Geisha: The Secret History of a Vanishing World
- ISBN-10
- 0747264260
- ISBN-13
- 9780747264262
- Series
- Geisha
- Category
- Geishas
- Pages
- 434
- Language
- English
- Published
- 2001
- Author
- Lesley Downer
Description
Ever since Westerners arrived in Japan, we have been intrigued by geisha. This fascination has spawned a wealth of fictional creations from Madame Butterfly to Arthur Golden's Memoirs of a Geisha. The reality of the geisha's existence has rarely been described. Contrary to popular opinion, geisha are not prostitutes but literally arts people. Their accomplishments might include singing, dancing or playing a musical instrument but, above all, they are masters of the art of conversation, soothing worries of highly paid businessmen who can afford their attentions. The real secret history of the geisha is explored here.
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Other editions
-
- 2008-12-10
- 392 pages
- Paperback
- Univ of California Press
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