A Study of System of Geisha in Chinese Ancient Literatures

Not late than the end of Xia Dynasty, geisha (yue-ji) had appeared in China.During three thousand years, the geisha had lasted continuously.According to their personal subordinate relationship, they can be classified into si-ji (proprietary trading geisha), jia-ji (domestics geisha), guan-ji (official geisha), gong-ji (court geisha), shijing-ji (registered geisha), and they could be divided into ge-ji (singing-girl) and wu-ji (dancing-girl) with their skills.Geisha's appearance was must factor of banquets in Tang and Song Dynasties, and they closely connected with literati's life and works.They were leading actress in a sum of literatures works, which were even to be written for them.Therefore, studying on related system is useful to understand situations and realities of geisha, relationships between geisha and literati, which could help to get to know literature works better.This article reviews the development and management histories in different dynasties, and gives some typical examples.