Japanese courtesan) who flourished in Japan, during the Edo Period (1600-1868). These beautiful Courtesans were well-educated and versed in the arts of dance, music and poetry and trained in social etiquette; their duty to act as companions at prestigious social gatherings.
The role of the early Japanese courtesan was usurped by the rise of the geisha (translates roughly as 'artist'), in the latter part of the eighteenth century. Geishas underwent intensive training in the various performing arts and social skills before they were allowed to entertain their discerning guests in the Japanese tea houses called O-chaya.
The Role of the Escort throughout History
A quick glance back through history reveals some interesting parallels between the role of the escort in times ancient and modern. For instance, the clear distinction between the role of the prostitute and that of the more highly valued escort has always been clear. This differentiation stills holds true today, although arguably boundaries have become somewhat blurred in certain regions of the modern world.
But, the point is that the role of the escort, throughout history, has focussed primarily on providing quality companionship, conversation and entertainment, both male and female.
Granted the packaging was different, in former times, but the principles remain pretty much the same, today. Brains and beauty, sophistication and companionship, social nous and the ability to entertain and to hold a decent conversation have always been the order of the day, where escorts are concerned; the provision of sex or 'full' female or male services, a secondary issue.
Did you know that ...
... the original geishas were male and called 'taikomochi' or 'hokan', a type of court jester? The first women geishas were referred to as 'onna geishas' (women artists); in more recent times, the prefix 'onna' has been dropped and, today, all geishas are female.
