Geji

'singer-performer') were female Chinese performing artists and courtesans who trained in singing and dancing in ancient China.

Some geji contributed to the development of dance, poetry, painting and other arts and literature throughout China's history.

[6][7] Geji were primarily pursued for their artistic talents in singing, dancing, and literary arts; they also sometimes provided sexual services to their clients.

[12][13] During the Ming Dynasty, the talents of courtesans such as geji were widely cultivated to distinguish them more heavily from common prostitutes.

This development coincided with a general increase in wealth during the Ming Dynasty which allowed even men of low social standing to engage with common prostitutes, prompting men of high-status to cultivate and seek out courtesans for cultural capital.