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Gējì

A Gējì or Geji (Chinese: 歌妓、歌伎) is a female professional performer of song and dance in ancient China.

Like other entertainers in ancient China, Gejis had a low social status, but Gejis generally did not engage in prostitution. Their profession was that of entertainers and was not equivalent to sex workers. In ancient Chinese, the word "Ji (妓)" can refer to both female art performers and female sex workers. The word "Ji (妓)" in Geji (歌妓) refers to female performers, not sex workers. The word "Ji (妓)" in Chinese only refers to women. In Chinese, the word "Ji (伎)" refers to both male and female performers, but "Geji (歌伎)" only refers to women. In addition, "Ji (伎)" does not only refer to performers. The word "Ji (伎)" is also used as the word "Ji (技)", which refers to skills, talents, techniques, etc. It can also be used to refer to people in other fields. For example, "Fang Ji (方伎 or 方技)" refers to the old general term for practices such as medicine, divination, astrology, and fortune-telling. Geji is also called a “Geji (歌姬, Pinyin: Gējī)”, a singing girl (歌女), or a “Geji (歌伎)”. In modern Chinese, the word "Ji (妓)" is often associated with sex trade, and the word "Geji (歌伎)" is also commonly used to avoid taboos.

Gejis made certain contributions to ancient Chinese music, dance, poetry, painting and other arts and literature. Some Tang poetry and Song dynasty lyric poetry was also sung by Gejis. The Gejis sang the poems in the form of songs, which also played a role in the dissemination of ancient Chinese poems and lyrics.

Etymology

In ancient China, women who were engaged in sing and dance were called Geji. They were also called “Music Ji (乐妓)”, “Vocal Ji (声妓)”, “Song and dance Ji (歌舞妓)”, and “Ge'er (歌儿)”. The "Ou (讴)" in "OuZhe (讴者)" means sing, and "OuZhe (讴者)" means "the person who sings". Among ancient Chinese sing and dance performers, women who are good at dance are called Wuji (舞妓), also known as “Wuji (舞姬)” or “Wuji (舞伎)”, dancing girls (舞女), means women who have been specially trained to perform sing and dance. Female musicians (女乐) refer to the female singers and dancers who served the ruling class in ancient China, and are also known as “Song and dance Ji (歌舞妓)”. In ancient China, famous Gejis and prostitutes were called "MingJi (名妓)", "MingJi" can be understood as famous courtesans and prostitutes. "MingJi" in Geji refers to famous Geji (歌妓) and Wuji (舞妓), not famous Chang Ji (娼妓).“Jī(姬)” was an aristocratic surname in early ancient China and could be used to describe aristocratic women and princesses. Later, this word was used to express the honorific title for women. "Gējī(歌姬)" and "Wǔjī(舞姬)" are more respectful terms for female performers of song and dance.

Music Ji (乐妓) refers specifically to female music performers, while Music Ji (乐伎) can refer to both male and female music performers. Jiyue (伎乐) is the music produced by playing musical instruments, which includes both musical instruments and performers.

During the Han, Wei, and Six Dynasties, Chinese musicians developed on the basis of inheriting the ancient music and dance of the pre-Qin dynasty. People who engaged in various kinds of sing and dance were called “Ji'ren (伎人)”, “Yue'ren (乐人)”, “Wu'ren (舞人)”, “Geji”, “Wu'chang (舞倡)” etc. Some people are also called “Sanyue people (散乐人)”.

The profession of a Geji is to perform song and dance, not to engage in sex work. Although sex workers (known as “Chang Ji (娼妓)”) could also perform song and dance, that was not their main profession. For example, the prostitutes in Pingkangfang (平康坊) red light district in the Tang dynasty and the Changsan (长三) prostitutes in the late Qing dynasty and Republic of China were high-class prostitutes.

Geji is not Guanren (倌人), Guanren refers to the name for prostitutes in the Wu language area in the old days. Geji does not refer to Qing guanren (清倌人), Qing guanren started prostitution after menstruation and became a prostitute. Gejis are not Shoumas (瘦马). Shoumas are young women who were specially trained to be concubines of wealthy businessmen during the Ming and Qing dynasties in China. They did not take acting as a profession. Some of the remaining Shoumas had to be sold as prostitutes, such as "YangBang (扬帮)" prostitutes are mostly from Shouma backgrounds. Gejis are women who engaged in song and dance performances in ancient China, while Shouma (瘦马) are women who are specially trained to be sold as concubines. The concepts of the two are different.

The literal meaning of "Sing-song girls" in English may seem to mean a singing girl or a literal translation of a singing girl (歌女), but in reality, it is not. According to Zhang Ailing, "Sing song girl" is a term derived from the Wu language, which also refers to high-end prostitutes as "sir". "Sir" can be a polite term for anyone, regardless of gender. In Wu's language, 'sir' is pronounced as 'Xisang', but the English and American people in Shanghai mistakenly thought it was' sing song', and prostitutes are required to sing at banquets, 'sing song girl' is named after it, not the translated name of a singing girl. The profession of singing girls has existed since ancient times,they made a living by singing. In ancient times, they were called "Geji" and other names. However, the Chinese translate name "singing girl" did not appear until the late 1920s, that is, fourteen years after the Republic of China.

The modern term "Yiji (艺妓)" is not used in ancient Chinese sources. The word "Yiji" in Chinese may have first appeared in "Qing Bai Lei Chao (清稗类钞)" by Xu Ke (徐珂), a late Qing dynasty writer, and it refers to a prostitute with some talent. Xu Ke called the high-level prostitute "Mabanzi (马班子)" is Yiji, who were high-class prostitutes engaged in prostitution. Wang Xiyan (王西彦), a writer in the Republic of China, also used the word Yiji in his novel “The Ancient House (古屋)” to describe hetaira of ancient Greece. In modern Chinese, the word Yiji refers to a woman who makes a living by singing and dancing. The corresponding use of the word Yiji (藝妓) may be seen in the alias of Yidan (藝旦) during the Japanese occupation period in Taiwan. In "Rage in Coal City (煤城怒火)", writer Xiang Chun (向春) called Japanese geishas "Yiji". In modern Chinese, the word Yiji no longer refers to prostitutes with some talent, but to women who make a living by singing and dancing. Generally, Japanese geisha (芸妓) is called Yiji (艺妓). In addition, women who make a living by singing and dancing in ancient societies of other countries are also called Yiji in Chinese. For example, Korea kisaeng, India Gaṇikā and tawaif, Arab qiyan.

History development

Before the Han dynasty

Song and dance in ancient China have a long history, and in primitive religious worship, songs and dances are also used in religious ceremonies. Women who performed songs and dances in religious ceremonies may have been the predecessors of future generations of Geji (歌妓) and Wuji (舞妓). Nuo dance (傩舞) is the oldest existing primitive dance in China. Nuo dance has a long history. There are records of Nuo sacrifices in the oracle bone inscriptions of the Yin (殷) Ruins, and there are also explicit records of Nuo dance in "The Rites of Zhou (周礼)". Its origins are related to primitive hunting, totem worship, etc., and gradually evolved into a seasonal ritual with fixed purpose and content. It was followed from the Qin and Han dynasties to the Tang and Song dynasties and continued to develop. By the Ming and Qing dynasties, although the ancient meaning of Nuo dance still existed, it had developed into an entertainment custom and developed into opera.

During the Xia, there were already Geji and Wuji (舞妓), Jie (桀) raised female musicians (女乐), also known as female singers and dancers. Jie (桀) was a monarch in the late Xia dynasty who had thirty thousand female musicians in his court. These female musicians started practicing early in the morning, sounds can be heard outside the palace. During the Shang dynasty (商朝), music and dance performances focused on entertainment began to be performed in the court of the monarch King Zhou (纣王). King Zhou had entertainers perform entertaining songs and dances in the court to entertain himself. During the Spring and Autumn Period, Duke Mu of Qin (秦穆公) wanted to get Youyu (由余), the counselor of King Rong (戎王). He listened to the advice of Wang Liao (王寥), the internal historian, and sent sixteen Gejis and dancing girls to King Rong. The king of Rong held a banquet and had fun with the female musicians. Youyu persuaded the Rong King, but the Rong King did not listen to the advice. Youyu defected to the Qin State, assisted Qin Mu Gong, annexed twelve countries, and expanded the land thousands of miles away. Han Fei commented: "Indulging in female music and disregarding national politics can lead to the disaster of national subjugation".

During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period in China, music and dance were further removed from the scope of religious sacrifices. In the second year after King Yan Zhao (燕昭王) came to the throne, Guangyan State (广延国) presented two female dancers, one named Xuanjuan (旋娟) and the other named Timo (提谟). The two of them performed three dances: "Yangchen (萦尘)", "Jiyu (集羽)", and "Xuanhuai (旋怀)", and they have extremely high dance attainments. At the end of the Warring States Period, Mochou (莫愁), a woman from the Chu State (楚国), entered the palace as a Geji and brought folk songs and dances into the palace. King Qingxiang of Chu (楚顷襄王) extensively collected folk songs and sang them to music, and also sent special personnel to compose music and train musicians. In addition to performing songs and dances, Mochou (莫愁) also incorporated ancient tunes, Chu Ci (楚辞), Qu Yuan's Li Sao (屈原的离骚), and Songyu's Fengfu (宋玉的风赋) into the songs for singing. Mochou (莫愁) sang "Yangchun Baixue (阳春白雪)", as well as "Xiali Baren (下里巴人)", "A Yang (阿阳)", "Xie Lu (薤露)", "Plucking Wei Song (采薇歌)" and "Maixiu Song (麦秀歌)", etc. Mochou (莫愁) had a certain influence on the singing of "The Songs of Chu (楚辞)" combined with songs, and also had a profound influence on the singing of music and Fu combined with songs in later generations. After Qin Shi Huang unified the six kingdoms, he brought many Geji from the past six kingdoms into the Qin court. These Geji from the Six Kingdoms performed music in the Qin court, and also became part of Qin Shihuang's harem.

Han dynasty

Liu Bang, the founder and first emperor of the Han dynasty, was a supporter of popular entertainment including folk songs and dances. He was the first to introduce Chu (楚国) music and dance, which originated from ethnic shamanism, into the palace as forms of court music and dance. Therefore, the court music and dance of the Han dynasty were secular feasts with a hedonistic mood, and the Wujis (舞妓) who were good at singing and dancing became the objects of appreciation. During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han dynasty, the Yuefu (乐府) was established, and the government paid closer attention to music. Some of them managed ritual music and military music, while others managed secular music, that is, they went to the folk to learn and collect music, and wrote lyrics and tunes based on the collection results. Yuefu also arranges musical instruments for singing and playing. During the Han dynasty, there were many Geji in the imperial palaces and aristocratic mansions, used for performances at banquets, entertaining monarchs, nobles, ministers, etc. In the cities of the Han dynasty, there were singing and dancing places where Gejis used to perform. The upper classes such as nobles, officials and the merchant class enjoyed music and entertainment in such houses. In the Han dynasty, there were families of performers who were engaged in music and dance as a profession, that is Changjia (倡家). Some families were composed of parents and children, with brothers and sisters all taking music and dance as a profession. Some Changjias (倡家) of the Han dynasty also performed in singing and dancing venues. In the Han dynasty, an important part of the emperor's daily entertainment was banquets. In folk banquets, banquets are a bond of interpersonal communication and a symbol of etiquette. The most common entertainment during the banquet is singing and dancing, but there are also acrobatics and rap performances. In addition to professional actors performing songs and dances at the banquet, the host and guests of the banquet also need to sing and dance impromptu. Typically the host dances first and the guests dance in return.

Wei, Jin, Northern and Southern dynasties

During the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern dynasties (魏晋南北朝), the practice of cultivating Gejis was prevalent. During this period, Gejis played the most obvious role as nobles in displaying their wealth. Nobles competed for singing girls from time to time. Stories about Gejis are recorded in "Shishuoxinyu (世说新语)". Zhao Yun (朝云), a Geji in the Northern Wei dynasty (北魏), was good at playing the Chi (篪chí, a flute-like instrument), and could perform "Tuan Shan Song (团扇歌)" and "Long Shang Shen (陇上声)". Volume 4 (卷四) of Yang Xuanzhi (杨衒之)'s "Luoyang Jialan Ji (洛阳伽蓝记)" in the Northern dynasties records that the Geji Zhaoyun's music can move the rebellious Qiang (羌) in Longshang (陇上) to "come back and surrender", and the music she plays is more powerful than the "quick horse runners". During the Three Kingdoms period (三国时期), Caocao (曹操) also raised Gejis. The sing and dance Jis (歌舞妓) in Caocao's family were called Tongque Jis (铜雀妓). Caocao had a singing girl who sang well but had a bad temper. Although Caocao was angry, he was afraid that if he killed her, he would not be able to hear such sweet singing. Later, Caocao trained a hundred Gejis until one of them sang as well as the bad-tempered Geji, so he killed her. There were also many Gejis in the palace. The popular palace poetry in the Southern dynasties was for the Gejis in the palace to sing to entertain the monarchs and nobles. During the Northern Wei dynasty, Luoyang (洛阳), as the capital at that time, had a gathering area for music and dance artists. It is said in "Jiyang Jialan Ji (济阳伽蓝记)" that Luoyang, the capital city, is divided into tune and rhythm, and there are many singing and dancing artists. As the political center and people of the Han nationality (汉族) migrated southward, female music and dance from the north were also brought to the south of the Yangtze River, so the songs and dances in the south of the Yangtze River were also very popular. The most famous one is the "Qianxi Dance (前溪舞)" spread in Qianxi Village (前溪村), an area where artists gather. Qianxi Village in Huzhou, according to historical records, was once a gathering place for music and dance artists in the Southern dynasties. During the Tang dynasty, there were many places to learn music and dance performances here. Jiangnan's music and dance performances were once famous, and most of the music and dance artists came from Qianxi Village.

Sui and Tang dynasties

During the Sui and Tang dynasties, the trend of using Geji or Yiji was also very popular, and aristocrats, literati, and Geji paid for singing and socialized widely. Some literati even referred to Geji as confidants, and there were many descriptions of Geji in literary works at that time. Some female protagonists in the legendary stories of the Tang dynasty are also Geji. For example, the Hongfu girl (红拂女) in "Biography of Qiu bearded Guests (虬髯客传)" was originally a Geji in Yang Su's mansion, the Liushi (柳氏) in "Biography of Liushi (柳氏传) " was also a Geji, and the Huo Xiaoyu（霍小玉） in "Biography of Huo Xiaoyu (霍小玉传) " was expelled from Huo Wang's mansion and became a Geji. There are also many works about Geji in the poetry, such as Bai Juyi's "Pipa Xing (琵琶行) " which depicts a Geji married to a merchant. And Bai Juyi also raised Geji himself, among which Fan Su (樊素) had the best singing skills. Bai Juyi wrote a poem: "Cherry Fan Su Mouth" praising Fan Su's singing skills. Li Shangyin wrote a poem titled "Two Songs to a Geji (赠歌妓二首) ". The female poet Du Qiuniang (杜秋娘) was also a Geji. Xue Tao (薛涛) , a Geji from the Tang dynasty, was the leading female poet of the Middle Tang dynasty, earning the titles of "literary demon (文妖)" and "Tang peacock (大唐孔雀)". Xue Tao became a Gejj at the age of 16 due to his father's illness and his mother's widowhood, making his life difficult and helpless. She is highly regarded by renowned governors Wei Gao, Wu Yuanheng, and others for her ability to discern and compose poetry. She competes with Yuan Zhen, Bai Juyi, Du Mu, Liu Yuxi, and others to sing, greatly enhancing her poetic reputation. Li Zhao from the Middle Tang dynasty commented on Xue Tao: "Those who enjoy women and work poetry, Tao is also the demon of literature. Xue Tao also frequently went to the shogunate as a Geji and a Qing guest to give poetry and drink. Wei Gao once proposed to request the court to grant Xue Tao the title of Secretary of the Provincial School Scholar, which was unconventional and could not be achieved. However, people often referred to it as the "Women's School Scholar (女校书)". The Huajian School of Poetry (花间派诗词), represented by Wen Tingyun in the late Tang dynasty, is closely related to Geji. From the perspective of content and form, the Huajian School of Poetry mainly focuses on romance, tenderness, and simplicity, and is inseparable from the nature of "relying on sound to fill in lyrics" and Xiehe lyrics. It mainly describes the shallow consideration of deep boudoir embroidery rooms and gelou brothels. These words are usually sung by Geji at banquets, so they have been widely circulated, and Geji have played a crucial role. There were also many Geji in the palace, and Emperor Xuanzong of Tang was fond of music. In the second year of the Kaiyuan era (724 AD), he established the Left and Right Cults (左右教坊) and was in charge of the haiyu acrobatics in the palace (掌管宫廷的俳优杂技). The Yichun Courtyard (宜春院) is composed of female actors (女伶), known as "insiders (内人)", who often perform in front of emperors, also known as "predecessors (前头人)". At that time, there were some out standing palace Geji, such as Niannu (念奴) and Xu Hezi (Xu Yongxin，许和子或许永新), whose deeds can be seen in Wang Renyu's "The Legacy of Kaiyuan Tianbao (开元天宝遗事)" of the Five Dynasties. According to records, the singing voice of a nun is like drilling out the morning clouds in the sky, and the noise of bells, drums, and sheng yu cannot be suppressed. Therefore, Emperor Xuanzong greatly favored her. Yuan Zhen also described the situation at that time in his poem "Lianchang Palace Ci (连昌宫词)". Xu Hezi is from Yongxin, Jizhou, hence also known as "Xu Yongxin". Her father is a musician. According to Duan Anjie's "Miscellaneous Records of Yuefu (乐府杂录)", she has loved singing since childhood and is beautiful and intelligent. Her singing is natural and fresh, and she is good at changing old tones into new ones. Once, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang held a grand banquet at the Qinzheng Building, but the noise from the audience interfered with the music, which made him very unhappy. Gao Lishi suggested that Xu Yongxin perform on stage to stop the noise. Xu Yongxin's singing was accompanied by silence, and the audience was attracted by her singing voice. Xuanzong often said that her songs are worth a thousand gold.

Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms

During the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period (五代十国时期), the south was relatively stable, and there were Gejis both inside and outside the palace. Bashu, a remote area in the southwest, was relatively stable. During the former and later Shu periods, Chengdu's shops were prosperous, and singing, dancing and entertainment were very popular. The emerging popular music form, the word (词), was favored. Mrs. Huarui (花蕊夫人) once wrote more than 100 "Palace Cis (宫词)" describing life in the palace. These verses vividly record the grand music and dance scene in Chengdu during the Five Dynasties period. These poems describe a complete set of music and dance performances in the palace, from learning, rehearsal to performance. In order to make the performance successful, Liyuan Zidis (梨园子弟) and the Gejis studied and rehearsed every day. In the performance of team dance during the Five Dynasties, the "dance head" is equivalent to the "bamboo pole" in the team dance of the Song dynasty. Among the team dances during the reign of King Yan of the former Shu dynasty, the Red Lotus Picking Team Dance is very famous. The stage setting for the Red Lotus Picking Team Dance is extremely luxurious, and there are 220 women singing and performing. In the early years of the Northern Song dynasty, Zhang Yong (张咏)'s "Poems in Mourning for Shu" described Chengdu during the Later Shu period: "The shadows of candles are sinking like stars, and the songs are falling with the moon." Lu You (陆游) records that during the Shu period, there were many folk musicians in Chongzhou alone. There is a saying of "three thousand official willows and four thousand pipa"."Han Xizai's Night Banquet (韩熙载夜宴图)" is a painting by Gu Hongzhong (顾闳中), a painter of the Southern Tang dynasty during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. It depicts the scene of the official Han Xizai (韩熙载) having a night banquet at his home, singing and having fun. In the painting, there are scenes of Li Ji (李姬), Wang Wushan (王屋山) and other Gejis performing. In the painting "Listening to Music", there is a painting of the Jiaofang (教坊) Geji Li Ji (李姬) sitting alone with her pipa in her arms. Because of her superb playing skills, everyone present was attracted to pay attention and listen attentively. In the picture "Watching the Dance", the emotions of the people at the party reached a climax at this time, and they put down their official pretentiousness to participate in the entertainment. Han Xizai took off his outer robe and rolled up his sleeves, held a mallet and accompanied his family's Wuji (舞妓) Wang Wushan in the "Six Yao Dance (六幺舞)" with his disciple Shu Ya (舒雅).

Song dynasty

During the Song dynasty, many scholars trained Gejis, or interacted with Gejis and exchanged poems and songs, which also affected literary creation and the spread of poetry. Liu E (刘娥) once was a Geji who was good at beating the drum and singing drum lyrics. She was good at playing the drum and singing while playing it, and her singing voice was beautiful. The Wanyue Ci (婉约词) in the Song dynasty had a close relationship with Gejis. The Wanyue Ci (婉约词) in the early Northern Song dynasty was written for Gejis to sing, and their contents were mostly about love affairs between men and women, boudoir love, etc. Zhang Xian (张先), Yan Shu (晏殊), Liu Yong (柳永) and other poets have many poems about Gejis. Liu Yong (柳永) often had contact with Gejis and often wrote lyrics for Gejis and musicians. He also often composed new songs himself and then wrote lyrics for Gejis to sing. His official career was not smooth, so he had special feelings for the Gejis who were also in the lower class of society, and maintained a harmonious relationship with them. At that time, the Gejis liked to talk about poetry and songs with Liu Yong (柳永). After Liu Yong (柳永)'s death, Hangzhou Gejis Xie Yuying (谢玉英), Zhao Xiangxiang (赵香香) and Chen Shishi (陈师师) paid for Liu Yong's burial with other Gejis. Every year during the Qingming Festival (清明节), Gejis go to Liu Yong's tomb to pay homage, which is called "Diao Liu Qi (吊柳七)" or "Diao Liu Hui (吊柳会)". Liu Yong has many poems about Gejis, such as "Xi Chunlang (惜春郎)", "Feng Title Cup (凤衔杯)", etc. The content includes describing the Geji's life, describing the Geji's appearance and talents, and expressing his love for the Geji. The Gejis mentioned by Liu Yong in "Collection of Movements (乐章集)" include Chongniang (虫娘), Yingying (英英), Xinniang (心娘), Suniang (酥娘), etc. Yan Shu (晏殊) is a poet of the Song dynasty, wrote part of his poems about separation and sorrow, which were written in response to the needs of the Gejis. Yan Shu's son Yan Jidao (晏几道) had deep sympathy for those smart but unfortunate Gejis, which was revealed in his lyrics. In addition to the poets of Wanyue Ci (婉约词) ,who Haofang Ci (豪放词) poet Su Shi (苏轼) also had contacts with Gejis. When he left Hangzhou for Mizhou, when passing through Suzhou, there were Gejis guarding Changmen when he left the city and held a farewell banquet for him. Su Shi wrote "Drunk and Desolate·Farewell at Suzhou Changmen (醉落魄·苏州阊门留别)" was given to her. Su Shi's concubine Wang Chaoyun (王朝云) was also a Geji, and the Geji Qin Cao (琴操) also had a friendship with Su Shi.

Qin Guan (秦观), a scholar from the Su Men (苏门学士), also had close contacts with Gejis. Su Shi's good friend Chen Zhen (陈慥) had many Gejis, which made his wife Liushi (柳氏) dissatisfied. Liushi even reprimanded Chen Zhen loudly in front of her guests, which made Chen Zhen very afraid of his wife. This incident is also the origin of the idiom "Hedong Lion's Roar (河东狮吼)". Song dynasty poet Xin Qiji (辛弃疾) also dated Gejis, he likes to watch singing and dancing performances of Gejis. Xin Qiji also wrote about Gejis in his works. Li Shishi (李师师) is a Geji in the late Northern Song dynasty, was very famous for her good lyrics, music and singing skills. Zhou Bangyan (周邦彦) also had contact with her and wrote lyrics for Li Shishi. In addition to Li Shishi, Zhou Bangyan also had contact with the Geji Yue Chuyun (岳楚云). After the Southern Song dynasty, lyrics gradually became "elegant (雅化)". There were fewer lyrics describing Gejis, and many of them were no longer suitable for singing by Gejis. However, some poets at that time still wrote lyrics for Gejis. Gejis in the Song dynasty were good at singing "small singing (小唱)" and "piao singing (嘌唱)". Small singing belongs to elegant singing, such as "slow music" and "qupo". The Gejis sing and dance, and they themselves beat the rhythm with their hands or clappers, while the musicians next to them accompany them with bamboo flutes, dragon flutes, and shengs. Gejis should sing elegant tunes, with "soft and beautiful voices", slow rhythm and preciseness. Meng Yuanlao of the Northern Song dynasty recorded that the Gejis who were good at singing include Li Shishi, Xu Poxi (徐婆惜), Feng Yinu (封宜奴), and Sun Sansi (孙三四). Among them, Li Shishi was the best, represented by "Youth Tour (少年游)", "Lanling King (兰陵王)", "Da Mo (大酩)", " "Six Ugly (六丑)". There were more famous singers among the Gejis in the Southern Song dynasty. "Mengliang Lu (梦粱录)" mentioned Jin Sailan (金赛兰), Fan Duyi (范都宜), Tang An'an (唐安安), Ni Duxi (倪都惜) and so on. Piao singing (嘌唱) is a popular singing method, singing songs, singing tunes, and singing small orders. The Gejis use drums to accompany them, playing fast and complex strings, lively and indulgent.

The song and dance songs of the Tang dynasty developed into team dance performances in the Song dynasty. According to the "Song Book·Yue Zhi (宋书·乐志)", the court dances in the Song dynasty included the "Children's Dance Team" and the "Female Disciple Team". The female disciples (女弟子) mentioned here refer to the female artists who studied song, dance and drama. "Yun Gongfeng Zhenyin Manlu (郧公式峰真隐漫录)" by Shi Hao (史浩) of the Song dynasty records in detail the performances of the "Lotus Picking Dance (采莲舞)", "Taiqing Dance (太清舞)", "Zhezhi Dance (柘枝舞)", "Flower Dance (花舞)", "Sword Dance (剑舞)" and "Fisherman Dance (渔父舞)" in the Song dynasty. The book "Complete Song Ci (全宋词)" contains poetry works by 23 gejis.

Yuan dynasty

During the Yuan dynasty (元朝), various professions were divided into ten levels. Geji or female performer，male entertainer and sex worker were all classified as "Chang (倡)" in the eighth level. Some of the actresses who performed in Zaju (杂剧) in the Yuan dynasty were themselves Gejis from Jiaofang (教坊). In addition, many Gejis will sing Sanqu (散曲) in gelou (歌楼) and banquet to entertain them. "Qinglou Ji (青楼集)" by Xia Tingzhi (夏庭芝) of the Yuan dynasty and "Chuogeng Lu (辍耕录)" by Tao Zongyi (陶宗仪) recorded the life details and deeds of some Gejis. In addition to performing dramas and singing Sanqu (散曲), Geji also sang Xiwens (戏文), slow lyrics (慢词), and Zhugong Diaos (诸宫调). Famous Gejis in the Yuan dynasty include Liang Yuanxiu (梁园秀), Shunshi Xiu (顺时秀), Zhulianxiu (珠帘秀), Tianranxiu (天然秀), etc. They also made good friends with literati. Some Gejis who performed in dramas also established deep friendships with Yuan opera writers (元曲作家), such as Zhulianxiu (珠帘秀) and Guan Hanqing (关汉卿), Tianranxiu (天然秀) and Bai Renfu (白仁甫), etc. "Qinglou Ji (青楼集)" records the deeds of Gejis, performers and other people in Dadu, Jinling, Weiyang, Wuchang, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Huguang and other places in the Yuan dynasty. Each of these Gejis had different artistic attainments, which recorded their talents in Zaju (杂剧), Yuanben (院本), Piaochang (嘌唱), Zhugong Diao (诸宫调), dance, and instrumental music. In particular, there are detailed records of the expertise of some Zaju (杂剧) actors. At the same time, it also records Gejis entertainment and interactions with some dignitaries, literary talents, and writers of opera or prose at that time. Tao Zongyi's "Yeting Ji of the YuanShi (元氏掖庭记)" writes that the famous banquets in the palace, as well as the banquets "named after the events", are all inseparable from the singing, dancing and drinking of the palace Gejis. A court music and dance of the Yuan dynasty, the Sixteen Heavenly Demon Dance (十六天魔舞)was created in the 14th year of the reign of Emperor Shun of the Yuan dynasty (元顺帝). The dancers are sixteen court Wujis (舞妓) and Gejis (歌妓). When they are in the palace praising Buddha, they dance and play music.

Ming dynasty

In the early Hongwu years of the Ming dynasty, Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang (朱元璋) established Jinling as his capital, and most of the Gejis were concentrated in the Qinhuai River (秦淮河) area. In the early Ming dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang established the Sixteenth Floor (十六楼) in Nanjing. In the 19th year of Yongle (AD 1421), Emperor Zhu Di (朱棣) moved the capital to Beijing, and he established Jiaofang (教坊) in Nanjing and Beijing. Jiaofang (教坊) was officially renamed Jiaofangsi (教坊司) in the Ming dynasty, and some prostitutes were also managed by departments under Jiaofangsi (教坊司). But in the Ming dynasty, Jiaofangsi (教坊司) still had a department responsible for performing arts, and the boundaries between Gejis and prostitutes were clear. The sixteenth floor is an officially managed brothel containing prostitutes providing prostitution services. However, five of the sixteen floors are occupied by Gejis responsible for singing and dancing performances and do not provide prostitution services. In the early Ming dynasty, Gejis were all under the management of the Jiaofangsi (教坊司) of the Ministry of Rites of the Ming government. When guests went to the five restaurants to drink, the Jiaofangsi (教坊司) sent Gejis who knew etiquette and music and dance to play and sing to add to the entertainment. In the Ming dynasty, Nanjing people paid great attention to etiquette when attending banquets. Elders sat at banquets and toasted in accordance with this rule, and no violation of etiquette was allowed. Zhu Houzhao (朱厚照), Emperor Wuzong of the Ming dynasty (明武宗), went on many tours, and the local government provided him with Gejis to serve him. Zhu Houzhao's concubine Liu Liangnü (刘良女) had been a Geji. In the middle of the Ming dynasty, the trend of scholar-bureaucrats looking for singing girls became more and more popular. There were also Gejis in Lingnan, such as Zhang Qiao (张乔), who was close to the Nanyuan Poetry Society (南园诗社). In the late Ming dynasty, Gejis and prostitutes gathered in parts of the Qinhuai River, each performing their duties. Parts of the Qinhuai River in the Ming dynasty were different from the Pingkangfang red light district in the Tang dynasty. The Pingkangfang red light district was only populated by prostitutes. It became popular in the late Ming dynasty for young talents to take advantage of the opportunity to travel to Nanjing to participate in the provincial examination and associate with Gejis. Scholars of letters took exams, and some celebrated success with Gejis, or were comforted by Gejis after failing the exams. In the late Ming dynasty, due to the disrepair of imperial regulations and other reasons, the literati class generally lacked confidence in governing the country. Members of the Fushe (复社), represented by Maoxiang (冒襄), Fang Yizhi (方以智), and Chen Liang (陈梁), could only laugh and curse in the Qinhuai Gelou (歌楼). Way to express inner resentment to the eunuch group. Gejis come from poor backgrounds, and only through the acquisition of art can they win the favor of the literati class and bring considerable economic benefits. At the same time, Gejis participated extensively in artistic creation, making artistic taste more refined and catering to the spiritual needs of the literati class. Among the Gejis in the late Ming dynasty, Chen Yuanyuan, Dong Xiaowan, Gu Hengbo, Li Xiangjun, Liu Rushi, Ma Shouzhen, Bian Yujing, and Kou Baimen were called “Eight Beauties of Qinhuai”. “Eight Beauties of Qinhuai” are excellent female artists, and they all showed national integrity and patriotism at a time when the country was surviving or changing dynasties. Other notable Ming gejis include the painter Lin Xue and the poets Wang Wei and Yang Wan etc.

Qing dynasty

The Geji culture continued in the Qing dynasty, and some Gejis from the late Ming dynasty continued to perform singing and dancing as Gejis in the Qing dynasty. The Gejis at the turn of the Ming and Qing dynasties included Dong'er (冬儿), Lang Yuan (郎圆), etc. During the Qing dynasty, the Geji Lang Yuan (郎圆) performed the famous Tang dynasty dance "Zhe Zhi (柘枝)" at noble family banquet and was praised. During the Qing dynasty, Gejis were hired to perform at gatherings of nobles, wealthy businessmen, and literati as entertainment activities. At the Twenty-Four Bridge (二十四桥) in Yangzhou, Gejis gather here and perform performing arts here. Literati and wealthy businessmen would go to the Twenty-Four Bridge to watch the performances of Gejis. The literati would recite poems here and the Gejis would also participate in the cultural activities of the literati. The playwright Li Yu (李渔) formed his own family theater troupe. The main actresses in Li Yu's theater troupe, Qiao Ji (乔姬) and Wang Ji (王姬), were both former Gejis. These two outstanding actresses joined Li Yu's opera troupe at the age of 13 and transformed from singers into opera actors. Gejis during the Qing dynasty still paid attention to art. In the early Qing dynasty, Yangzhou Geji Chen Susu (陈素素) was good at writing poems, painting and singing. She also wrote a collection of poems. In the Xiao Qinhuai River area (小秦淮河地区) of Yangzhou, Gejis,other type female performers and prostitutes gather here. During the Qianlong (乾隆) period, Gejis still had a high artistic level in performing arts. For example, in the Xiao Qinhuai Record (小秦淮记) in "Yangzhou Painting Boat Record (扬州画舫录)", the Geji Su Yin (苏殷) is good at painting, can shoot arrows and hits three times with three shots. As the adopted daughter of a musician, Geji Zhenzhu Niang (珍珠娘) is good at singing. Geji Xu Yanyun (徐砚云) is good at playing the flute and telling humorous stories. Everyone present laughed happily every time she told a story. She also liked to wear men's clothes and ride horses, so people at the time called her "Flying Fairy (飞仙)". The Wuji (舞妓) Zhu Niang (珠娘) was good at dancing and boxing. She also incorporated martial arts skills into her dance. She became so famous that Qian Mei'an (钱梅庵) painted "Zhu Niang's Boxing Style (珠娘拳式图)" for her. Geji Yang Xiaobao (杨小宝) is good at singing Kunqu opera and ditties, and is known as the Qutan, Zhuangyuan (曲坛状元). The Zhuangyuan (状元) in Suzhou, Qian Xiangling (钱湘舲), went south to Yangzhou to listen to songs and was deeply impressed by the talent of Yangzhou Gejis. From them, three people were selected as the "Zhuangyuan (状元)", "Bangyan (榜眼)" and "Tanhua (探花)", namely Yang Xiaobao (杨小宝), Gu Xiaoyu (顾霞娱) and Yang Gaosan (杨高三), all of whom were at that time leader in Yangzhou music scene. Yang Xiaobao's (杨小宝) tunes and rhythms are as famous as those of her contemporary composer Zhu Yedong (朱野东). She was a leader in the Yangzhou music scene at that time and was called in the music world and an "unparalleled woman (无双女)". When Qianlong (乾隆) visited the south, the local government provided him with local Gejis or actress. Qianlong's requirements were very high, and he would not accept any Geji who he thought had an average artistic level. It is said that, Qianlong's concubine Fang Fei Chen (芳妃陈氏) was once a Geji. By the Xianfeng (咸丰) period, there were still teachers for teaching Gejis and systematic performance venues for Gejis. Geji could play pipa and qiang flute, act in dramas. Nobles and wealthy businessmen viewed Geji's performances as entertainment.

Downfall

Decline

Geji were initially not involved in the direct sex trade, but rather were entertainers who performed music and arts, such as poetry, music and singing, to please dignitaries and intellectuals. They were respected and renowned for their art and education in the classics, and were hired to perform to both male and female clients, as well as employed by the state. After the establishment of the Qing dynasty in 1644, however, the Geji were banned from being employed by the state. During the Qing dynasty, although Gejis were no longer employed by the state, the Geji system still continued, and Gejis and prostitutes maintained boundaries. Before 1860, there was still a system of teaching and performing Gejis in society, watching Geji performances was an entertainment activity for the wealthy. After 1860, due to the influence of social environment, the Geji system began to disappear. Prostitutes began to gradually replace Geji, and prostitutes from the eight major alleys (八大胡同) in Beijing became popular. Emperor Tongzhi (同治) of the late Qing dynasty went to visit prostitutes in Bada Hutong and died of syphilis at the age of 19. By 1865, a few Geji and singing and dancing establishments were still operating. At this time, Geji who could write traditional poems were already very scarce. Gejis who were still performing at the same time were also performing in song and dance venues and at parties invited by the wealthy. In order to cater to the remaining audiences, they began to include pornographic songs in their singing, and their clothes became more tacky. The remaining Geji gradually chose to follow the patrons who liked them and quit the career of Geji.

Taiwan Yidan

During the Qing dynasty in Taiwan, local Gejis in Taiwan were called Yidan (艺旦). Initially, there was not much difference between Yidans and prostitutes. The formal distinction between Yidans and prostitutes was during the Tongzhi (同治) period in Taiwan. With the development of trade in various places, merchants began to entertain guests, and there were more and more restaurants. In addition to eating and drinking, there was also a need for some entertainment programs. After the port was opened to trade in the late Qing dynasty, the number of literati, wealthy businessmen, and officials coming to Taiwan increased, and the demand for entertainment and banquets also increased. Therefore, Yidan (艺旦) who did not engage in prostitution began to appear, and "Yidan room (艺旦间)" for Yidans to perform. Starting from the period of study, Yidan performs in Yidan rooms or in restaurants. Yidan also performs at temple fairs, private banquets, public events and other occasions outside restaurants. Yidans will perform traditional musical instruments such as pipa, sanxian and dulcimer, sing and dance, and recite poems to guests. Yidans also public performances of "Yidan Opera (艺旦戏)" opera. Yidan also needs to go to Sishu (私塾) to study and learn poetry culture. The female boss (女老板) of Yidan (艺旦) will ask Mr. Xiaoshu (校书先生) to teach Yidan music theory and opera, such as teaching Nanguan (南管) or Beiguan (北管). Yidan students must learn all the repertoire of "Yidan Qu (艺旦曲)" and pass Mr. Xiaoshu's (校书先生) test before they are qualified to become Yidan. This tradition of Geji in Taiwan continued into Taiwan's post-war period. With the development of popular culture, Yidan gradually disappeared. Recording began to flourish in Taiwan in 1926, and music at this time was recorded by Yidan (艺旦). Famous Yidans in Taiwan include Wang Xiangchan (王香禅), Chen Tian (陈甜), etc.

Prostitute prevalent

During the Qing dynasty, there was a kind of female storyteller, also known as "Nv Tanci (女弹词)". They were not Gejis or prostitutes, and generally did not engage in prostitution. The female storyteller performs in the Shuchang (书场), plays and sings with her pipa, and tells Chuanqi (传奇) stories. Female storytellers have teachers who pass down their skills, and they learn their skills from an early age. In the early years of Xianfeng's reign, Zhu Sulan (朱素兰), a Geji, combined the careers of female storyteller and Geji,founded a "Shuyu (书寓)" in Shanghai. Zhu Sulan has very strict requirements for Gejis. They must have storytelling skills and be taught by teachers, and they tell about some books Chuanqi (传奇) stories. These Gejis tell Chuanqi stories, play the piano and sing, and they also entertain guests with drinks, but they do not engage in prostitution. Zhu Sulan's combination of the two professions was highly praised, and Shuyu (书寓) flourished for a while. In the early years of Tongzhi (同治), the Gejis Zhou Ruixian (周瑞仙) and Yan Lizhen (严丽贞) were popular. Zhou Ruixian is famous for saying "Three Smiles on Marriage (三笑姻缘)", but she can only tell half of it, while Yan Lizhen can tell all. When Zhou Ruixian got older, she trained young Gejis to get paid. After the Taiping Rebellion, the Shuyu (书寓) industry has been transformed into prostitutes, and more prostitutes have entered this industry. After the 1870s, many Shuyus (书寓) moved to Shanghai's concessions, and prostitution became commonplace.

During the late Qing dynasty and the Republic of China, due to the times, society as a whole fell into poverty, and the Geji culture could no longer sustain itself. During the late Qing dynasty and the Republic of China, there were a large number of prostitutes engaged in prostitution in China, and these prostitutes had different levels. The prostitutes combined the social function of the Geji with the career of a prostitute, further replacing the Geji in social functions. Although prostitutes or Sing-song girls replaced the Geji, their skills were not as good as those of the Geji in the past. Prostitutes focus on accompanying customers with drinks. Prostitutes do not play chess or talk about poetry with their customers like Gejis. Instead, they play cards and mahjong with their customers. Prostitutes did not have much artistic skills, and the songs and dances they performed also contained more erotic elements, and they were unable to perform a complete repertoire. Most prostitutes are illiterate and uneducated. Even high-class prostitutes rarely received education, and a few only received primary education and did not receive specialized poetry education. At that time, many prostitutes gathered on boats on the water to engage in prostitution. After about 1889, Puji (濮姬), a Geji educated in singing and poetry, make a living in the prostitutes gathering area on the water. Puji acted alone and made a living by singing in the area as a Geji. She wrote a collection of poems, but few people appreciate her. Puji could no longer make a living just by singing. She also had to weave baskets to make ends meet, so she was not wealthy. Puji met Xie Xixun (谢锡勋), an imperial examination candidate during the Guangxu (光绪) period. Xie Xixun admired the poems written by Puji. Puji was married as a concubine by Xie Xixun and lived a stable life. In the middle of the Guangxu period of the Qing dynasty, Gejis were once again trained in Beijing, and their residences were called Xiaobans (小班). But when the Boxer Rebellion (义和团运动)began, these Gejis scattered. Later, the brothels run by prostitutes continued to be named Xiaoban (小班) or Qingyin Xiaoban (清吟小班), and their occupation changed to prostitution, which was different from before.

Sing-song girl

Jiaoshu (校书) is an official position for men in ancient China,this word was not a derogatory term used for women in ancient China. Female Jiaoshu (女校书) was not a derogatory term in ancient China. In ancient China, it could be used to praise talented women among Gejis, or even to praise talented women among purdah women. Xue Tao (薛涛), a famous Geji, female poet and Qing guest (清客) in the Tang dynasty, was called the female Jiaoshu (女校书) because of her outstanding talent. This is an affirmation of Xue Tao's talent. After Xue Tao, talented Gejis were called "female Jiaoshu (女校书)". Xue Susu (薛素素), a famous Geji and female painter during the Ming dynasty, was known as the "Ten Talented Woman (十能才女)" and the "Female Jiaoshu (女校书)" because of her talent. Lin Xue (林雪), a Geji and female painter in the Ming dynasty, was called "Female Jiaoshu (女校书)" because of her excellent painting ability. Wang Wei (王微), a famous Geji and female poet in the late Ming dynasty, was also called "Female Jiaoshu (女校书)" because of her talent. Among the boudoir women, the talented Ban Zhao (班昭), Xie Daoyun (谢道韫) and Huang Yuanjie (黄媛介) are also called female Jiaoshu (女校书) because of their outstanding talents. There were also a few prostitutes in ancient China who might call themselves female Jiaoshu (女校书), but this was not the mainstream. Nv Shi (女史) was a female palace official in ancient China who was in charge of matters related to palace etiquette, writing documents, etc. The term Nv Shi (女史) is also a good name for intellectual women in ancient China. Dong Xiaowan (董小宛), a famous Geji in the Ming dynasty, was outstandingly talented. She was also a female poet, painter, Kunqu actor (昆曲演员), and even one of the top ten famous chefs in ancient China. Dong Xiaowan's nickname is "Qinglian Nv Shi (青莲女史)", which she took on because of her admiration for the Chinese Tang dynasty poet Li Bai (李白). During the late Qing dynasty and the Republic of China, Geji culture declined. In order to promote themselves, high-class prostitutes or Sing-song girls called themselves "Jiaoshu (校书)" and "Ci Shi (词史)", even though most of them were uneducated, and the literate ones among them there is also not enough cultural level. At the same time, the brothel frequenters of these prostitutes also like to call them "Jiaoshu (校书)" and "Ci Shi (词史)" to show off. The prostitutes in "Shuyu (书寓)" who turned into prostitution call themselves "Sir" or "Xiansheng (先生)", the first-class brothels are called "Changsan Shuyu (长三书寓)", and the first-class prostitutes are also called "Xiansheng". The reason why they are called Xiansheng is not because these prostitutes have a high level of education. "Xiansheng" is a method used by high-end prostitutes to improve themselves. It roughly means that they are a little educated and can sing and dance a little, they cannot be compared with low-level prostitutes who know nothing. This is different from the traditional Gejis in ancient China, but during the Republic of China, many prostitutes and prostitute operators could call themselves singing girls or Gejis at will.

Dancing girl

In the early 1920s, commercial dance halls began to appear in Shanghai, and the profession of dancing girl appeared in the dance halls to accompany men in dancing. The image and dancing skills of the Paramount dancing girls were the highest overall among the ballroom dancing girls at that time. Ballroom dancing girls not only provide backup dancers, but also provide entertainment activities such as accompanying customers to drink and party chat. Therefore, ballroom dancing girls have replaced high-end prostitutes in brothels in terms of social functions. The dancing girls in the big ballroom are more similar to the Gejis in ancient China than the prostitutes, but there are many differences between the two. Dancing girls do not need poetry or painting skills, and chatting with customers focuses more on drinking. The dancing girls danced Western ballroom dances, while the ancient Gejis performed Chinese classical dances. To a certain extent, dancing girls focus more on companionship, while ancient Gejis focus more on performance. Gejis in ancient times needed to be trained from an early age, and the training took a long time. Dancing girls during the Republic of China usually received training for three or four months after they reached adulthood. Dancing girls in small dance halls during the Republic of China were usually prostitutes who had a low income and also engaged in prostitution to earn income.

The remain singing girl

During the Republic of China, a small number of singing girls made a living by singing in teahouses and restaurants. At that time, except for Taiwan, there was no relatively complete Geji system. Singing girls who work in teahouses and restaurants usually only need to learn the skills of singing and playing musical instruments. There are no cultural requirements, and they do not need to learn skills such as poetry, chess, paint and dance. There is a kind of Geji in the Qinhuai area of Nanjing, whose profession is singing. These Gejis used to be in teahouses, singing big songs and other songs. Later, singing girls were banned and were not allowed to sing in teahouses. These singing girls continued to sing on the Qinhuai River in boats known as "seven boards (七板子)". They always sat in front of the boats and did not engage in prostitution. There are musicians and others accompaniment in the boat, and there are about two singing girls in each boat. After dark, the boats of singing girls go about their business outside Dazhong Bridge, asking people passing by if they want to listen to music. There were also prostitutes engaged in prostitution on the boats on the Qinhuai River. From the late Qing dynasty to the Republic of China, there was group of Tang Kou (堂口) in Guangzhou opened and run by wealthy "Shi Niang (师娘)" who specialized in adopting and training blind girl to learn arts. They taught them the skills of playing the piano, singing and divination, that they could sing for them in the future make money. Wealthy families often invite Shi Niang (师娘) to sing and entertain at their weddings. During the day and at night when there was no need for singing activities, Shi Niang also engaged in handicraft work at the teacher's house, such as weaving bamboo utensils and making yarn. Shi Niang (师娘) refers to a blind singing girl who makes a career of singing Cantonese songs, also known as "Gu Ji (瞽姬)". In the early days, most sang wooden fish songs, dragon boat songs, Nanyin songs, and Cantonese songs. By the late Qing dynasty, they mainly sang Cantonese songs. From the late Qing dynasty to before the May 4th Movement, Cantonese songs entered the "Shi Niang (师娘)" period. At the beginning of the 20th century, the teahouse in Xiguan, Guangzhou pioneered the Shi Niang (师娘) singing method of "one tea table and two chairs". As soon as this example was launched, teahouses in the Pearl River Delta region, Hong Kong and Macau followed suit.

Around 1918, Nv Ling (女伶) normal vision began to sing on stage. The first Nv Ling (女伶) to sing on stage was Lin Yanyu (林燕玉), whose stage name was Feng Ying (凤影). She set a precedent for blind singing girl to sing with Nv Ling (女伶). Lin Yanyu turned out to be a young girl in a brothel,she was a singing girl who had not yet engaged in prostitution only entertained guests by singing songs. She left the brothel to make a living singing. Zhuo Keqing (卓可卿), a singing girl from the same background as Lin Yanyu, was also hired by the qutan (曲坛) to sing on stage. Some singing girls who originally sang provincial minor tunes and local folk arts also left their original environment and joined the folk arts team. This is the origin of "Nv Ling (女伶)". They gradually replaced the original "Shi Niang (师娘)" who sang ancient Cantonese song and became active In the emerging teahouse singing scene. During the Republic of China, there were also singing girls sing popular songs in large dance halls or nightclubs. They are dancing girls in the dance hall, but because they are mainly responsible for singing in the dance hall, strictly speaking the title of singing girl is more appropriate. During the late Qing dynasty and the Republic of China, there were three relatively well-known and relatively traditional Gejis,Yang Cuixi,Xiao Fengxian and Li Pingxiang (李苹香). During the late Qing dynasty and the Republic of China, there were very few traditional Gejis and they were no longer organized. Like Xiao Fengxian and Li Pingxiang, there are very few brothel girls who can escape prostitution.

Appearance

There was no special appearance of the costumes of gejis in ancient China; their costumes were generally based on the popular styles of the society at that time.During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, gejis wore hoods, and dacing girls had sleeves several feet long. During the Warring States Period, gejis wore long-sleeved, curved-hem robes with cross collars and right lapels, long robes that trailed on the ground, and large belts tied around the waist.The gejis wore curved skirts, had extremely thin waists, their hair hung down to their shoulders and was slightly curled upwards. This was roughly the typical attire of gejis in the Yanzhao region.The gejis of the Warring States Period also wore fan-shaped buns on their heads, with two strands of hair hanging down like phoenix wings, and one strand of hair on top of their heads floating upwards. They tied a small braid at the back of their heads, with the knot clearly visible.The gejis painted on the unearthed painted wooden figurines and lacquer boxes of the Chu State all wore quju(曲裾) Hanfu(汉服), mostly long robes that reached the ground. This style was later borrowed by the robes of the Han Dynasty.

Geji in ancient Chinese society

Nowadays, few people distinguish between Gejis and prostitutes, thus causing some confusion between the two. In English, the English expressions for Gejis and prostitutes in China are also relatively vague,both Gejis and high-end prostitutes are called "courtesan". For example, the high-end prostitutes in the red light district of Pingkangfang in the Tang dynasty were called "courtesan" in English, and the Gejis in Jiaofang or song and dance venue in the Tang dynasty were also called "courtesan" in English. Among the prostitutes in the late Qing dynasty and the Republic of China, the Changsan class who took prostitution as their profession were also called "courtesan" in English. The word "singsong girl" comes from the Changsan prostitute and is not the real translation of the singing girl. However, now the word "singsong girl" is also used as the translation of the singing girl, so sometimes it may cause misunderstanding. High-end prostitutes or famous prostitutes such as Sai Jinhua and Du Shiniang who are engaged in prostitution are called "courtesan" in English. Well-known Gejis such as Eight Beauties of Qinhuai and Xue Tao who are engaged in performing arts are also called "courtesan" in English. Stories about Gejis and prostitutes in ancient China are sometimes called "courtesan" stories. The story about the Geji The Tale of Huo Xiaoyu and The Peach Blossom Fan corresponds to "courtesan" in English, while the story about the high-end prostitute The Tale of Li Wa and “The Oil Vendor and the Queen of Flowers” also corresponds to "courtesan" in English. Because both Geji and high-end prostitutes can be called "courtesan" in English, it is sometimes easy to cause misunderstandings. In Chinese, the English word "courtesan" is often translated as "prostitute" in the Chinese language environment, so this can easily cause misunderstanding. In ancient Chinese society, a Geji was a performer who was engaged in sing and dance performances, and there was a certain difference from high-end prostitutes who were engaged in prostitution.

In ancient Chinese society, Gejis belonged to the lower class of society, and their social status was far lower than that of the upper-class men with whom they interacted. However, they generally did not engage in prostitution, and their relationships with men were usually not based on prostitution and whoring relationship. In ancient Chinese culture, the upper class needed art for entertainment, so they naturally needed professional entertainers with performing arts. However, because entertainers were people who entertained the upper class, their social status was lower. The social status of female entertainers was lower than that of male entertainers because in ancient China men could participate in various jobs and were considered the main source of family income, women are usually confined to the home, and most women cannot go out to work. In ancient Chinese tradition, women took acting as their profession, and it was not appropriate for women to play musical instruments in front of men. Therefore, female performers were at the bottom of society. Although the social status of Geji is lower, Geji is one of the female professions in ancient China, Gejis and prostitutes are two professions that exist in society at the same time.

Selling songs is different from prostitution, listening to songs is different from whoring, and what does it have to do with morality? ——However, since they are forced to sing as a career, their songs must have no artistic interest; besides, we should sympathize with their life experiences.

Geji and Art

The ancient Chinese allusion of "Yuyin Raoliang (余音绕梁)" comes from a Geji named Han E(韩娥). Han'e, the Hanguo (先秦韩国) Geji of the pre-Qin dynasty, came to Qi from Hanguo. She had beautiful appearance, beautiful voice, and her singing was also very emotional. When Han E cried with a "Man Sheng (曼声)", the song she sang was extremely sad, and people were immersed in sadness after listening to it. People in the Yongmen area of Qi State were famous for their singing skills because they learned Han E's singing. People in the capital of Qi are good at singing and crying sadly, which was influenced by Han E.

Geji also participated in the singing of ancient Chinese Yuefu (乐府) music. During the Southern and Northern dynasties (南北朝), the authors of folk songs in the Southern dynasties were Han Chinese (汉人), and many Yuefu poems were written by Geji. Geji are the receivers and disseminators of Tang poetry. They participate in the oral dissemination method of Tang poetry construction, but are closely related to the written creation of Tang poetry. The repeated singing of Song Ci (宋词) by Gejis promoted the popularity of Ci. To a certain extent, it influenced and consolidated the aesthetic appreciation of the people of the Song dynasty for Ci, creating a trend of literati writing Ci, Gejis singing Ci, and the people loving Ci. Gejis had a profound impact on the development of Song Ci. In the Yuan dynasty, Gejis widely participated in the performance of zaju (杂剧). Through the practice of stage performance, Gejis made the singing skills and other stage arts of zaju improved and perfected, and the performances of Gejis in various places objectively promoted the spread of zaju.

The importance of courtesans in Chinese love, literature, music, politics, etc cannot be overemphasized. Men think it is inappropriate for women of purdah families to play musical instruments, which is harmful to their moral cultivation; it is also inappropriate for them to read too many books, which is also harmful to their morals. Painting and poetry are rarely encouraged. However, men do not give up the pursuit of female companions with literary and artistic attainments. Those gejis have great development in these areas because they do not need ignorance to protect their morality.

Two female poets of the "Four Great Female Poets of the Tang Dynasty", Xue Tao and Liu Caichun, were born as gejis.Xue Tao, a female poet who was born a geji, is also among “the four great talented women in Shu(蜀中四大才女)”.Xue Tao was the first female innovator in the history of Chinese calligraphy,she is also a female innovator in the history of Chinese papermaking.Ma Xianglan(马湘兰) was born as a geji, was the first female xiqu(戏曲) writer in Chinese history.Ma Xianglan was also the first geji in Chinese history to form a Kunqu family troupe.The geji Xue Susu was the only female chess player in the Ming Dynasty for whom historical records can be found.Han Yuesu(韩约素) was a geji in the late Ming Dynasty and became a seal engraver in the Qing Dynasty. She is the first Chinese female seal engraver to be recorded in the "Biography of Seal Engravers(印人传)" as a seal engraver.Dong Xiaowan, who was born a geji, invented tiger skin meat(虎皮肉) and Dong sugar(董糖).Dong Xiaowan is listed among the "Top Ten Famous Chefs in Ancient China" and "Six Beautiful Chefs in Ancient China".Zhu Sulan(朱素兰), a geji and female pingtan artist,she create the first female storyteller Shuyu(书寓) or Shuchang(书场), further expanding the social influence of pingtan(评弹).Yang Cuixi(杨翠喜) is an Hebei Bangzi(河北梆子) and Peking Opera actress,she is also a Geji.Yang Cuixi was one of the first actresses in China to start performing Peking Opera.

References

Text submitted to CC-BY-SA license. Source: Gējì by Wikipedia (Historical)

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