You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
hästi üllatav ja tore autobiograafia! küll oli iwasaki elus hetki, millest oli raske lugeda, aga palju monumentaalseid huvitavaid seiku. väga inspireeriv ja huvitav inimene. samuti meeldis mulle näha, kuidas iwasaki elu päriselt erines arthur golden'i "geisha memuaaridest", sest et see oli ikkagi üsna teistsugune. hea, et ma lõpuks ikkagi jõudsin selle teoseni ning ei lasknud sellel enda riiulil veel seitse aastat seista :)
In terms of knowledge and explanation of the ukiyo-e world and geisha tradition, this book excels. In fact, I'd say it's an important book in the field. However, my feelings about Iwasaki are conflicted. At one point she says that she worked 24/365, then talks about jetting off with her actor boyfriend once she became a geiko. At another, she discusses her strong commitment to the arts and improving the geiko tradition, but quits at the age of 29, and sells the okiya to which she was an atotori. It seemed like one big humble brag at times, and then at others, it was genuinely compelling. I'd say it's worth a read, but comes off a bit disingenuous.
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Refined, wise and simply wonderful book about Mineko Iwasaki's life as an artist and its learning. She answered most every question I have, clarifies what it really means to be a geisha answering many questions a western audience probably has (sex, money, lifestyle rules) but also details the minutia that goes into every detail of her appearances. From her outfits, makeup and hair to the ethics of her profession. She blasts through every cliché.
The author is so strong to have gone through all this with such grace. It's truly impressive to me. Contrarily to what I've read in others reviews I think she stays humble. Sure she namesdrop a bit, but after all not every Geisha reached such a level of fame, she is aware of that and doesn't shy away from telling it as it was but also candidly shares some of her own failures along the way, moments of anger and sadness and fragility.
The writing itself is elegant and accessible. I would really recommend this book to anyone who wants to get a glimpse into the Japan of another era, it's made me eager to learn more on the subject.
PS: I don't want to make this the main point of my review but I just want to point out that Mineko is the woman who inspired the infamous "Memoirs of a Geisha" by Arthur Golden. The man stole the story and very inacurately and inapropriately fictionalised it in the most offensive way possible and reading the true thing made me incredibly mad once again. Golden, what a piece of shit you are.. It has really highlighted for me how perverted and westernised his view of Geishas and japanese women in general is, absolutely disgusting. Anyway this is a friendly reminder to skip his papertrash, go for truth, own voices and badassery with this book instead!
The author is so strong to have gone through all this with such grace. It's truly impressive to me. Contrarily to what I've read in others reviews I think she stays humble. Sure she namesdrop a bit, but after all not every Geisha reached such a level of fame, she is aware of that and doesn't shy away from telling it as it was but also candidly shares some of her own failures along the way, moments of anger and sadness and fragility.
The writing itself is elegant and accessible. I would really recommend this book to anyone who wants to get a glimpse into the Japan of another era, it's made me eager to learn more on the subject.
PS: I don't want to make this the main point of my review but I just want to point out that Mineko is the woman who inspired the infamous "Memoirs of a Geisha" by Arthur Golden. The man stole the story and very inacurately and inapropriately fictionalised it in the most offensive way possible and reading the true thing made me incredibly mad once again. Golden, what a piece of shit you are.. It has really highlighted for me how perverted and westernised his view of Geishas and japanese women in general is, absolutely disgusting. Anyway this is a friendly reminder to skip his papertrash, go for truth, own voices and badassery with this book instead!
Have you ever listened to someone deny doing something so adamantly that they convince you they totally did it?
An interesting story that took me a little to get into (the portion of how she joined the geiko house was a little tedious, and not so believable - she joined when she was 5, her own choice, and remembers things from when she was 3 -- I know this is possible, but it didn't feel real to me) -- once she was at the house though, I was intrigued, and Mineko Iwasaki has had a very interesting life.
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
I loved this book so much that I’m writing this review at 1:30 in the morning.
When I learned that Memoirs of a Geisha was full of lies and stereotypes, and that this book showed the actual account of geisha life, I added this book to my to reads. But it’s more than just informative—Mineko Iwasaki has lived an amazing life, and her fiery and strong personality jump off the page.
It astounds me that Memoirs of a Geisha would make up so much bull when the truth is even more fascinating. This book made me laugh out loud and it moved me. God what a great book!!
When I learned that Memoirs of a Geisha was full of lies and stereotypes, and that this book showed the actual account of geisha life, I added this book to my to reads. But it’s more than just informative—Mineko Iwasaki has lived an amazing life, and her fiery and strong personality jump off the page.
It astounds me that Memoirs of a Geisha would make up so much bull when the truth is even more fascinating. This book made me laugh out loud and it moved me. God what a great book!!
A loan from Grayson - I wasn't expecting much. I've never been much into biographies, geishas, or Japanese culture. I kind of only read it for her sake and took months to get around to it. It was surprisingly interesting.
The author was extra proud/arrogant and loved talking about how much she thought of herself and was often an ass to others. However - she was raised by an appearance & talent based business who aggressively recruited her from a young age. The precocious child with a good memory I can believe. The reason she was the #1 geiko seemed to be a result of collecting the most appointments, never turning them down, and practicing in spare time. She often had triple the engagements, which is triple pay and tips, and geiko rankings were based on wages. She also got tricked into a commercial and had a picture published without consent and thus became the poster girl for the industry. It was hard to tell how actually good she was, but it was clear that she worked hard to become the best.
The author was extra proud/arrogant and loved talking about how much she thought of herself and was often an ass to others. However - she was raised by an appearance & talent based business who aggressively recruited her from a young age. The precocious child with a good memory I can believe. The reason she was the #1 geiko seemed to be a result of collecting the most appointments, never turning them down, and practicing in spare time. She often had triple the engagements, which is triple pay and tips, and geiko rankings were based on wages. She also got tricked into a commercial and had a picture published without consent and thus became the poster girl for the industry. It was hard to tell how actually good she was, but it was clear that she worked hard to become the best.
Full disclosure I loved the book Memoirs of a Geisha. I ate it all up. Asian story lines marketed to white people are something I love to read because it allows me a chance to connect with a part of me that is there but also not there. As well, the story was well written and captivating. It probably plays a little too much of exotic notes and the western obsession of Asian women (especially something that is linked to sexuality). Anyways, after reading and reading that book a hundred times I learned it was actually bs. The story was stolen from Mineko Iwasaki and used without her permission. It was exaggerated for that exact reason of exotic-ness and sexuality and consumerism. The man who wrote Memoirs of a Geisha is a literal d-bag. So I decided the best thing to do was to buy and read the real story. This book was not the same story as memoirs of a geisha, it was not as exciting and dramatic and picture perfect. That is because it is real. It was written by an actual Asian woman who was a geisha. While I can’t remember the exact details I do remember it was a good book and therefore please read this instead of the bs other book. Stories about people of colours lives should be written by people of colour and at a bare minimum consentually obtained.