After World War II, this way of life became obsolete because the Japanese society came more and more under the influence of foreign currents and especially the young were ready to accept new values that were not harmonising with the whole concept of geisha. They still exist and perform in Japan today, but are not a way of life anymore. They are preservers of traditions and of an ancient culture that valued time, simplicity, the supremacy of powerful wealthy men, art in its most refined forms and viewed sex as another art form and not the goal but the means.

Madame Sadayakko. Gotham Books. New York. 2003.
Iwasaki, Mineko. Geisha: A Life. Atria Books. New York. 2002

Stages of Geisha's Working Life. Retrieved: Mar. 8, 2008. Available at http://www.whatever.net.au/~amaya/geisha/stages.htm