During the Edo period, the area was part of the holdings of Tosa Domain ruled by the Yamauchi clan from their seat at Kōchi Castle.

The villages of Wajiki (和食村), Umanoue (馬ノ上村) and Nishibun (西分村) were established with the creation of the modern municipalities system on October 1, 1889.

Geisei has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral village council of five members.

In terms of national politics, the village is part of Kōchi 1st district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

The local economy is centered on horticulture and greenhouse farming, with commercial fishing and forestry playing a smaller roles.