Raimund von Stillfried-Rathenitz; portrait of a young geisha with umbrella; albumin paper; black and white positive process; hand-colored; image size: height: 24;50 cm; width: 19;20 cm; inscribed: recto u. Mitte: in wei?einkopiert: 313; travel photography; portrait photography; young woman; girl; geisha means literally translated Person of the Arts Geishas are educated women who have been entertaining their mostly male society with dance; music and song as guests in tea houses since the 17th century. They are also engaged as waitresses at festivities. Visually; the geisha differs from the courtesan in details of her clothing; although in the photographic staging; little value was placed on the historically correct wardrobe. In the fantasy of the 19th century traveler; the artistry of the geisha is mixed with ideas of sexual availability. (Aya Fujita)