Mizan Pronounced Miz-an...The act of reaching a point of coolness that is beyond measure. Stardom among friends that is legendary.
by BillySeitz April 17, 2009
Get the [Mizan] mug.Most people believe that the mizuage is a coming-of-age ceremony for a Maiko (an apprentice Geisha). The Maiko would find many interested and wealthy buyers to bid on her virginity so the Maiko could fully become a Geisha. However, this is a common misconception of the ceremony. The pleasure district of Japan used this as means to increase their monetary accounts, soiling the name of a Geisha to a High-class Prostitute/Courtesan.
Mineko Iwasaki revealed her life as a Geisha in her book, Geisha, A Life. As intereviewed by thephoenix.com, Iwasaki separates the myth and fact of the mizuage.
Q: Talk to me about the mizuage ceremony. What is it, and why is there so much confusion about it?
A: This again goes back to the separation between the pleasure quarter and the entertainment quarter. Mizuage is really a coming-of-age ceremony, and apparently there was some selling of the virginity that went on in association with that ritual ceremony in the pleasure district a long time ago. However, that has never been true for the geisha. For the geisha, it was simply when they were becoming a young woman, similar to a sweet 16 in the West, and it was symbolized by the change in hairstyle, into a more womanly, grown-up hairstyle. And also certain subtle changes in the ensembles. There are a lot of rites of passage, but for some reason this one has been really latched on by people, and maybe it’s because of this misunderstanding.
Also, it is true that as with many of the rituals and rites of passage, once one has become a maiko geisha-in-training, or a geiko, it’s very expensive, because every time you go through an entire change of kimono, for example, or of hairstyle and you need different hair ornaments, these are expensive things. For me, I was the successor to the house, the atotori, so there was no question that the money was there to provide this. But if someone is coming from the outside and training, as basically someone who is there under contract, it is expensive, and sometimes they do ask their patrons to help pay for the cost involved in making the transition.
Mineko Iwasaki revealed her life as a Geisha in her book, Geisha, A Life. As intereviewed by thephoenix.com, Iwasaki separates the myth and fact of the mizuage.
Q: Talk to me about the mizuage ceremony. What is it, and why is there so much confusion about it?
A: This again goes back to the separation between the pleasure quarter and the entertainment quarter. Mizuage is really a coming-of-age ceremony, and apparently there was some selling of the virginity that went on in association with that ritual ceremony in the pleasure district a long time ago. However, that has never been true for the geisha. For the geisha, it was simply when they were becoming a young woman, similar to a sweet 16 in the West, and it was symbolized by the change in hairstyle, into a more womanly, grown-up hairstyle. And also certain subtle changes in the ensembles. There are a lot of rites of passage, but for some reason this one has been really latched on by people, and maybe it’s because of this misunderstanding.
Also, it is true that as with many of the rituals and rites of passage, once one has become a maiko geisha-in-training, or a geiko, it’s very expensive, because every time you go through an entire change of kimono, for example, or of hairstyle and you need different hair ornaments, these are expensive things. For me, I was the successor to the house, the atotori, so there was no question that the money was there to provide this. But if someone is coming from the outside and training, as basically someone who is there under contract, it is expensive, and sometimes they do ask their patrons to help pay for the cost involved in making the transition.
Q: But their virginity isn’t offered in exchange for that help?
A: That is never on the table. There is one other potential source of confusion, and that is with the word "mizuage" itself. In the Gion, the geisha district, and in many areas of the entertainment industry, "mizuage" is also a term that directly means "gross earnings," because it’s an old fishing term; as you may know, Japan was dependent on fishing for one of its main economic bases for many years. "Mizuage" means "to take out of the water." It stood for the catch. "What was your catch?" — "How much money did you make from the water?" So when I refer to mizuage, I’m actually referring to my earnings, rather than the ceremony itself.
A: That is never on the table. There is one other potential source of confusion, and that is with the word "mizuage" itself. In the Gion, the geisha district, and in many areas of the entertainment industry, "mizuage" is also a term that directly means "gross earnings," because it’s an old fishing term; as you may know, Japan was dependent on fishing for one of its main economic bases for many years. "Mizuage" means "to take out of the water." It stood for the catch. "What was your catch?" — "How much money did you make from the water?" So when I refer to mizuage, I’m actually referring to my earnings, rather than the ceremony itself.
by Arlitto May 17, 2006
Get the mizuage mug.She is undescribable. She'll always left goosebumps to every people in her life. Maybe reading people is one of her best talent yet she couldn't read my love. She's probably lacking of electron for being a very positive person
Miza is my angle
by Russellcc February 10, 2018
Get the Miza mug.by psizzleislit June 18, 2017
Get the mirjalili mug.A fair lady that resembles rapunzel with her long locks. She's a dreamer and possesses great power and beauty. There's no other lady like her. She can cook, clean, talk and drink coffee at the same time. She uses the word 'awesome' about 500 times daily, but adds her own authentic touch to it. She confuses supermarket workers when she asks for Salmon, forgetting the 'L' is silent, but no one would have her any other way. She is one in a million and the best lady you will ever meet.
Why haven't I met a superwoman like Milja?
Why aren't there any beautiful Milja's around?
I gotta get me some Milja.
Why aren't there any beautiful Milja's around?
I gotta get me some Milja.
by Jennypipclamp July 8, 2012
Get the Milja mug.Beautiful, loving, sweet girl....sexy and crazy silly at the same time!!! Hot, hot, hot~~
Kiss from me!
Kiss from me!
sexy Miljana
by Verus February 4, 2010
Get the Miljana mug.This name means "Sharp talent" Most likely an introvert.
Minjae is a smart guy who can do anything he puts his mind to. He often doubts his talents and amazing qualities, but that's just because he's so humble.
He's mysterious and guarded, but when he's comfortable, there's no better company than him! Prepare for deep conversations and your heartbeat going through the roof after getting a bear hug from this sweet-as-honey dude!
You might think at first "Wow what a sweet guy" but eventually find yourself thinking "Wow what husband material..."
If you have a Minjae in your life, never let him go. He's pretty rare and precious.
Minjae is a smart guy who can do anything he puts his mind to. He often doubts his talents and amazing qualities, but that's just because he's so humble.
He's mysterious and guarded, but when he's comfortable, there's no better company than him! Prepare for deep conversations and your heartbeat going through the roof after getting a bear hug from this sweet-as-honey dude!
You might think at first "Wow what a sweet guy" but eventually find yourself thinking "Wow what husband material..."
If you have a Minjae in your life, never let him go. He's pretty rare and precious.
Pam: "Hey, I heard you had a really tough day yesterday. Did you talk to Minjae about it?"
Nikki: "Yeah, he came over to my place and took me for a drive, and we talked for hours. He bought me chocolate, took me home, and watched a movie with me. And he slept on the sofa at my place, after tucking me into bed, just in case I needed him. I think he's an angel."
Nikki: "Yeah, he came over to my place and took me for a drive, and we talked for hours. He bought me chocolate, took me home, and watched a movie with me. And he slept on the sofa at my place, after tucking me into bed, just in case I needed him. I think he's an angel."
by Amaralove2 December 1, 2020
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