Geisha, A Life

The Barnes & Noble ReviewThe geisha has long been a mystery to those in the West. In her compelling memoir, Mineko, often called the best geisha of her generation, reveals the secretive world that inspired a bestselling fictional counterpart, Arthur Golden’s bestselling .Mineko’s remarkable story dispels Western myths about the geisha as prostitute and describes a demanding life as a highly trained artist. With an even and objective voice, she tells of leaving home at the age of four to enter a geisha house. Here, Mineko made her fame and fortune as a dancer. Appearing and entertaining at as many as ten parties an evening, she would dance for ten minutes at each and earn tens of thousands of dollars for the night’s work. Mineko also covers the importance of appearance, describing the elements of beauty, including the kimono. These garments were a special — and costly — part of a geisha’s appearance, and could only be worn a few times.In Geisha, Mineko Iwasaki leads us through a fascinating profession. While a glossary of Japanese terms would have been helpful, nothing detracts from this powerful and intimate glimpse into a mysterious world.This is a fantastic book that will enthrall its readers. Glenn Speer