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The image of a fully made-up geisha girl is one of the most common that Westerners have of Japan, yet few know much about the ancient custom and why geisha have been so important in preserving Japanese culture.

Fewer still know that the stereotypical image we have of geisha is wrong and that the white face make-up and elaborate wigs normally associated with geisha are in fact worn by apprentices known as maiko. Fully qualified and experienced geisha favour a more subtle look.

But by far the most common misconception we harbour about geisha (pronounced 'gay-sha') in the west is that they are prostitutes. The confusion arose because of a class of women known as oiran who adopted similar hairstyles, make-up and dress to geisha during the Edo period (1603-1868) but were not schooled in the arts like their more famous role models. The tell-tale difference between the two is that the oiran tied their obis (silk robes)) with a bow at the front while geisha always tie theirs at the back. There are still many girls who copy the geisha look for more sordid purposes but true geisha are not expected to have sexual relationship with their clients.

Surprisingly, the first geisha were actually men. Known as the Taikomochi, these men, like their later female counterparts, were expert musicians, dancers and amusing story-tellers who liked to touch upon taboo subjects. This lesser-known tradition still exists but there are now only a handful of Taikomochi still working in Japan.

The female geisha tradition we know today descended from the 16th century when Japanese emperors' employed concubines to entertain in their royal palaces. So the entertainment a geisha provides must truly be fit for an emperor.

The name itself means 'performing artist' or 'performer of arts' and derives from the fact that geisha need to be exquisitely skilled in a wide variety of Japanese arts including literature, classical music, dance and story-telling. These witty, free-spirited, independent and intelligent women are also trained to cater for every whim of a client and to massage their egos, making them feel like the most important person in the world. In short, they are the ideal companions who not only look stunning but have the intelligence to captivate their clients and make them feel extra special.

Such talents do not come cheap so it's unsurprising that geisha have traditionally entertained only the richest and most powerful clients over the years. Their reputation for secrecy is also highly valued by those seeking to strike big money or top secret deals while being entertained. In fact, discretion is so highly prized amongst the geisha community that if any girl breaks her silence, she is shunned and outcast.

A geisha's range of skills are acquired only with much diligence and study - a process which takes years. Training usually begins at a very young age and the first stage is known as shikomi. This consists of hard, often menial work, and long hours, both of which help instil discipline. Young girls often work as maids or assistants to experienced geisha during this part of their training.

After becoming proficient in the geisha arts and having passed a tough exam, girls enter the second stage of training during which they are known as minarai. They are now relieved of their housekeeping duties and begin to gain practical experience by accompanying experienced geishas on engagements. This brief stage usually only lasts for a month before the candidate enters the final and longest period of training as a maiko. This can last anything between six months and five years as the apprentice accompanies her geisha mentor (or 'oneesan') to many engagements and refines the required arts, speech patterns and mannerisms expected of her. Only after successfully completing this stage will an apprentice be given a new name and qualify as a geisha. She will remain so for the rest of her life with just one exception: Geisha are not permitted to marry. Those who do choose to wed must leave the profession.

There used to be a tradition of girls beginning their training at the age of six years, six months and six days, but women wishing to become geisha in the modern world often start their training at a much later date, even in adulthood, as fewer girls are now willing to commit themselves at an early age.

Modern geisha still live in traditional houses known as okiya which are situated in areas called hanamachi or 'flower towns.' Even more alluring is the name given to the refined, high culture world that geishas live in - this is known as karyukai or 'flower and willow world.'

Not surprisingly, given the inherent beauty and mystique of the subject matter, Hollywood has long been fascinated with the geisha tradition. The most recent movie about the custom was 2005's 'Memoirs of a Geisha' , based on the best-selling novel by Arthur Golden, but there have been many more including 'The Geisha House' (1999), 'American Geisha' (1986) and 'The World of Geisha' (1972). Several real-life geisha have told their stories in books too, with one of the most popular being 'Geisha of Gion: The Memoir of Mineko Iwasaki.'

The way of the geisha has been invaluable in keeping alive centuries-old traditions. Dance, music, literature and even dress codes have been handed down directly from generation to generation in an unbroken line for over 500 years and, as such, have remained authentic and relatively unchanged. Sadly, these 'keepers of the arts' are dwindling in numbers; only a handful of girls apply to become maikos each year now and even fewer make it all the way through training to become fully-fledged geishas.

Some believe the age of the geisha is coming to an end while others believe the self-reliance and intelligence of the girls which has kept the tradition alive for so many years will always find a means to continue the way of life. Let's hope this is the case, for it will be a sad day for Japan if her beautiful ancient customs are no longer learned, personified, and handed down to future generations by the unique and mysterious geisha girls.