Memoirs of a Geisha

By: Arthur Golden
Genre: Historical Fiction

Delve into the fascinating, secretive and scandalous world of the beautiful grey-eyed geisha, Sayuri, in this page-turner. The Japanese definition of beauty, good manners, expectations and typical lifestyle throughout the decline of traditional Japanese culture in the 20th century are explored in the prose. Chiyo is the youngest of two children from a rural family of poor, common farmers. When their mother dies, the father has no choice but to sell the girls into a new life, described equally as a blessing and a curse. The two girls are torn apart once they arrive in Tokyo. Satsu, Chiyo's older, plainer sister is thrown into a brothel while Chiyo's colorless eyes land her in an okiya, aka geisha training camp. After enduring months of torture from Hatsumomo, one of Gion's most well-known, haughty geisha, Chiyo begins her official geisha training under the wing of the highly successful Mahema. A girl of similar age also undergoes geisha training with Hatsumomo as her older sister, although it is clear that the latter has taken on an apprentice out of spite. Sayuri is adopted as Chiyo's almanac-friendly name and after many successful months, she is adopted by the Nitta mother, owner of the okiya. This thwart's Hatsumomo's scheme of securing Pumpkin the coveted position of being mother's adopted daughter and Sayuri is finally released from life under the crushing thumb of Hatsumomo. Sayuri's life remains on the rocks emotionally as she tries to discover her personal identity in the midst of a whirl-wind life of entertaining at teahouses and selling her affections to the highest bidder. After many tough lessons, Sayuri gains the love of her personal savior, the Chairman.