Get the Mizuha 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
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Person A: “Hey, have you seen the Mizumafu Council on Twitter?”
Person B: “No, who are they?”
Mizumafu Council Member: “ajike no nai-”
Person B: “No, who are they?”
Mizumafu Council Member: “ajike no nai-”
by Misozuki October 20, 2023
Get the Mizumafu Council mug.Mizuna, The Saiyan Menace. He (Slaughters) Worlds with ease, tormenting even his entire timeline.
This Menace is badass and merciless, one of the strongest people to ever enter the universe.
This Menace is badass and merciless, one of the strongest people to ever enter the universe.
by FD123 November 4, 2021
Get the Mizuna mug.Probably one of the most prettiest girls you will ever meet. They have great smiles and a unique personality that everyone gravitates to. At a young age, boys may not seem to notice her but girls do (the girls are jealous). They grow up to be very popular and wholesome. They also have this innocent look to them, but they definitely are not innocent.
by Shermb February 2, 2017
Get the mizha mug.A female of japanese origin with majestic hair and round face. Defined as the cutest creature on earth. Wears glasses but takes them off occasionally in order to impress the male audience. Shy to the extreme, this is the type of girl any guy would try for but never gets in high school due to her overly shy and sensitive nature as well as her wish to excell in her studies. When asked out by a male, she will never answer directly-instead she will run away and tell them to contact her later by indirect means such as msn or phone. This is her method of rejecting a guy as she is too shy to do it face to face. Her favourite rejection sentence: "Let's just stay friends" or "I don't see you as anything more than a friend".
by thunderbear999 May 13, 2010
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