Photos: Japan’s geishas take their performances online amid pandemic

Japan has closed doors to major tourist influx, with the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic forcing the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and shutting down international travel. Even after exiting a state of emergency due to a spike in coronavirus cases, most forms of nightlife, including geisha parties, have taken a hit. The Meet Geisha project places some of these entertainers in front of clients once more, offering their traditional arts in the most modern of formats -- Zoom calls.

Updated on: Jun 17, 2020 3:14 PM IST

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“Chacha,” who asks to be identified by a pseudonym, performs for an online drinking party with clients in Hakone, Japan on June 13. Beneath spotlights, the 32-year-old geisha performs traditional dances, moving like a butterfly and artfully unfolding and fluttering her fan. (Philip Fong / AFP)

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Chacha (front) prepares for an online Geisha party with Tamaki Nishimura (back), project manager of ‘Meet Geisha’, an online service for geisha meets in Hakone on June 13. “Usually we are very busy in April, May and June,” Chacha told AFP. “But this year, we have no parties, zero.” The pandemic evaporated incomes for geishas like Chacha who now eagerly awaits the arrival of government stimulus funds. (Philip Fong / AFP)

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Chacha’s audience would usually be a group of older, wealthy men, watching inside a traditional parlour lined with woven tatami mats. But today, with nightlife a high-risk activity due to the coronavirus, her audience is looking back at her from a computer screen and ranges from young women to families with curious children. (Philip fong / AFP)

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Despite Western misconceptions, geishas are not prostitutes, but rather entertainers and raconteurs highly skilled in traditional Japanese dance, musical instruments and games. Almost everything in the repertoire of these performers however, is at odds with the social distancing rules of the coronavirus pandemic. (Philip Fong / AFP)

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‘Meet Geisha’ was initially conceived as a way to bring groups of tourists to see geishas perform on stage in a more relaxed and less intimidating environment. It was supposed to capitalise on an influx of tourists, including those coming for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. But with the pandemic shutting down international tourism, the firm looked at other options. (Philip Fong / AFP)

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Chacha admitted she was initially confused by the idea. But with ‘Meet Geisha’ project manager Tamaki Nishimura’s help to organise the technical side, she and some others are now able to offer their traditional arts in the most modern of formats -- Zoom calls. The online sessions offer income, but also a way to broaden the audience for the community. (Philip Fong / AFP)

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‘Meet Geisha’ approached the geisha community about an online option, Nishimura told AFP. “They are up for new challenges, not necessarily bound by traditional styles,” she said. “If it weren’t for the geishas in Hakone, I wouldn’t probably have gotten a yes for the online service,” Nishimura added. (Philip Fong / AFP)

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Chacha raises a toast to clients during a session via zoom call on June 13. Michiko Maeda, 65, one of Chacha’s online female guests, told AFP that the new format had encouraged her to experience the traditional entertainment. (Philip Fong / AFP)

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Chacha also acknowledged that the new technology “allows people overseas and those who cannot physically visit Hakone to meet me.” But she is hoping for a return to tradition when the rules allow. “Someday I want them to come here, see our performance live and interact with us for real. That is what I truly wish for.” (Philip Fong / AFP)