Geishas and the Floating World: Inside Tokyo's Yoshiwara Pleasure District

by Stephen Longstreet

Geishas and the Floating World returns readers to a lost world of sensuality and seduction, rich with hedonism, abandon, and sexual and personal politics.

"Floating World" refers to Japan's traditional Geisha pleasure districts, but also to the artistic and literary worlds associated with them. At the heart of the "Floating World" and the system it supported was an extensive network of talented courtesans and entertainers, typified by the still fascinating, enigmatic Geisha. Stephen and Ethel Longstreet bring the reader on an in-depth tour of the original and most infamous red-light district in Japan--the Yoshiwara district of old Tokyo that underwent tremendous changes during the more than three centuries of its existence.

Beyond the erotic allure the district held, the Yoshiwara also fostered a rich culture and a much studied and revered artistic and literary tradition. This account is adorned with examples of fine woodblock prints and quotations from often bawdy, and always colorful, original sources that offer a gripping portrait of life within the pleasure zone.

Geishas and the Floating World balances scholarly insights with a master storyteller's flair for the exploits and intrigues of people operating outside the confines of polite society. Stephen Mansfield's new introduction bridges time, examining gender realities and the Yoshiwara through contemporary eyes, highlighting often overlooked subtleties and the harsh realities associated with this glittering world.

Genres: Japan, Nonfiction, History

224 pages, Paperback

Published March 24, 2020

About the author

Stephen Longstreet was a prolific novelist, screenwriter, cartoonist, and artist whose work ranged in subject from gourmet cookbooks to potboiler detective novels to portraits of American jazz greats. He published over 100 books in his lifetime, including the novel The Sisters Liked them Handsome, which was turned into a successful Broadway musical. Longstreet also wrote screenplays that would go on to star Hollywood greats from Ronald Reagan to Errol Flynn.

Reviews

[Alison Orue · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Geishas and the Floating World, Stephen and Ethel Longstreet delve into the rich, multifaceted world of the Japanese geisha. This book serves as both a historical and cultural exploration of Japan’s “floating world” (the “ukiyo”), an aesthetic and lifestyle period that flourished in cities like Edo (modern Tokyo), Kyoto, and Osaka from the 17th to the 19th centuries.

Through an engaging narrative and vivid illustrations, Geishas and the Floating World unpacks the mystique of the geisha. The Longstreets delve into the artistry, training, and lives of these women who dedicated themselves to traditional Japanese arts, music, and dance. They explain that geishas were, and remain, skilled artists and performers rather than courtesans, a point often misunderstood in Western representations. Through insightful descriptions of tea houses, elaborate kimonos, shamisen (a three-stringed instrument), and customs, the Longstreets’ research highlights the dedication geishas applied to perfecting their craft.

While the book’s tone reflects the 1960s Western perspective in which it was written, the Longstreets show remarkable respect and admiration for their subject. They balance historical context with anecdotes, bringing the floating world to life in a way that is both informative and captivating. The text is interwoven with colorful illustrations and reproductions of ukiyo-e prints, enriching the reader's immersion into the culture and aesthetics that defined Japan’s Edo period.

Despite the book’s informative content, some readers may find its approach somewhat romanticized and dated by today’s standards. However, Geishas and the Floating World remains a worthwhile read for anyone interested in Japanese history, culture, or the artistry of geishas. It serves as a tribute to the grace, dedication, and artistry of geishas and provides valuable insights into the roles they played in shaping Japanese cultural history.

In summary, Geishas and the Floating World is a thoughtfully crafted book that captures the beauty and mystery of geisha culture and the historical milieu that supported it. The Longstreets offer readers an engaging portrait of Japan’s floating world, making it a fascinating addition to the library of any Japanophile or cultural historian.

[Eva María · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me ha encantado. Pasa a ser uno de mis libros favoritos 😍

[Galatea · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty good book overall. As with all books where the author is not a native to the culture they're writing about, a lot had to be taken with a grain of salt, and the fact that this was written in 1970 with no bibliography, with some of the sources in the book being claimed by the author to be untranslated, makes reading this as a historical academic text entirely unfeasible (A specific writer quoted from repeatedly is one "Shogi Okada", though Google turns up nothing.)

That being said, it's well-written, fairly descriptive, and an absolute joy to read through, if a bit dated.

[Ale · Rating 3 out of 5]

A deep analysis of the ways of the Yoshiwara, the pleasure district that used to exist in Edo (now Tokyo) and its women. The text is rich with poems and excerpts from books, both Western and Japanese, and every chapter is introduced by a ukiyo-e print. Each chapter focuses on a different aspect of the Yoshiwara and its courtesans and geisha. All in all, an interesting read.

[Vic · Rating 4 out of 5]

rating: 3,5;
definitely flawed but - overall - an enjoyable read

[Shwe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures capturing the flawed, subtle reality of the Geisha's livelihood in the traditional Geisha pleasure districts, which typically appear fascinating & glittering to the normal world!