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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
The culture Iwasaki reveals is more than enough for me to give her a pass on the somewhat stilted writing - she isn't an author by trade, after all.
I especially enjoy the fact that she pretty much wrote this as a big "fuck you" to Arthur Golden, who ignored her request for anonymity when she helped him with Memoirs of a Geisha; it's worth noting that Golden also misrepresented many facts about the life of geisha in general.
I could not handle such a career - the lack of good sleep for such a long period alone is enough to make me cringe sympathy.
I especially enjoy the fact that she pretty much wrote this as a big "fuck you" to Arthur Golden, who ignored her request for anonymity when she helped him with Memoirs of a Geisha; it's worth noting that Golden also misrepresented many facts about the life of geisha in general.
I could not handle such a career - the lack of good sleep for such a long period alone is enough to make me cringe sympathy.
I really enjoyed this book, especially after having read Memoirs of a Geisha. It felt much more authentic as Iwasaki tried to subtly clear up the untrue parts of Arthur Golden's book (the mizuage in particular). I would have preferred more photos but overall found this to be a fascinating insight into a dying artform.
I would give this a 3.5 if I could, but I'd rather round up than down. The structure of presentation for all the information about Mineko's life is strange. I wonder if some of this is a matter of translation or interview in how it was collected. I was also left wishing more of the middle of the book focused specifically on the aspects of karyukai that she attempted to resist, but I suppose that may have been a less honest account. Regardless, I'm also firmly going with 4 stars because I think it's worth the read despite its peculiarities.
I'm shelving this book for now, just because it was...sad. I've been struggling more and more to read books where the subject has a lack of agency, it just makes me feel discouraged. Since this is an autobio, I know it is no fault of the writer in prose or in practice. I'll return to it at another time!
Enjoyable and very dishy *and* full of sociological/historical information from a biographical perspective. One gets the impression that Mineko did not have a typical experience but entertaining to read about.
A fantastic book that signs light over what it really is/was like being a person in the world of geisha. Felt like someone (Mineko) was telling me the story rather than just me reading it. Explains the nuances and meanings of the Japanese language with the story so that it feels natural. Loved Mineko and the way she tells her story as well as the emotions which she has felt and is feeling. Inspiring! This book is a very quick read...
Mineko Iwasaki takes you on into her world with her autobiography. In this book you'll learn about some japanese costums, what the world of the geisha (or geiko, as in this book) is like and how it is organized. You'll see how something that is normal for us can be viewed as un-normal or unwanted in this culture (like, signing a fan is not a good thing to do, as the geisha needs it for her performance). Mineko Iwasaki might come off to some people as being on a high horse or arrogant or anything like that, but in truth she is a proud woman who doesn't hide the pride over her accomplishements. In this book she will tell you about the hard work she invested to become a legend among the geishas. This book also contains some photographs printed on special paper.
If you like reading about women being in charge and about japanese culture and don't mind that it's a woman who's proud of herself telling the story, then this book is for you.
If you like reading about women being in charge and about japanese culture and don't mind that it's a woman who's proud of herself telling the story, then this book is for you.