Marianne Sato answers “How certain can we be that what Mineko...”

T Huong asked this question about Geisha, a Life:

How certain can we be that what Mineko wrote in the novel about herself is true? A. Golden’s Memoirs of a Geisha is subjected to such scrutiny even though it is historical fiction, not historical fact, but a former geisha’s claim to be the greatest of her time isn’t? Why’s that?

Marianne Sato First of all, Mineko was, in fact, the highest earning (i.e. most popular and asked for) maiko/geiko for six years in a row, which is seriously impres…moreFirst of all, Mineko was, in fact, the highest earning (i.e. most popular and asked for) maiko/geiko for six years in a row, which is seriously impressive. That record was held until recently, when Satsuki broke it in 2018. Every geisha district keeps tabs on how much each maiko and geiko earns and every year, the member with the highest earnings receives an award. So basically, she really isn't kidding when she says she was the greatest of her time.

Of course, she wrote the book purely from her own perspective but I would expect every autobiography to read like hers. A person's truth is subjective and ultimately, no one can refute it except Mineko herself.(less)

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