Geisha: A Life

by Mineko Iwasaki

Book Overview

No woman in the three-hundred-year history of the karyukai has ever come forward in public to tell her story--until now.

"Many say I was the best geisha of my generation," writes Mineko Iwasaki. "And yet, it was a life that I found too constricting to continue. And one that I ultimately had to leave." Trained to become a geisha from the age of five, Iwasaki would live among the other "women of art" in Kyoto's Gion Kobu district and practice...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743444299
• ISBN13: 9780743444293
• Release Date: September 2003
• Publisher: Atria Books
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.69 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.3" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

A Delight to Read

This is easily one of my favorite books. I picked up this book wanting to learn more about geishas. I had a feeling that this book would be immensely interesting to me. It did not disappoint. In fact, it turned out to be much more interesting than I had anticipated. From the very beginning where Mineko describes her childhood, I could tell that she probably has an Autistic Spectrum Disorder. As someone with Asperger's Syndrome (a ASD), I was struck by this every time Mineko spoke very bluntly or described the rigid routine of her walk to and from her dance classes (get a treat from a shop-keeper, pet a dog, feed the dog, etc. every single day). Often I would read something that she did, said, or thought and see myself (or someone very similar) staring back at me. It was fascinating to see someone like me flourish so well in such a aesthetic and social profession.

Geishas: The lowdown

It's unfair to compare this book to "Memoirs of a Geisha." Yes, Mineko Iwasaki was interviewed by Arthur Golden when he was working on his best-selling book, but "Memoirs of a Geisha" is a work of fiction. It's a fantastic book in its own right, but many of its depictions of life as a geisha are said to be very inaccurate. That's one of the reasons Iwasaki decided to write "Geisha: A Life." She wanted to set the record straight. "Geisha: A Life" is the true story of Iwasaki's illustrious career as Japan's number one geiko. At the age of five, Iwasaki began training at an okiya in the Gion district of Kyoto. She was later adopted by the okiya's owner and named as its eventual successor. Iwasaki worked tirelessly to perfect her craft and went through a lot of difficult times. She eventually grew frustrated by the limitations of her career and retired at the age of 29 so that she could raise a family and follow her own dreams. This book is full of many details regarding the everyday life of geishas. I can see why some fans of "Memoirs of a Geisha" are disappointed because this book is a lot more straightforward and technical than Gordon's novel. However, Iwasaki's story does not lack emotion or passion. Iwasaki is open and honest about many unpleasant experiences in her life: being separated from her parents, surviving an attempted rape by her nephew, etc. I guess those things don't even begin to compare to what the character of Sayuri endures in "Memoirs of a Geisha," but once again, Sayuri is a FICTIONAL CHARACTER! I don't understand how people can compare her and Iwasaki. Sayuri isn't real! End of story. I've always been fascinated by the geisha tradition, and I loved this book because it sheds so much more insight into this mysterious and often misrepresented way of life. Iwasaki's story is amazing, and I'm glad she chose to share it with the world.

A Geisha's Life Revealed...

I'm half Japanese and grew up in Japan. In order to appreciate this book, you must have an understanding of the Japanese culture. It's not fair to compare this book to "Memoirs of a Geisha" which is completely fiction and written by an American. In the Japanese culture, a Geisha's life has always remained under a cloud of mystery and secrecy. For a Geisha to reveal any part of her life is strictly forbidden and considered taboo. Many Japanese still do not know much about a Geisha's life even though the tradtion has been around for centuries. What we know is based on assumptions or what our grandmothers have whispered to us. When Mineko Iwasaki wrote this, it became controversal in Japan and had many Kyoto Geisha houses angry with her. When the Japanese media contacted Geisha houses for interviews or comments, they were met with a wall of silence. If you decide to read this book, look at it like you're peeking into another country's culture. Remember the Geisha has been around for hundreds and hundreds of years, since the samurai days. For a tradtion to survive this long must say something about how tradtions are kept for other generations to see and not just read about in a history book. I don't want to give out much about the book, but if you want a better understanding of a tradtion that has been kept alive for centuries and if you want a glimpse into the Japanese culture, give this book a read. The book flows and the author has a way of writing that draws the reader into her life.

This is the real deal folks.

To add to the previous review... Ms. Iwasaki just won litigation against Mr. Golden for slander and defamation. This book is her true autobiograghy, and while Mr. Golden's work is an entertaining story, it should be remembered that in the end it hurt this woman, who is a living, breathing work of art.

We sell art, not bodies

This autobiography gives us not only an insight into the education, the working conditions and the social status of a geisha, but also into the Japanese society as a whole.To give a few examples: selling children for sex slavery became forbidden only in the year 1959, or, the existing extreme differences in wealth (some people could pay nearly every day extremely expensive geisha parties, while poor people were forced to abandon their children).Besides more personal intimate confidences, the author sketches a good picture of the hardship (sometimes only one hour sleep per night) of the education and the working conditions, the extreme jealousy and fierce competition inside the geisha guild, the sexual morals (allowance of extramarital relationships) and the colossal sums involved in the geisha business.Not to be missed by the Japan aficionados.I should also recommend the works of Ian Buruma, Lisa Louis and Nicholas Bornoff for a broader perspective on the Japanese entertainment culture.

A very very nice book

Having had my first taste of the intriguing life of Geisha with Memiors of a Geisha, I didn't hesitate to read this book about the exquisite & foreign life. An added bonus, it's a true story with photographs. Mineka was born Masako & at the age of five was adopted by the house of Iwasaki to become the Atotori or heiress of the house, whose fortune was in its collection of expensive Kimono & accessories. The writer takes us through her journey from the first time she met with the owner of the Okiya or Geisha house till she stood in court & told the judge that she of her own free will wishes to be adopted by the Iwasaki family. She loved to dance & it was for dancing that she endured the strict life & rules of the Geisha world. A shy person by nature she marvels at the fate that brought her into a profession where her duty is to entertain people by witty conversation & try & bring them out & ensure they have a good time. She explains the misconceptions her world suffers, they are not prostitutes & they entertain women & men alike holding Ozashiki or banquets. Men aren't allowed in their houses & it is a strict society where reputation is everything. I found it wonderfully enchanting & couldn't put it down before the end, a really wonderful book.