Book details
Memoirs of a Geisha
by Arthur Golden
1997 · Random House Large Print
About the book
Sold by her father in the 1930s, nine-year-old Chiyo enters an okiya in Kyoto’s Gion district to work as a servant. After a series of failures and a bitter rivalry with the established geisha Hatsumomo, Chiyo eventually trains under Mameha, a renowned mentor. She adopts the name Sayuri and masters traditional dance, music, and the art of conversation to secure a wealthy patron. The narrative follows her social ascent against the backdrop of Japanese militarism, the deprivations of World War II, and the subsequent American occupation.
Readers interested in the history of pre-war Japan choose this book to learn about the strict hierarchies and social customs governing the karyukai, or flower and willow world. It serves those curious about the physical and technical demands of the profession, from kimono styling to shamisen performance. People finish the text with a detailed understanding of how a woman in this restricted society managed her finances and social standing to influence powerful political and business leaders.
Details
- Published
- 1997
- Publisher
- Random House Large Print
- ISBN
- 9780739326220
- Language
- EN