What does it mean to be a geisha? How does someone become one? And how do they differ from sex workers?

The geisha world is famously very secretive and private, and taking us into it today is Lesley Downer, who spent years befriending geishas in research for her book Geisha: The Secret History of a Vanishing World.

This episode was edited by Tom Delargy and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer is Charlotte Long.

Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code BETWIXT sign up at https://historyhit/subscription/

You can take part in our listener survey here.

Rss Apple Podcaster
Podden och tillhörande omslagsbild på den här sidan tillhör History Hit. Innehållet i podden är skapat av History Hit och inte av, eller tillsammans med, Poddtoppen.