tomwbrass's review against another edition
3.0
Idk if I was expecting more intrigue, drama and glamour from what's basically a PhD thesis, but this was just kind of dull and factual for the most part. Well-written, but you can tell its roots are in academia a lot of the time, rather than the pop social studies I think I wanted??
wyemu's review against another edition
5.0
A fascinating insight into Japanese culture and the world of Geisha society. Dalby's research was started as a PhD project and adapted into this book after her thesis was finished. Her knowledge of Japanese culture, both inside and outside that of the Geisha community, is extensive and comes from many years of being immersed in that culture. Although primarily a look at the various Geisha communities opperating in Japan Dalby also makes observations on other aspects of the culture as they relate to the Flower and Willow world. While I struggled with some of the Japanese words the book is still very readable and a must for anyone interested in this nation.
ladywrenalot's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this far more than 'Geisha of Gion', as it was much more insightful about the life of a modern geisha, and covers those outside the Kansai region. Dalby also touches on Kimono etiquette and what colours or patterns are appropriate in certain seasons. This has intruiged me so much that I've also bought her specialist book all about it!
If you want to know more about these mysterious figures, this is a fantastic read.
If you want to know more about these mysterious figures, this is a fantastic read.
sherrisue76's review against another edition
3.0
This book was interesting for what it was. Further info on Geisha but it was somewhat boring in parts. It could have done with a bunch of cutting in unnecessary info.
wireless_wizard's review against another edition
3.0
Overall, it was a well-written and fairly insightful book.
However, there are points where Dalby seems to conveniently forget that not all geisha neighborhoods (no matter how close they are/were on the map) had the same work practices, for instance. Dalby pushes the idea that, before it was outlawed, all geishas once offered their virginities to high bidders as part of "mizuage." However, Gion geisha, for instance, would never have done this. The term "mizuage" was also used to mean monthly earnings in general, so translators will often interpret it in a more "titillating" way, regardless of truth. (I highly recommend reading the chapter on geishas in Sheridan Prasso's book, "The Asian Mystique" for more about how Dalby got this wrong. I'm still reading it, but it seems really good so far.)
I was really hoping that Dalby would have done more to dispel the myth of the sex-selling geisha, but perhaps I was expecting too much.
However, there are points where Dalby seems to conveniently forget that not all geisha neighborhoods (no matter how close they are/were on the map) had the same work practices, for instance. Dalby pushes the idea that, before it was outlawed, all geishas once offered their virginities to high bidders as part of "mizuage." However, Gion geisha, for instance, would never have done this. The term "mizuage" was also used to mean monthly earnings in general, so translators will often interpret it in a more "titillating" way, regardless of truth. (I highly recommend reading the chapter on geishas in Sheridan Prasso's book, "The Asian Mystique" for more about how Dalby got this wrong. I'm still reading it, but it seems really good so far.)
I was really hoping that Dalby would have done more to dispel the myth of the sex-selling geisha, but perhaps I was expecting too much.
ellstar's review against another edition
3.0
Part travelogue, part cultural study, part historical analysis, this book was the next step I took from my disappointing encounter with Memoirs of a Geisha to find more information about the modern day geisha.
A little on the scholarly side but charming enough to keep you interested.
A little on the scholarly side but charming enough to keep you interested.
teenlibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
About to travel to Japan and I wanted to reread this book. Daley tried to study the geisha with a semi-anthropological attempt to write about geisha. This includes: the history of the location, the evolution and boom in the early 20th century of geisha, and the conditions in the 1970’s. She breaks down etiquette, training, post geisha life, interconnectedness of the flower and willow world. Lastly, she describes her time when she ‘became’ a geisha, she didn’t have an actual tea ceremony with her big sister because they knew she want committing her life to becoming a geisha. Loved rereading this book!
librarianonparade's review against another edition
4.0
This is a really interesting book written by an American anthropologist who went to Japan and actually become a geisha. It's a really interesting insight not just into the geisha life but its cultural context as well - the history, politics, literature, class structure. The author, known as the geisha Ichigiku, really has a great love and fascination for her subject and it really shows in this book. I found it endlessly fascinating. And it's making me want to go and read Memoirs of a Geisha again.
aimee__a's review against another edition
5.0
I found this book so fascinating, I learned so much and am now dying to go back to Kyoto! I particularly loved the anecdotes, and I admit I also loved the pictures.