[Kanji_The_Wanderer]

Geishas were NOT prostitutes. Geisha means Artist, and someone who holds such a title would never participate in such acts. The book Memoirs of A Geisha by Arthur Golden shows very well what Geishas were like, and what they did.

It was against their beliefs. Geisha who sold their bodies only did so to gain more fame, but it was a pathetic method, and those who did were looked down upon.

Mostly they would be seem moving in pairs and going to tea houses and so on.

They would play music, dance, and keep the men company, by talking with them, pouring them drinks etc.

Calling them prostitutes is a bit extreme. Most of them never stooped to such levels.

(I can say all this proudly, because Mr. Golden wrote his book by interviewing actual Geishas in Japan.)

EDIT: I didn't know there were different kinds of Geisha, the book didn't reveal such information, but back when Geishas started, they were an example of what I explained above. Any other kinds were imitations.