Lisa 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?

Lisa Golden stole pieces of Iwasaki's life to use in his book, and conflated the use of the "mizuage" practice of going from maiko to geiko with a practice…moreGolden stole pieces of Iwasaki's life to use in his book, and conflated the use of the "mizuage" practice of going from maiko to geiko with a practice of the same name as seen by high end prostitutes in certain circle within Japan where their virginity is sold. He settled out of court with her for a breach of contract and defamation of character on this. She was particularly bothered by the misconception that geisha and prostitute were synonymous, and much of her reasoning for writing her memoir was to discredit that misconception. (less)

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