Mizuage is the auctioning of a Geisha's
virginity. This is especially important when a
Geisha has a high-standing, for the funds gained by this procedure will allow her to pay back her
den-mother for services and materials rendered. Regardless of how this seems to us, this was not looked at as
prostitution in ancient Japan; a respectable Geisha would never agree to have
sex for money if only to maintain her high standing.
During the
bidding , all of the
contestants showered the Geisha with gifts as a sign of goodwill; the highest bidder also became sort of a
godfather to the Geisha. While the relationship after the
Mizuage was always disbanded, the client had earned himself a predominant position in the
ranks of a den's customers.