Japanese Geisha Spoons
The history of the Geisha in Japan is traced to the imperial court
in Kyota, Japan around 794 with an elite group of beauty obsessed
men and woman who also cultivated traditional arts .
Traditional Japan also adopted the Chinese Confucian system wherein men
were not obligated to be faithful to their wives sexually, but were
allowed to visit courtesans, while the traditional wife was a modest
mother and manager of the home and servants.
The pleasure centers often became very glamorous entertainment centers
and offered more than sex. The geishas entertained by playing music,
singing , dancing , poetry, story telling and other forms of artistry.
By the mid 18th century woman dominated the industry and there were
different classes of geishas depending on their artistic abilities and
experience. Geishas were often in control of the male/female
relationship and were often quite wealthy and considered to be very
cultured. Often sex was involved, but it was not considered to be
prostitution and the woman was often in control.
The geisha profession as traditionally practiced lapsed be the end of
the second World War, however there are still some geishas attempting
to maintain the old traditions.
left: 1 Geisha in kimono and with a fan holding an umbrella
(bowl) and a samisen base. Marked sterling and Japanese characters
2. very large Geisha in a kimono holding an umbrella. This spoon
measures about 7.75" and is the largest size of this variety of spoon.
marked sterling with an 'sun' symbol
3. Geisha in kimono with a fan on a samisen base . marked
sterling --no manufacture mark
1. geisha holding an umbrella with a volcano (Fujiyama?) and
ocean scene engraved in the bowl --only marked in Japanese characters.
I suspect it is sterling
2. geisha dressed in a kimono with an elaborately engraved bowl.
Marked 'Free China'. I suspect that it is sterling (see detail below)
3. geisha finial and engraving in the bowl. Unmarked and I suspect it
might be sterling
4. cloissane finial of a geisha and engraved 'Kyota' in the bowl .
marked 'nickel silver'. This spoon contains NO SILVER. the
marking is simply to fool the unwary buyer.
Detailed shot of the bowl. Notice the elaborate engraving style
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