In this classic best seller, Liza Dalby, the first non-Japanese ever to have trained as a geisha, offers an insider's look at the exclusive world of female companions to the Japanese male elite. A new preface examines how geisha have been profoundly affected by the changes of the past quarter century yet--especially in Kyoto--have managed to take advantage of modern developments to maintain their social position with flair.
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"Provides an important window on the arts practiced by geisha, a history of their profession, and their reception in modern Japan through the mid-1970s."--Southeast Review of Asian Stds
From the Inside Flap
"Dalby knows more about the subject than I'll ever know, and she writes about it with grace and eloquence."--Arthur Golden, author of Memoirs of a Geisha
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
By Messallus
This is a top-notch anthological work. It is easy to read and Liza clearly enjoys what she is doing. She has included details that could not be found elsewhere. The pictures are good too. This is the 25th anniversary book and since the original publishing one of the six Geisha districts in Kyoto has disappeared.
Dalby attended parties and played the shamisen. She also wore a kimono, a geiko wig and makeup. It is a bit of a marketing scam to call her a Geisha. She never went through the formal processes of becoming a Geisha, which would take several years. She was not associated any okiya and clients were not billed for her attendance. A sports reporter does not become a professional ball player by conducting interviews in the locker room.
Dalby attended parties and played the shamisen. She also wore a kimono, a geiko wig and makeup. It is a bit of a marketing scam to call her a Geisha. She never went through the formal processes of becoming a Geisha, which would take several years. She was not associated any okiya and clients were not billed for her attendance. A sports reporter does not become a professional ball player by conducting interviews in the locker room.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.0 out of 5 stars
4 reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
They are disappearing rapidly
Jun 12 2011
By Messallus
- Published on Amazon.com
This is a very good anthological work. She has included details that could not be found elsewhere. The pictures are good too. Her writing style reminds me of a newspaper reporter.
This is the 25th anniversary book and since the original publishing one of the six Geisha districts in Kyoto has disappeared. In 1980 there was about 17,000 Geishas now there is less than 2,000. The Onsen Geishas at Atami have almost disappeared.
It's unfortunate that at the end of the book her ego takes over and she starts calling herself a Geisha. (She forgot she was writing a thesis) Dalby attended parties, played the shamisen, wore a kimono, a Geiko wig and makeup. She was never a Maiko nor went through the formal processes of becoming a Geisha, which would take several years. She was not associated any okiya. The Geishas were very generous and brought her along to the parties as their guest. A sports reporter does does not become a professional ball player by wearing a uniform and conducting interviews.
If you are fascinated by the Geisha world you will like this book.
This is the 25th anniversary book and since the original publishing one of the six Geisha districts in Kyoto has disappeared. In 1980 there was about 17,000 Geishas now there is less than 2,000. The Onsen Geishas at Atami have almost disappeared.
It's unfortunate that at the end of the book her ego takes over and she starts calling herself a Geisha. (She forgot she was writing a thesis) Dalby attended parties, played the shamisen, wore a kimono, a Geiko wig and makeup. She was never a Maiko nor went through the formal processes of becoming a Geisha, which would take several years. She was not associated any okiya. The Geishas were very generous and brought her along to the parties as their guest. A sports reporter does does not become a professional ball player by wearing a uniform and conducting interviews.
If you are fascinated by the Geisha world you will like this book.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Learning how Geisha live through becoming one
Mar 1 2012
By JoP
- Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase
In contrast to "Memoirs of a Geisha" by A. Golden, Liza Dalby lived for 14 months within Geisha communities and can provide a more authentic and broader view than beforementioned Golden, whose publication received a lot of critics by his geisha, who felt misunderstood in some aspects.
Whereas Golden has the view of a westerner on something exotic, Dalby interviewed geisha, ex-geisha, owners of geisha houses etc., worked as a Geisha and shows us the life from within the Japanese society.
I especially like how Dalby's research questions are often interwowen by funny anecdotes and stories not only of herself but the history of her trainers and Kyoto. The book is easy to read and hard to lay down after you started. What it means to be a geisha has a lot of answers, and this ethnography will challenge popular opinions like "they are playthings for men!" "Better prostitutes!" "Isolated and can't have their own will!".
The only drawback could be that Dalby's research took place in the mid-1970s, but the author explains what has changed since then and guides the reader well.
I hope you will enjoy this as much as I did.
Whereas Golden has the view of a westerner on something exotic, Dalby interviewed geisha, ex-geisha, owners of geisha houses etc., worked as a Geisha and shows us the life from within the Japanese society.
I especially like how Dalby's research questions are often interwowen by funny anecdotes and stories not only of herself but the history of her trainers and Kyoto. The book is easy to read and hard to lay down after you started. What it means to be a geisha has a lot of answers, and this ethnography will challenge popular opinions like "they are playthings for men!" "Better prostitutes!" "Isolated and can't have their own will!".
The only drawback could be that Dalby's research took place in the mid-1970s, but the author explains what has changed since then and guides the reader well.
I hope you will enjoy this as much as I did.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Geisha, 25th Anniversary Updated Edition
Oct 29 2011
By Mrs. Rios
- Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a great book to learn about the Geisha culture. I was interested in reading about Geisha after seeing the movie "Memoirs of a Geisha". Found out that an American, Lisa Dalby, had been trained as a Geisha and had written the book "Geisha" to share her experiences with us. It's a great book and anyone who thought Geisha are only glorified "women of the evening", are highly mistaken. I highly recommend this book!
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4.0 out of 5 stars
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