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Geisha | 
 enlarge | Author: Liza Crihfield Dalby
Publisher: Vintage
Category: Book
List Price: £8.99
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Rating:  13 reviews
Sales Rank: 27642
Media: Paperback
Edition: New edition
Pages: 384
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 7.9 x 5.1 x 1
ISBN: 0099286386
Dewey Decimal Number: 390
EAN: 9780099286387
ASIN: 0099286386
Publication Date: September 28, 2000
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk Review
In the mid-1970s, an American graduate student in anthropology joined the ranks of white-powdered geisha in Kyoto, Japan. Liza Dalby took the name Ichigiku and apprenticed in the famed Pontocho district, trailing behind "older sisters" bemused by this long-legged Westerner intent on learning their arts and customs. In Geisha, this observant ethnographer paints an intoxicating picture of the "flower and willow world" to which she gained entry. "Why are you studying geisha?" asks one slightly belligerent older sister. "Geisha are no different from anybody else." Not quite, says Dalby dryly, pointing out that geisha and wives play utterly divergent, though complementary, roles in traditional Japanese society. "Geisha are supposed to be sexy where wives are sober, artistic where wives are humdrum, and witty where wives are serious." While hardly feminists, they reap freedoms unknown to other women. Dalby illustrates broader cultural differences, too, with a million tiny details about boisterous customers, how many hundred-weight of tabi (split-toed socks) geishas go through, what defines iki (chic), why maiko (young apprentices) are drawn to the life, and what geisha wear, from the skin out. Acknowledging that her growing personal stake in the masquerade prevented objectivity, Dalby frees the reader to enjoy a fluid and fascinating look at one aspect of Japanese culture. --Francesca Coltrera
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| Customer Reviews: Read 8 more reviews...
Geisha July 19, 2008
Spider Monkey (UK)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
In `Geisha' Liza Dalby has managed to write a book studying the lives of Geisha and how their art developed, whilst at the same time making it flow like a novel. This book is an in-depth look at Geisha life and also touches upon general life in Japan as well, which makes for fascinating and captivating reading. It is illustrated throughout with photos and a few charts/graphs to demonstrate points made. Liza is the only (at the time of writing) foreigner to be introduced into the Geisha world and this affords her, and us, with a unique insight into the traditions and lifestyle of Geisha. She writes with genuine humour and with sympathy for the lives Geisha lead and the sacrifices they make for their art and this is passed on to the reader. I found myself completely immersed in the lifestyles and aspirations of those described and had a deeper understanding of Geisha life as a result. An informative read, written in a beautiful way, what more can you ask for?
A wonderful peek into a secret world June 14, 2007
Ms. L. J. Marritt (East Yorkshire, UK)
It is probably worth mentioning after reading previous reviews of this book, it is NOT fiction like Memoirs Of A Geisha. This is a true life account of an American women living amongst Geisha. Liza Dalby's writing brings to life the secret 'flower and willow' world before the readers very eyes. It is a touching and personal account with well researched facts peppered amongst Liza's own experiences. I would recommend this book to anyone, who like me has a huge interest in the rarely viewed world of the Geisha.
 Fact, not Fiction! May 27, 2007
furisodechan (UK)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is a very interesting book that gives a valuable insight into the world of geisha. As a more accessible text based on an anthropologist's study, it achieves an in depth look at history, tradition and the geisha world of thirty years ago from the point of view of an outsider who became accepted into the Pontocho community. It is well written and presented in a format that can be dipped in and out of with ease, with excellent notes, glossary and indexing.
Unlike some other reviewers on this page, I have read and re-read this book, and frequently use it for reference. The background information about such topics as the different geisha districts in Kyoto, geisha names etc. is excellent in helping the reader's greater understanding of the subject.
I would recommend following up this book by reading the autobiography "Geisha of Gion", by Mineko Iwasaki, which is a highly personal account by the leading geisha of the 1960s, in contrast to Dalby's more objective study.
Readers, please remember that Arthur Golden's "Memoirs of a Geisha" is fiction! If you are looking for "racy" fiction, full of vague details about "oriental life", this is NOT the book for you...
An interesting and intelligent insight into this vanishing way of life May 28, 2006
Ruth C. A. Morris (South Wales, UK)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
After reading many reviews of this book, I do feel that people have misunderstood it. Just to get one thing clear, this book isn't some romantic work of fiction like 'Memoirs of a Geisha', it reads more like a text book with some personal experiences thrown in.
I don't think Liza Dalby ever meant to become a geisha in the formal sense, she was there to do research for a dissertation or thesis of some kind on the subject. Many people have pointed out that her attending social occasions as a geisha without having years of training etc makes a mockery of the whole profession. This could not be further from the truth.
Liza Dalby writes with intelligence and emotion and provides the reader with one of the most informative works on the subject that I have encountered. She covers every subject from the history of the geishas, to the instruments they play and how they dress. The book can be quite heavy going at times, but it is worth sticking to. If you are a fan of 'Memoirs of a Geisha' (as I am), then this is certainly worth checking out.
Another book worth checking out is 'Geisha of Gion' by Mineko Iwasaki.
 Not a geisha at all April 25, 2006
F. Arnold (UK)
6 out of 21 found this review helpful
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.
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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