WSada Abe was a Japanese geisha and prostitute who murdered her lover, Kichizō Ishida , via erotic asphyxiation on May 18, 1936, before cutting off his penis and testicles and carrying them around with her in her kimono. The story became a national sensation in Japan, acquiring mythic overtones, and has been interpreted by artists, philosophers, novelists and filmmakers. Abe was released after serving five years in prison and went on to write an autobiography.
WChen Tian (1900–1986), also known as Chen Jingwen, was a Taiwanese geisha and supporter of social movements in the Taiwanese resistance to Japanese rule. She was Chiang Wei-shui's concubine.
WFiona Caroline Graham is an Australian anthropologist working as a geisha in Japan. She made her debut as a geisha in 2007 in the Asakusa district of Tokyo under the name Sayuki (紗幸), and as of 2021 was working in the Fukagawa district of Tokyo.
WHanayo (花代), born Hanayo Nakajima , is a Japanese musician, photographer, and artist known for her playful and subversive artwork that is often rooted in Japanese culture. Hanayo currently lives and works in Japan.
WIchimaru (市丸), born Matsue Goto , was a popular Japanese recording artist and geisha. Her rivalry with another popular geisha singer, Katsutaro Kouta, created the "Katsu-Ichi Era" in Japanese music history.
WMineko Iwasaki , birthname Masako Tanaka , is a Japanese businesswoman, author and former geisha. Iwasaki was the most famous geisha in Japan until her sudden retirement at the age of 29. Known for her performances for celebrity and royalty during her geisha life, Iwasaki was the heir apparent to her geisha house while she was just a young apprentice.
WYuki Kato (加藤ユキ), also known as Morgan O-Yuki (モルガンお雪), was a Japanese geisha who married George Denison Morgan, nephew of Pierpont Morgan of the Morgan banking dynasty.
WKatsutaro Kouta was a Japanese female geisha and ryūkōka singer, who performed in the "New-Min'yō" style of singing. Kouta came to be most well known, alongside another popular geisha singer, Ichimaru, in the "Katsu-Ichi Era".
WShinbashi Kiyozō was a Japanese geisha and singer who also performed in a few films before World War II. Her most famous film was The Million Ryo Pot, which records not only her remarkable natural acting skill, but numerous songs she sang accompanied by a shamisen.
WChishō Takaoka was a geisha in Shinbashi who became a Buddhist nun later in life. Her stage name was Chiyoha (千代葉) or Teruha (照葉), while her real name was Tatsuko Takaoka (高岡たつ子). She became famous for her radiant beauty, and for chopping off one of her fingers for her lover. She was a popular model featured in postcards, and was known internationally as the "Nine-Fingered Geisha". She also inspired Jakucho Setouchi's novel, Jotoku.
WSada Yacco or Sadayakko was a Japanese geisha, actress and dancer.