Photographer Honey J Walker is the Edge of Humanity Magazine contributor of this photo essay. From the project ‘The Art Of Maiko’. To see Honey ’s body of work, click on any photograph.

My fascination with Geisha as we refer to the art form in the west, started after reading, Memoirs Of A Geisha, when I was only a teenager.

I have travelled to Japan several times over the subsequent years and my fascination continued, if anything it intensified.

Firstly, perhaps I should give a little history about the Maiko, Geiko and Geisha. Equally it is important to clear up some misconceptions we have in the west.

A Geiko is a professional artist, entertainer, who excels in the Japanese arts. The word Geiko is only used in Kyoto which is the center of this traditional art form and was originally the capital city of Japan. In English the word geisha is more commonly used because early interactions between the Japanese and foreigners mostly took place in Tokyo and other major port towns outside of Kyoto.

The art form started in the 1600’s within the pleasure districts of Tokyo but the Geisha were men, the first female Geiko did not appear until 1751. In 1872 after Emperor Meiji came to power, the regulations of the entertainment industry were dramatically revised. The Geiko associations and pleasure districts were clearly separated. The law clarified that Geiko did not participate or engage in any sexual activity.

In the west we have mistakenly believed that a Geiko/Maiko/Geisha were in fact high paid courtesans, beautifully made up, dressed in Kimono and had some artistic skills but whose main responsibilities were to entertain and satisfy the requirements of wealthy businessmen and nobles.

This does an enormous disservice to the profession.

The reality is that these highly trained female artists are just that, artists.

The first steps to becoming a Geiko is a five-year Maiko training program. The word Maiko means dancing child. In the past young girls used to be sold to lodging houses (okiya) at the age of seven but obviously that is illegal today. Generally, the age to start training today is between 15 and 16 years old. The program is very intense with several hours spent each day learning the art of tea making, learning to play the shamisen (Japanese musical instrument, similar to a lute), dance, calligraphy, entertaining games and interesting, informed conversation.

Traditionally the Geiko and Maiko lived in houses run by a retired Geiko and that is still the case today. The young Maiko leave their families behind to live in a house of women, fellow Maikos and Geikos. They live as a community but with a strong hierarchy.

They leave their families and previous community behind to embark on a life of dedication to their art. In many ways their lives are similar to those of a nun within a religious order. The life is about dedication to honing your skills as a performing artist who also must remain celibate. Romantic relationships are forbidden.

My fascination with these women was really based around a complete ignorance of the dedication and artistic ability of the Geiko/maiko and more about the understanding of these women as a westerner, or what I thought I understood.

Fundamentally I could not understand why in the 21st century any woman would choose a celibate, regimented life over personal freedoms? Equally historically the predominant clients for Geiko/Maiko are wealthy men. Why would any woman, with today’s independence choose to follow this path?

The number of women making this career choice has reduced dramatically but there are still about 300 working in Kyoto’s five hanamachi (Geiko districts) today.

What I discovered over several trips to Japan and especially to Kyoto was a strong, independent body of female artists. Who are highly intelligent, intellectual and dedicated to their art form. They knowingly give up more personal relationships to dedicate themselves to honing their craft and with that discipline comes enormous empowerment.

In a way they become a modern-day goddess.

The ultimate, untouchable woman.

They look beautiful, demur, shy.

They dance with a lightness of foot.

Their bodies hidden with swathes of embroidered silk kimono.

They use fans to gently flirt, songs to sooth, music to stir the senses.

Ultimately though they are unattainable.

These incredible artists perform, amuse, engage but their true identity is hidden behind an enigmatic smile and a thick layer of white makeup.

My challenge is the series of images I created was to give justice to their beauty, strength and history but in a way that felt respectful and contemporary.

I rarely work on a series of images or body of work that has such a strong intention from the outset, I normally allow my images to evolve and develop their own identity without too many constraints. Whilst I still allowed myself the freedom to explore different techniques to create the images, fundamentally the overarching principle was to show these female artists as multi layered, strong women.

All the images are made using in camera multiple exposures, ICM and Procreate.

Honey J Walker is an international award-winning artist and photographer.

She originally studied art and design at the London College of Fashion, before embarking on a successful career as a fashion buyer and subsequently as an interior designer. Both careers enabled her to travel widely and informed her love of color, texture and human stories. 

In addition to her work as an artist, she is the Ambassador to the Marylebone Project Charity, for homeless women and victims of abuse, in London.

“My involvement with the charity has informed my work, particularly in the realm of human stories and their complexities”. 

“Within my photographs there exists a converging of two scales; the physical world. Things in themselves as they are and the interior world, lying hidden in all things."

"As I work the subject reveals themselves as I build the layers of complexity, while at the same time delving beyond the surface. "

Honey has exhibited globally with solo exhibitions in both London and New York.

Her work is held in international and private collections. 

A recent series Are You Next To An Angel? created on behalf of the Marylebone Project charity, raised over £100,000 for the charity.