The 'flower and willow world' of the Geisha is devoted exclusively
to 'pampering the male ego' and is described in detail by Dalby, an
American anthropologist, the only foreigner to become accepted into
this close sisterhood and be given a Geisha name, Ichigiku. She
weaves cultural references - history, politics, social history, and
Japanese humour - with personal experiences into a fascinating web
that makes the reader feel as though they have slipped quietly
through a secret door into a cultural milieu, unfamiliar and
completely alien to Westerners. The subtleties and customs of
Japanese tradition are exposed through her own close relationships
with her Geisha 'sisters', and through their contact with the men
who employed them. Geisha (literally, 'artist') are trained in
etiquette, speech, deportment, classical dance and music, and are
hired by men to provide wit and entertainment while their wives
live quietly at home. This curious split in women's roles is much
misunderstood, seen as it is through the eyes and reference points
of our own cultures which mistakenly equate Geisha with
prostitution. And although studied eroticism and sex are a part of
it, Geisha defies such narrow perspectives. They are very much
their own women! At one time Geisha were the innovators of Japanese
tradition. Now, as Western influences creep in, they are the
curators of this formalized, almost stylized femininity with its
emphasis on maintaining image and iki (Japanese chic). In an
uncomplicated style this book lures the reader into the mood and
subtleties of Geisha so that one almost 'tastes' and therefore
'knows' what Geisha means, rather than being given a neat
intellectual definition. Dalby introduces this extremely formal
living culture to its cultural opposite with a delicate, almost
old-fashioned flavour, quite appropriate to the subject, but with
meaty detail and deep insight. An utterly compelling read. (Kirkus
UK)
AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE UK Geisha: the mystique never dies. Available again, this classic bestsel ler offers an intimate glimpse into a unique female community. In her account of her experience as the Kyoto geisha Ichigiku, Liza Dalby - t he only non-Japanese ever to have trained as a geisha - reveals the re alities of a world that has long been the subject of rumour and fantas y, and that continues to fascinate Japanese and Westerners alike.
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