DescriptionGesang School (i.e. kisaeng school).jpg
Collection: Willard Dickerman Straight and Early U.S.-Korea Diplomatic Relations, Cornell University Library
Title: Gesang School (i.e. kisaeng school)
Date: ca. 1904
Place: Asia: North Korea; Pyongyang
Type: Postcards/Ephemera
Description: Korean kisaengs, or singing girls, dressed up for singing and dancing. Korean kisaeng is special women's occupation that exists for helping parties enjoyable by singing and dancing. Their social position was among the lowest in the traditional Korean class system. Their daughters also became kisaengs and their sons became slaves. The art of entertaining of the kisaeng is analogous to Japanese geisha. These professional entertainers were highly trained in the arts of poetry, music, dance, and other forms of social or artistic diversion. The picture is somewhat curious. It was taken in front of a modern, western-style brick building, with a very peculiar Korean screen as the backdrop.
Inscription/Marks: Inscription in characters imprinted on image; pencilled inscription on verso: 'Gesang School'
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