'I can identify the exact moment when things began to change. It was a cold winter afternoon. I had just turned three.' Emerging shyly from her hiding place, Mineko encounters Madam Oima, the formidable proprietress of a prolific geisha house in Gion. Madam Oima is mesmerized by the child's black hair and black eyes: she has found her successor. And so Mineko is gently, but firmly, prised away from her parents to embark on an extraordinary career, of which she will become the best. But even if you are exquisitely beautiful and the darling of the okiya, the life of a geisha is one of gruelling professional demands. And Mineko must first contend with her bitterly jealous sister who is determined to sabotage her success ...Captivating and poignant, GEISHA OF GION tells of Mineko's ascendancy to fame and her ultimate decision to leave the profession she found so constricting.
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Review
'A fascinating account ... Her storytelling is charming' -- Big Issue
'A glimpse into the exotic, mysterious, tinged-with-eroticism world of the almost mythical geisha' -- Daily Mail
'Eloquent and innovative ... It should be received with nothing but respect' -- The Times
'Honest and authentic' -- Adeline Yen Mah, author of FALLING LEAVES
'This beautifully written book gives a truly fascinating insight into a secretive world' -- Company Magazine --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
'A glimpse into the exotic, mysterious, tinged-with-eroticism world of the almost mythical geisha' -- Daily Mail
'Eloquent and innovative ... It should be received with nothing but respect' -- The Times
'Honest and authentic' -- Adeline Yen Mah, author of FALLING LEAVES
'This beautifully written book gives a truly fascinating insight into a secretive world' -- Company Magazine --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
About the Author
MINEKO reached the peak of her career as a geisha in the 70s and 80s, performing for the likes of the Queen and Prince Charles. Now fifty-two years old (and still stunningly beautiful), she is the mother of one daughter and lives with her husband in a suburb of Kyoto, Japan.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
38 of 39 people found the following review helpful
By Soraya
Format:Hardcover
After reading "Memoirs of a Geisha" i was really hungry for more literature about this fascinating world and i picked the right book. Ms Iwasaki's story is truly interesting and offers an amazing inisght into the REAL world of the geisha. The details are so fine and exquisite that you really dont want to tear yourself away from this world. It also cleared up a lot of misconceptions that "Memoirs of a Geisha" presented. The latter text relates of a practice called the "mizauge" in which a young geisha offers her virginity to a patron (who has paid for the privilege). Ms Iwasaki clears this up and points out that it was NOT a part of her experience as a Geisha and that the practice belongs to another group. The only criticism i would have is that Ms Iwasaki tends to come accross as a little arrogant and presumtious sometimes (e.g the time she believes she caused the Queen and Prince Phillip to sleep in separate beds!). But other than that, this book is truly MARVELLOUS!
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By Reader
Format:Paperback
I've read the reviews below and think some people have missed the point a little; yes, it's true Mineko can come across as being up herself but in reality she's just very factual, as is the style in Japan. She could easily be discussing someone else's life rather than her own. It's a fasinating book which reveals tons about the kind of life Geisha's have and how much hard work it is. I would highly recommend it - more so than Memoirs of a Geisha.
Read it and be your own judge.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By J. Kisseih
Format:Paperback
Beautifully written and a book you can't put down (even though Mineko comes across as a little full of herself at times). It really goes into detail as regards the life of a Geisha (which essentially seems to be to entertain men albeit in a refined way).
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Recommended Seller
Delivery was very quick, within a few days, and I had no problems with this item.
I can't comment on the content of the book as it was bought as a present.
I can't comment on the content of the book as it was bought as a present.
Published 1 month ago by Kieran
4.0 out of 5 stars
A lovely story
I enjoyed this book even though it took a while to get into. I felt it could have benefited from including a glossary of Japanese words. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Chrissie
5.0 out of 5 stars
The real Sayuri
I read this book many years ago, but for some reason I never got around to reviewing it. This is despite the fact it has to be one of the most important works on geisha that has... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Trevelyan
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating insight
I already read, and liked, "Geisha", which is said to be inspired by this geiko's story, and thought this book would be similar. It is not. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Eirin Mikalsen Orum
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating insight into the geiko world
I lived in Japan for a year and just love reading about anything related to the place and its people. Read more
Published 14 months ago by nipponchica
5.0 out of 5 stars
a very good read
this is the first geisha book i read, a few years ago, i'd have to read it again to remind myself just how good it is. Read more
Published 21 months ago by W. Doyle
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating memoir of an incredible life
Mineko Iwasaki was the foremost geisha of her time, to the extent where she became a legend and was invited to entertain the highest levels of world society. Read more
Published 23 months ago by M. K. Burton
4.0 out of 5 stars
very enlightening
A very interesting book. This is the true life story of Mineko Iwasaki. She is 'adopted' by the Geishas at a very early age. Read more
Published on 26 Mar 2010 by palace pier
5.0 out of 5 stars
Book Club Reading
This is an excellent read, not a book I would have probably read by my own
choice!!!! Wasn't sure at the start whether I would finish reading it but,
Am really enjoying... Read more
choice!!!! Wasn't sure at the start whether I would finish reading it but,
Am really enjoying... Read more
Published on 2 Mar 2010 by Kathleen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Geisha of Gion
This book is essential reading for anyone who enjoyed either the film or the book of 'Memoirs of a Geisha' by Arthur Golden as it is the true life story of the real Geisha Mineko... Read more
Published on 3 Nov 2009 by A. J. Miller
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