During the Edo Period (1615-1863), when Japan cut itself off from the wider world, only Chinese and Dutch traders were allowed into the country.

ECONOMIST: Japanese art

The origins of today's geisha (geiko and maiko) can be traced back to the Edo Period (1600-1868), although they became most popular during the Taisho Period (1912-1926).

BBC: Kyoto's living art of the geisha