The International Courtesan Guild
From Changeling Venue
The Oiran having remained hidden for centuries have remained somewhat hidden in modern day as The International Courtesan Guild. This Guild is almost completely made up of Changeling, and exist in every court. These members once again using the term Oiran, establish Houses throughout the world to train its members. The Oiran establish their own laws and rules. The law states that an Oiran or Courtesan is free to choose her clients. Originally a female organization, the Guild has since allowed males to enter. The men undergo the same training as the women and, like the women, they service both sexes. The Houses exist to provide training to the Oiran. No work is ever done inside a House.
Girls and boys as young as 15 may begin training, however those with exceptional talent may apply to a House at any time in their lives. The training which includes first and foremost the ability to blend in and pass unnoticed a well-rounded education and years of physical discipline, religious study, and the arts are learned by all. Girls and boys are taught dance, martial arts, calligraphy, how to play musical instruments, and singing. The undergo rigorous testing on all subjects, and those who fail are expelled. They are taught the art of love play only upon successful completion of their schooling at 18 years of age.
Oiran must pass a test in order to gain registration. To maintain that registration, they must also pass a yearly physical evaluation conducted at a licensed hospital.
Clients must pay a subscription fee, submit to the strictist of background checks, submit to health examination conducted by Guild medical specialists, must be recommended by a member in good standing, to earn a place in the client registry. The Guild and the Oiran must approve of the client. If a client ever mistreats an Oiran, that client will be black listed, preventing him or her from ever securing such services again.
An Oiran House is run much like a monastery, protecting its inhabitants and sheltering them from the outside as they undergo their training. The services an Oiran performs for the client are steeped in tradition and ritual. An Oiran greets a client and bids that client farewell with ceremony, and the act of lovemaking is designed to make each client feel that he or she is special and valued - only one of the reasons an evening with a Companion is so highly sought after.
Contracting with an Oiran earns the client 'an evening of pleasure' that goes far beyond a possible sexual encounter. An Oiran is trained to listen, to entertain, to soothe, and even to offer advice, for they are well-versed on any variety of subjects from politics to the economy. An Oiran knows traditional and contemporary dance. They are skilled musicians, schooled in literature, and stay current with all significant newsworthy events. They have a high degree of empathy and are trained in psychology, so they can understand their client's needs.
The beauty, elegance, and skills of the Oiran are earning them the highest respect in certain social circles. There is no stigma to bringing an Oiran to a party, as doing so proves you have both money and the ability to impress the Guild, whose members set very high standards. It is not commonly known who is an Oiran, and who isn't. While of the social elite, Oiran still exist outside society. Though an Oiran is welcomed as an escort at a party, an Oiran would not be so well-received as husband or wife. An Oiran might commit to an exclusive, long-term contract, but that would still be a business arrangement. An Oiran is encouraged to enjoy the work, but is taught to stay emotionally detached from the clientele.
Most Oiran work in their core Freeholds and Regions, entertaining clients in their own suites or meeting them elsewhere. Some choose to travel and may contract with other Freeholds and Regions.
House Sakura is one of the strongest Houses to emerge in recent times and is home to one of the greatest Tayu amongst the Lost.
