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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
emotional
informative
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
informative
slow-paced
A fascinating view into the "Willow and Flower" world of the geisha by one of their own - the one who was the model for Golden's Memoirs of a Geisha novel
Really enjoyed this book. It's really informative and takes away a lot of the misconceptions surrounding the life of a geisha.
It really made me laugh in parts too, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in the culture of Japan.
It really made me laugh in parts too, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in the culture of Japan.
informative
slow-paced
I enjoyed this book. I almost quit near the beginning because I simply didn't find Iwasaki's childhood interesting, but I'm glad I persevered because I got an inside look into a top geiko's life, which is exactly what I was looking for. I loved reading Iwasaki's detailed descriptions of her outfits (how I would've enjoyed seeing pictures!), seeing what a top geiko's typical day looks like, and learning what exactly it is the Gion-Kobu maiko and geiko do for a living.
The English version of the book seriously needs more editing, though. There were a lot of glaring mistakes, such as:
"It was a complete breech of protocol."
"This was not the first time that Yaeko had flaunted the rules."
Also, they should stop promoting the book using this line: "No woman in the three-hundred-year history of the karyūkai has ever come forward in public to tell her story." It is simply untrue. Sayo Masuda's Autobiography of a Geisha was published 45 years before this one, although their accounts could not be any more different; Iwasaki lived a highly privileged life and it shows in her writing, while Masuda's life was full of hardship.
Finally, I wish they'd enlarged the photos at the end! It was a nice addition but most of the pictures were tiny.
The English version of the book seriously needs more editing, though. There were a lot of glaring mistakes, such as:
"It was a complete breech of protocol."
"This was not the first time that Yaeko had flaunted the rules."
Also, they should stop promoting the book using this line: "No woman in the three-hundred-year history of the karyūkai has ever come forward in public to tell her story." It is simply untrue. Sayo Masuda's Autobiography of a Geisha was published 45 years before this one, although their accounts could not be any more different; Iwasaki lived a highly privileged life and it shows in her writing, while Masuda's life was full of hardship.
Finally, I wish they'd enlarged the photos at the end! It was a nice addition but most of the pictures were tiny.
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
A gripping and detailed description of not just one extraordinary person's life, but also of a disappearing culture and all of it's art forms. Mineko speaks vividly and honestly, and she paints descriptions of the materials, locations, and people of her life in such a way that even I could visualize her words, which is generally not something I'm good at while reading.
Mineko was interviewed for Arthur Golding's "Memoirs of a Geisha," and she was so displeased with the result that she sued him, and then set out to write her own memoir to correct the record. She is willful, determined, self-assured in a way that shows as confidence, and she wanted to make sure that her reasons for leaving the industry so young, at 29, were accurately represented. She left not because she didn't like the art forms and work, but because the industry and cultural powers-that-be refused to allow for higher education, more individual rights, and modern support systems for women working in the Karyukai. While working as a geiko was always respected for art and intelligence, and the system of geisha and tea-houses created female-centric spaces, work, and support, and being a single mother inside of that system was not looked down on or punished, there remained many barriers to further education and success for the women entangled in the system.
Mineko's grief at the dying of this culture is palpable, and she believes that the art and mystery of geisha work and the Karyukai could be brought back to life if allowed to modernize in ways that support women's success and individual rights within the system.
Ultimately, I'll always enjoy the story of Memoirs of a Geisha, as it was a formative story for me and I've always found it beautiful, but if you enjoy that story I think you should definitely read Mineko's own words and history for a more full understanding of the culture and life that has inspired so many.
informative
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Honestly, while not my favorite book ever as it was quite dry the audiobook narrator really elevated it. I will never read Memoirs of a Geisha after reading this. Mineko Iwasaki gave what felt like an insider peek into the world of the geiko. Her writing wasn't super flowery nor exceptionally poetic but matter of fact. Instead, it felt like a geiko expert, which she is. Informative, immersion, and truly unknown to me, my anthropology brain loved it. I will say my one complaint was I wanted to hear more about her reasons for retiring early. I wanted a little mor of the politics and indepth discussion of her perspective and opinions, but I understand she is still part of that world and probably doesn't want to sever those ties. The reader definitely fit the vibes and I would recommend a listen to anyone who wants to actually know more about geisha (geiko) and the fascinating, complicated world they live in.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Probably would've enjoyed this if I was 15 - the age I was when this book originally came out.