Geisha's Day Off - Japanese women in kimono drinking tea, wall art

  This painting comes from my series titled “Tribute to Toshiye” which explores my love of the Japanese cultural traditions instilled in me by my grandmother growing up in Canada.  The word Geisha literally translates into person of the arts, with (Gei) meaning “art” and  (sha) meaning person. Geisha culture is one of the oldest professions in Japan said to have started some 400 years ago. In the old days women did not become Geisha out of choice, they were either born into it by another Geisha or girls were adopted from poor families. Geisha are not prostitutes. Geisha emerged out of the early 16th century to provide entertainment in the form of the arts in the pleasure districts for those who did not want to pay for sex. In the 1920s -30s there were estimated to be 80,000 Maiko and Geisha in business, today it is estimated that only 1000 remain in active service.  I used stencils to create interesting textures. -Free shipping within the US and Canada and please allow 14 business