Yiji

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A yiji (simplified Chinese: 艺妓; traditional Chinese: 藝妓) was a high-class courtesan in ancient China.[1][2][3]

Yiji were initially not involved in the direct sex trade, but was rather an entertainer performed music and arts, such as poetry, music and singing,[3][4] to please dignitaries and intellectuals.[1][2] They were respected and renowned for their art and education in the classics,[4] and were hired to perform to both male and female clients, as well as employed by the state.[1] Though yiji could in individual cases choose to sell sexual favors to a client, this was not a part of her profession as a yiji, but a parallel favor outside of their profession as a yiji and regarded as separated from it.[1][2]

After the establishment of the Qing dynasty in 1644, however, the Yiji was banned from being employed by the state.[1] This made them dependent of the patronage of private clients, which resulted in the development of the profession to prostitution,[3] as male clients started to demand sexual favors in exchange for patronage.[1][2]

A yiji could come from various backgrounds, but a common background was that of a slave girl in a brothel: the girl was then taken from the brothel and educated in the arts of being a courtesan.[1] The yiji could earn substantial fortunes, however, they were often caught in debt to former associates and, as they lacked families, were often exposed to ruinous lawsuits.[1] When the yiji retired, she often educated her own daughter to be her successor, or selected a student to be so.[1]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Precious Records: Women in China's Long Eighteenth Century
  2. ^ a b c d Ward, Jean Elizabeth (June 27, 2008). Li Qingzhao: an Homage to. Lulu.com. p. 108. ISBN 978-1435715134.
  3. ^ a b c "The Willow and the Flower". Temple Illuminatus. 4 February 2013. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  4. ^ a b Harris, Rachel; Pease, Rowan; Tan, Shzr Ee (2013). Gender in Chinese music. Rochester, NY: Univ. of Rochester Press. p. 67. ISBN 978-1580464437.


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