Geisha: A Life
by Mineko Iwasaki, Rande Brown
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Read in March, 2008
I enjoyed this book! Mineko Iwasaki was one of the primary information sources for "Memoirs of a Geisha," but she was so dissatisfied with the sensationalized nature of that story that she was moved to write her own. I haven't read "Memoirs," but I remember that the movie didn't hold my attention, mostly due to the fact that it portrayed geishas as also being prostitutes, which made me lose patience with it. (For some reason, I remember learning this in school, with conjun...more
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Read in February, 2004
I'd vaguely remembered hearing/reading something (maybe on NPR or 50bookchallenge posts) about Mineko Iwasaki, the prime source & inspiration for Arthur Golden's Memoirs of a Geisha: A Novel, being disappointed with the portrayal of the geisha life in that novel, and therefore, she had written her own memoirs. So I checked this book out from the library and I now see where her concerns lie.
Mineko (born Masako Tanaka) j...more
Mineko (born Masako Tanaka) j...more
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Read in February, 2008
Like most people who pick up this book, I had previously Memoirs of a Geisha. And why I had thoroughly enjoyed that book as a work of fiction based on a real life subject, I thoroughly enjoyed this book as someone who had actually gone through the system.
The hard life of a geisha in terms of training and structure was to be expected. I think thats what makes it so beautiful. It's the energy and practice that goes into a tea ceremony, somethin so simple yet complex.
It's a shame much of that...more
The hard life of a geisha in terms of training and structure was to be expected. I think thats what makes it so beautiful. It's the energy and practice that goes into a tea ceremony, somethin so simple yet complex.
It's a shame much of that...more
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Read in March, 2008
As much as I enjoyed Memoirs of a Geisha, I thought this autobiography, by the actual geisha the book was based on, would be amazing. She apparently wrote it in response to Golden's book, which Wikipedia informs me pissed her off, as she felt it was incorrect and misrepresented the true geisha culture.
However, the book is obviously ghost-written, which would be fine if it was by someone who was a better writer. Even though the story is interesting, the writing is choppy, clunky and un...more
However, the book is obviously ghost-written, which would be fine if it was by someone who was a better writer. Even though the story is interesting, the writing is choppy, clunky and un...more
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Read in October, 2003
2003: As the story of a "Geisha" I found this "truth" refreshing! Enlightening after fully accepting the "truth" of Golden's book a few years ago.
The lists of Japanese names (people, positions, kimono and hair styles / traditions) were a bit overwhelming.
I feel that she does unto others what she claims she doesn't want done unto herself. Ignoring her own lesson while handing out punishment. I doubt we receive a very objective view of all her enemies and I thin...more
The lists of Japanese names (people, positions, kimono and hair styles / traditions) were a bit overwhelming.
I feel that she does unto others what she claims she doesn't want done unto herself. Ignoring her own lesson while handing out punishment. I doubt we receive a very objective view of all her enemies and I thin...more
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Unlike the memoir of a geisha (which I just found out - after I finished writing mine- reading the other reviews is based on this lady's life) this is a true memoir or some might say autobiography of one. Set in the Geisha world after the war. A good insight on the actual world of Geisha. However if not at all familiar with it, you might have to guess what some of the words mean.
A very strong minded person since she was a child, she chose to be a geisha. She was neither forced to or sold to be...more
A very strong minded person since she was a child, she chose to be a geisha. She was neither forced to or sold to be...more
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Read in January, 2008
I finished "Geisha, A Life" yesterday, it was really really good. What a severe and circumscribed and rigid life, hard but also beautiful. Mineko is an incredible woman, very strong, very determined, and I was interested in how she found creative ways to help herself and stay sane in an extremely demanding profession. I also loved reading the details of this strange career. Her kimono (kimono is plural and singular) were hand made of the finest fabrics and cost between 5,000 and 7,...more
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Read in January, 2006
recommends it for:
Everyone
This is a great journey through the true story of one of the most famous geisha's. It is written similar to a diary and details her childhood, her decisions and the geisha world.
I received this book as a present and thought that it was the book that they were making a movie Memoirs of a Geisha about. I was wrong. This is a true story written by a woman, a geisha. Memoirs of a Geisha was actually written by a man. This was such an amazing book, I was so disappointed by the movie. I wo...more
I received this book as a present and thought that it was the book that they were making a movie Memoirs of a Geisha about. I was wrong. This is a true story written by a woman, a geisha. Memoirs of a Geisha was actually written by a man. This was such an amazing book, I was so disappointed by the movie. I wo...more
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This is the story of a young girl who is sold into the life of “geishood”. I liked the seemingly authenticity of this book with a look back into the life of a geisha pre and post world war two in Japan. It’s very unique and intriguing as to what that life was like (which is a little disturbing)…it definitely keeps you reading. I didn’t want to put it down. I was interested in Syuri’s relationship with Nabu-san b/c it seemed complex. But, I was actually disappointed by the end. I ...more
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I had to return this book to the library (there was a hold on it so I couldn't renew). I actually started to enjoy this story better than Memoirs of a Geisha. It had a slow start and the pace was a little sleepy, but it was an interesting autobiography. Its important to note that the author is the Geisha whom (who?) Arthur Golden interviewed to gather info for his novel (Memoirs of a Geisha). Aaaand, she sued him for defamation. But anyway, just something to think about...
What I have read ...more
What I have read ...more
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in June, 2006
recommends it for:
anyone interested in the life of a geisha
i read this book after i have read 'memoirs of a geisha' because i wanted to see through the eyes of a retired geisha to understand what it was really like. This book was set in Gion, one of the wealthiest entertainment districts so paints a picture of how the well off in the business had live while showing you of the great sadness and strains that the geisha were put under from such a young age. This book was well worth reading after 'memoirs of a geisha' as it gives a first hand account of ho...more
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Read in January, 2007
Ever since I read "Memoirs of a Geisha" I've wanted to read this one, as Arthur Golden mentions this book as being one of his inspirations. On my way to Italy I found it at the airport, and immediately bought it. It did not disappoint. Where MoaG takes place around World War 2, this one describes the life of a Geisha in the 60s and 70s. You get to read about how Mineko meets Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth and several other celebrities that we 'know'. Fascinating book.
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Read in November, 2007
I picked this one up because I LOVED Memoirs of a Geisha (which is fictional). This book is a true memoir of a formerly successful geisha in the most famous area in Japan for the geisha tradition, Gion...I found this book really interesting but not as magical as Memoirs of a Geisha. The Golden novel follows quite closely the traditions of the education and lifestyle of a geisha described in this book, partly because Golden interviewed this author when researching his book.
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Read in January, 2002
Unbelievable book... very moving and I cried and cried. Mineko Iwasaki does a fabulous job of discussing her world and the life of a Geisha!
Get your tissues read, you will need them. The fight of a young girl farmed out because there were too many mouths to feed pre-WWII. A prelude to Memoirs of a Geisha. A fascinating autobiography that is not presumptuous, but delicately embraces the real facts of life in "becoming" a Geisha.
Wish you well...
S
Get your tissues read, you will need them. The fight of a young girl farmed out because there were too many mouths to feed pre-WWII. A prelude to Memoirs of a Geisha. A fascinating autobiography that is not presumptuous, but delicately embraces the real facts of life in "becoming" a Geisha.
Wish you well...
S
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Read in November, 2007
I was glad to read this book about a people and way of life so different from my own, here in the U.S. My brother spent time living in Korea and often comments on how differently people think compared to here. I enjoy having my ideas about the world stretched. This one certainly did that. There's a tiny bit of questionable material in this (I didn't see the movie, but I've heard some of my friends were disappointed because of risque material).
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I have not read "Memoirs of a Geisha", but the book is loosely based on the life of this most famous geisha. She was, I'd heard, unhappy with the portrayal of geisha life in "Memoirs" so she authored her own.
This was a really enjoyable, simple autobiography and a great look into Japanese culture. It definitely tells you all about what a geisha is and does and according to the author, not as improper as you may have been led to believe.
This was a really enjoyable, simple autobiography and a great look into Japanese culture. It definitely tells you all about what a geisha is and does and according to the author, not as improper as you may have been led to believe.
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Read in January, 2006
I purchased this book after reading Memoirs of a Geisha. I thought it was fascinating what was involved in becoming a geisha. The sacrifice and dedication they put into their craft. I loved Memoirs of a Geisha but I think that it sent a message that being a Geisha has a sexual element when a 20th-century geisha has nothing to do with sex. In fact, a geisha would have to renounce her craft to be in a relationship or become married.
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Autobiography of a famous geisha in late 20th century... a lot of the events are not what you'd expect. Very fascinating and an interesting narration. While Memoirs of a Geisha basically took all the different roles of women in the pleasure quarters (from Oiran to the common prostitute) and mixed it into an incorrect portrayal of a Geisha, this seems to be a very accurate and concise depiction of a life in that world.
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Read in January, 2004
After I read Memoirs of a Geisha, I read this. I like to have a theme to advise my reading, so they go together naturally. I like the insight into this part of japanese culture (geisha as entertainer, not call girl), as well as the information on Kimono. Just after I read this, I saw a traveling exhibit of kimono at the ball state art museum - it's fun to have reading that seems to broaden cultural understanding.
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Read in November, 2007
This book is written by the former geisha that the book "Memoirs of a Geisha" is based on (loosely based on, as you find out reading this book). It obviously written by someone for whom English is a second language and doesn't delve as deep into some of the details as I would have liked. But it's interesting for readers like me who are interested in the subject matter. A quick read with no real revelations.
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