Japan, circa 1880
Unidentified

Trained in music, dance, social graces and numerous other aspects of cultivated Japanese society, geisha (literally translated as “person of the arts”) have been performing in the teahouses of Japan since the precepts of geisha culture were established in the 18th century. This photograph, taken by an as of yet unidentified photographer, shows two geisha refining their musical skills; one playing the traditional Japanese instrument the samisen and the other playing the koto.