Geisha

Literally, "person of the arts". Geisha, while technically of the eta class, are generally considered to be exempt from most of the traditional constraits that keep the eta from mingling with samurai, although they are expected to remember their position and act accordingly.

While often mistakenly thought to be prostitutes, geisha are more often merely professional entertainers whose role is there to ensure that their patron samurai is able to relax in their presence and, thus, be themselves for once without caring about their on (the face they must put on in court and before their superiors). This is usually done through reciting of poetry, music and dancing, excellent conversational skills and other such arts. It is considered a sign of weakness, however, to overindulge in such recreational activities.

It is uncommon- though certainly not unheard of- for the geisha to bed their patron lords; it is implictly understood and accepted by both parties of any arranged marriage that their spouse would seek the pleasures of the flesh elsewhere, especially if there was no true love involved in the marriage. All the same, though, many a distinguished warrior or courtier has been driven to ruination after his or her not quite so discreet affairs with the geisha has been publically exposed.

Most geisha are female, but male geisha are not unknown: several samurai-ko actively seek out their services, especially those of the Matsu and other matriachial families.