Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

Memoirs of a Geisha

Arthur Golden

If you know nothing about the role of the Geisha then this is a great opportunity to take an in-depth look at the Geisha training and way of life. It's fascinating, strange and beautiful and will leave you wanting to find out more.



Extract
'If an apprentice geisha acts the way you did just then - pouring tea like a maid would - the poor man will lose all hope. Try it again, but first show me your arm.'

So I drew my sleeve up above my elbow and held my arm out for her to see. She took it and turned it in her hands to look at the top and the bottom.

'You have a lovely arm; and beautiful skin. You should make sure every man who sits near you sees it at least once.'



Parallels
  • Geisha by Liza Dalby
  • Geisha of Gion by Mineko Iwasaki
  • The Binding Chair by Kathryn Harrison

Food for thought