The Life of a Geisha

by Eleanor Underwood, Liza Dalby (Foreword)

Period and contemporary photographs, along with traditional Japanese poetry and haiku and woodblock prints, highlight a close-up look inside the world of the geisha, from her richly detailed costume and makeup to her ritualized behavior.

Genres: Japan, Nonfiction, Art, History

64 pages, Hardcover

First published July 10, 2012

Reviews

[Petra X · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful, large-format book of photographs of geishas going about their business whether its strolling on the streets window shopping or going through the elaboyoung women going through all the elaborate make-up and dress procedures that turn them into the doll-like beings that so fascinate us.

[Eleanor S · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have a huge interest in geisha, and I have to say I was a wee bit disappointed with this book. It features many interesting photos, including some historical ukiyo-e prints, which are lovely to look at. But there were parts within the text that were genuinely a bit worrying - such as the praise for Memoirs of a Geisha by Golden. It isn't to say that that particular book wasn't *good* - it features a very interesting story - it's that the story in MOAG is not factually correct, and to praise it in this book about historical geisha feels a bit... wrong? If that makes sense at all.

Regardless and if you sort of ignore those parts of the text, this book is very interesting as it offers a short depection of geisha before our modern-day perceptions of them. But it's only real selling-point is the photos. Even then, some of the captions were outright wrong - such as captioning a picture of a tayuu as a 'young woman with an oiran look'. Tayuu and Oiran are not the same thing! And furthermore, there was much confusion between 'geisha' and 'maiko' in those captions.

The text felt a bit clumsy, with details and proper definitions skimmed over. If you like old photos of geisha and the pleasure quarters, then this book is great, but in terms of facts, I'm not so sure.

[Luci · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm currently on a Geisha "kick" and had this one laying around for quite awhile, so why not read this one, too...

The reasons I put it off are: 1) It's ANOTHER book written by a Gaijin, 2) It directly references that Memoirs of a Geisha by yet ANOTHER Gaijin and 3) the intro is by Liza Dalby, again, yet ANOTHER Gaijin!!!

Geeze!!! Where are books written by actual Geisha? ~~~Oh! Forgot I had Geisha, A Life by Iwasaki Mineko! But that one only has a few photos, not like this book. Oh, and supposedly that Arthur Golden based his billion-selling made-into-a-film book on Iwasaki's life so that'll be my next read.

Nonetheless, this is a gorgeous coffee table sized book with lots and lots of colorful photos and art work, little snippets of poetry, history and bits of insight into the Geisha-Maiko life. It's only 64 pages, a very brief read and a good visual intro but that's about it. Still, a fun read.

[Morgane Neyt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Left with a tear.

[Shannon Walker · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck is still my favorite on the Asian culture.

[Sandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

kind of boring

[Kimberly Poe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book between a couple of other favorite reads, thinking I would try something new out and expecting it to be somewhat of a slower read. Boy, was I wrong! This book hooked me from the beginning and I couldn't stop flipping the pages until I reached the end.

[Reba Westreicher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book looking into the world of what it takes to be a Geisha in the Asian culture, what was expected of her, the years of training and the very real existence in my opinion of slavery, prostitution and torture.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A history of geisha up to the present day in a beautifully designed book.

[Leslie · Rating 2 out of 5]

While it was informational, I had issue with the author constantly referring to Arthur Goulding's "Memoirs of a Geisha", which has been noted, that his book is not all that accurate.

[Beth Garland · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my top 5 books of all time

[Angie Fehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be a quick, easy and very informative read if you are looking for an introductory book regarding the history of geishas. It was interesting to learn that geishas were originally only men, the profession not becoming largely (and later, fully) female-based until the 1800s. I loved all the illustrations included in this book!

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enlightening look on what it takes to become a top Geisha.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks Amy for the great going away gift! I was lucky enough to read it in the hotel after seeing REAL meikos at the Gion Festival in Kyoto. So interesting!

[Rachel Kopel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just got this yesterday at a booksale. I enjoyed it, beautiful graphics, interesting information. I have decided that I now know all I really want to know about Geishas.

[Jan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Probably better in a coffeetable-book format, than on the Nook. I was looking for more verbiage, less picture.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gives us a lot of information about the history of Geisha, customs and Japanse culture. There are great photos and old prints to enjoy.

[Amelina Svenstrup · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helt igennem smuk, informativ, fængslende og hjerteskærende. Must-read.