In Japanese geisha culture, why do you paint your face and neck white?

Geisha culture is a unique traditional culture in Japan. Geisha's makeup and manners are often sought after, which can reflect the Japanese understanding and pursuit of aesthetics. The geisha industry itself has extremely strict professional regulations, and geisha are trained by various means, so that they can always maintain an elegant and charming posture while their talents are outstanding. Whitening the face and neck is one of the means.

First of all, painting the face and neck white can enhance the contrast of makeup, highlight the red cherry mouth, and any big lips look ferocious, which can force geisha to keep a decent smile all the time. Secondly, because the ancient candlelight was dim, it was necessary to paint it very white at night so as not to appear sallow, and the snow-white face reflected the candlelight, which made it unique.

Thirdly, because the thick white powder is coated on the face, it can cover up facial defects to a great extent, and at the same time, it can cover up subtle facial expressions, so as not to show embarrassing expressions in front of guests, and always maintain a decent image of advancing and retreating.

Finally, this is also one of the manifestations of Japanese men's possessiveness. Mr Kawabata Yasunari once mentioned in Snow Country that the Japanese people's ultimate pursuit of cleanliness and beauty, and they love everything spotless. This can be seen from the fact that geisha paint their faces and necks white. Geisha must keep a clean body in her career. A wide-open kimono reveals a large white neck at the back, which can stir the hearts of Japanese men best.

In fact, the unique aesthetics of any era will not appear out of thin air, and it must be based on a certain cultural soil. The makeup of Japanese geisha is the product of a specific era. To understand the reason why geisha paint their faces and necks white is to understand some norms of geisha industry and understand Japanese history, culture and aesthetic psychology through this phenomenon.