Though Dalby was fluent in Japanese and skilled at playing the , she performed at geisha parties and banquets, collectively referred to as , in an unofficial capacity, having never undergone the rites of debuting as a geisha due to the temporary nature of her stay in Japan. As such, she was not paid for her performances, though guests and various geisha "mothers" within the community would not uncommonly give her a tip for her time. Though Dalby's experience of geisha society was conducted for academic purposes, Dalby formed strong friendships and relationships with geisha in both Kyoto and Tokyo, and came to be regarded as talented in the skills required to be a geisha: