Geisha
by Liza Dalby
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Book Summary Information
Author: Liza DalbyEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1998-10-01
ISBN: 0520204956
Number of pages: 367
Publisher: University of California Press
Book Reviews of Geisha
Book Review: "Geisha" /= "Dalby"
Summary: 3 Stars
This book is interesting and certainly has some use in understanding the world of the geisha. However I was disappointed in some respects. The book is very dry, almost like a university dissertation. Of course it shouldn't have been as racey as Golden's book (Memoirs of a Geisha), but she still could have been more eloquent.
Also it is important to mention that Liza Dalby was NOT a geisha. This has either been a bit of nice PR from her publishers, or perhaps from Dalby herself. Although she was allowed to accompany geiko friends to some of their parties to help better understand their world:
a) she never went through the formal processes of becoming a geisha (or maiko) herself, including the years of training.
b) she was not formally associated with any of the okiya or ochaya in Kyoto.
c) she was not formally registered as a geisha with the community authorities.
d) clients were not billed for her attendance at parties.
I even sent a query to her website, receiving a response stating that she was not an officially registered geisha - that rather sealed it for me.
It may seem exciting to believe that a non-Japanese woman was a geisha, but slapping on some makeup, wearing a kimono and going out into the night is not sufficient. It is unfair to the real geisha and maiko of Japan to continue with this belief, as it belittles the hard work and effort they put in every day.
Instead I would recommend "Geisha: The Secret History of a Vanishing World" by Lesley Downer, as she is more modest about her experiences with the various geisha communities.
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