'I can identify the exact moment when things began to change. It was a cold winter afternoon. I had just turned three.' Emerging shyly from her hiding place, Mineko encounters Madam Oima, the formidable proprietress of a prolific geisha house in Gion. Madam Oima is mesmerized by the child's black hair and black eyes: she has found her successor. And so Mineko is gently, but firmly, prised away from her parents to embark on an extraordinary career, of which she will become the best. But even if you are exquisitely beautiful and the darling of the okiya, the life of a geisha is one of gruelling professional demands. And Mineko must first contend with her bitterly jealous sister who is determined to sabotage her success ...Captivating and poignant, GEISHA OF GION tells of Mineko's ascendancy to fame and her ultimate decision to leave the profession she found so constricting.
Geisha Of Gion
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Review
'A fascinating account ... Her storytelling is charming' -- Big Issue
'A glimpse into the exotic, mysterious, tinged-with-eroticism world of the almost mythical geisha' -- Daily Mail
'Eloquent and innovative ... It should be received with nothing but respect' -- The Times
'Honest and authentic' -- Adeline Yen Mah, author of FALLING LEAVES
'This beautifully written book gives a truly fascinating insight into a secretive world' -- Company Magazine --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
'A glimpse into the exotic, mysterious, tinged-with-eroticism world of the almost mythical geisha' -- Daily Mail
'Eloquent and innovative ... It should be received with nothing but respect' -- The Times
'Honest and authentic' -- Adeline Yen Mah, author of FALLING LEAVES
'This beautifully written book gives a truly fascinating insight into a secretive world' -- Company Magazine --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
MINEKO reached the peak of her career as a geisha in the 70s and 80s, performing for the likes of the Queen and Prince Charles. Now fifty-two years old (and still stunningly beautiful), she is the mother of one daughter and lives with her husband in a suburb of Kyoto, Japan.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
40 of 41 people found the following review helpful
By Soraya
Format:Hardcover
After reading "Memoirs of a Geisha" i was really hungry for more literature about this fascinating world and i picked the right book. Ms Iwasaki's story is truly interesting and offers an amazing inisght into the REAL world of the geisha. The details are so fine and exquisite that you really dont want to tear yourself away from this world. It also cleared up a lot of misconceptions that "Memoirs of a Geisha" presented. The latter text relates of a practice called the "mizauge" in which a young geisha offers her virginity to a patron (who has paid for the privilege). Ms Iwasaki clears this up and points out that it was NOT a part of her experience as a Geisha and that the practice belongs to another group. The only criticism i would have is that Ms Iwasaki tends to come accross as a little arrogant and presumtious sometimes (e.g the time she believes she caused the Queen and Prince Phillip to sleep in separate beds!). But other than that, this book is truly MARVELLOUS!
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By Reader
Format:Paperback
I've read the reviews below and think some people have missed the point a little; yes, it's true Mineko can come across as being up herself but in reality she's just very factual, as is the style in Japan. She could easily be discussing someone else's life rather than her own. It's a fasinating book which reveals tons about the kind of life Geisha's have and how much hard work it is. I would highly recommend it - more so than Memoirs of a Geisha.
Read it and be your own judge.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By J. Kisseih
Format:Paperback
Beautifully written and a book you can't put down (even though Mineko comes across as a little full of herself at times). It really goes into detail as regards the life of a Geisha (which essentially seems to be to entertain men albeit in a refined way).
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By AP
Format:Paperback
I agree with the last reviewer. I didn't see Mineko as arrogant but as a product of the Geisha society. How could anyone expect her to be anything other than she is? The fascinating thing for me about this book is the honesty. From a woman who has been 'trained' from a early childhood to be secretive and follow tradition without question, who excells in everything she does and is put on a pedestal, it's an amazing story of a strong minded thinker who uses the single mindedness and strength instilled in her against the very people who try to control her and others like her. It also answered questions about the geisha tradition, a beautiful but sometimes harsh world that we would never normally hear about from this angle.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I have never really got into biographys until now, and this is probably the one that got me into them. This book is full of suprises and feelings that are undescrible like the feeling of betrayal and heartbreak. This book got it all in one. It also explains the dress of a Geisha perfectly to a stranger such as me can understand. Read it, love it, treasure it.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Ariana
Format:Paperback
This book was an insightful look into the world of Geisha from the viewpoint of one of it's own (normally close mouthed) people. You really relate to Mineko and her story. A great look at how people react to others within the Flower and Willow world of Kyoto. Also relates the authors own struggles with the education system within the Karyukai. Highly reccommended for anyone intrested in Geisha and their community.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By Alan Nixon
Format:Paperback
I read this book about a year ago, unaware of the "Memoirs of a Geisha" book and subsequent film, which I became aware of as Zhang ZiYi (who stars in it) is a favourite actress.
I had always understood that Geisha (or Geiko) were not the same as other 'ladies of the floating world', but I had no idea that they trained for so long, so hard, and that the clothes were changed for each season, and cost so very much.
I got the impression that Geisha were patronised much as famous artists are now. People appreciate the artistic quality, but only pay so very much for the best to show others that they can.
I am glad I read this book BEFORE I saw the dramatisation. My only criticism is that one is left wanting to know even more, especially about her later life.
I enjoyed the descriptions of each aspect of the life and preparations, the language and customs.
I would recommend this book to people interested in knowing the real story (or at least, the real story of a most prominent Geisha).
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
After reading both 'Memoirs of a Geisha' by Arthur Golden, and 'Geisha' by Liza Dalby, I was pleased to find this book as good. The prose flows well and captures the interest, and the photos add an element which was lacking in the other books I have mentioned (although 'Geisha' contained photos, I did not think they were as good, being black and white).
The story is interesting, and Mineko is a good story-teller, with each sentence being complete in itself. However, I would agree with other reviewers, as I also thought that Mineko sounded at times arrogant, and seemed to exude an air of superiority over those around her.
Overall, this book is excellent, and has the notable advantage over 'Memoirs of a Geisha' of being a true story.
The story is interesting, and Mineko is a good story-teller, with each sentence being complete in itself. However, I would agree with other reviewers, as I also thought that Mineko sounded at times arrogant, and seemed to exude an air of superiority over those around her.
Overall, this book is excellent, and has the notable advantage over 'Memoirs of a Geisha' of being a true story.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great,
Really enjoyed reading as am very interested in ancient cultural history of Japan,and this was full of knowledge . Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mrs. Marion Elder
4.0 out of 5 stars
dispel all theories about Geishas
This is an easy book to read once you get the hang of the Japanese words. Very interesting story of how Geishas live
Published 2 months ago by Mrs. M. Wallace
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great.
I was into this book and could not put it down, I found it informative and interesting.
Loved the read
Loved the read
Published 3 months ago by babes
4.0 out of 5 stars
Deceptively descriptive
Thoroughly enjoyable, I zipped through at quite a pace.
Wonderfully descriptive, the transition these beautiful girls go through mirrors Japan itself.
Wonderfully descriptive, the transition these beautiful girls go through mirrors Japan itself.
Published 4 months ago by MRS K L BRYAN
3.0 out of 5 stars
big john's mistress
Although Mineko Iwasaki was the self proclaimed 'number one' geisha during her career, her rather high handed approach to the writing of her memoir can be a little wearing at... Read more
Published 5 months ago by thetruthshallsetyefree
4.0 out of 5 stars
Recommended Seller
Delivery was very quick, within a few days, and I had no problems with this item.
I can't comment on the content of the book as it was bought as a present.
I can't comment on the content of the book as it was bought as a present.
Published 10 months ago by Kieran
4.0 out of 5 stars
A lovely story
I enjoyed this book even though it took a while to get into. I felt it could have benefited from including a glossary of Japanese words. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Chrissie
5.0 out of 5 stars
The real Sayuri
I read this book many years ago, but for some reason I never got around to reviewing it. This is despite the fact it has to be one of the most important works on geisha that has... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Trevelyan
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating insight
I already read, and liked, "Geisha", which is said to be inspired by this geiko's story, and thought this book would be similar. It is not. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Eirin Mikalsen Orum
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating insight into the geiko world
I lived in Japan for a year and just love reading about anything related to the place and its people. Read more
Published 23 months ago by nipponchica
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