Memoirs of a Geisha Review

Throughout time, the role that Women had in the early twentieth century to the present has changed drastically and it has changed for the better. Japanese American Women residing in the United States, has experienced the evolution of their culture, tradition, values and their role in society. However though it seems as if there is no time in this ever so rapid society, they still continue to pass down culture and tradition through each generation. Some key terms that are crucial in order to understand the essay are, Issei, or the first generation, Nisei, the second generation ,and Sansei, known as the third generation.Over time the Women slowly moved away form being the average Homemaker and transforming into a respected and valued member of society.

Truths can be easily concealed. Entire massacres can be swept under a carpet and corpses can be burned. Victims can hide their secrets in the darkest caves of their minds. Books, however, tell hidden stories and exploit atrocities. As Salman Rushdie said, “Literature is where I go to explore the highest and lowest places in human society and in the human spirit, where I hope to find not absolute truth but the truth of the tale, of the imagination of the heart.” Human history is recorded in literature. Horrors and carnage but also bravery and love. Two pieces of literature that record Japanese history are Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden and The Rape of Nanking by Iris Chang. Both divulge into the clandestine history of geishas and citizens

As mentioned earlier, Miss Sasagawara does possess worthy merits such as being intellectual and refined. However, her merits are disregarded simply because she was different in appearance from the rest. Yamamoto uses Miss Sasagawara’s character to challenge the presupposed notion that people who are different are necessarily not of value and thus unable to contribute positively to society. There should not be a belittling attitude taken, such as the reception Miss Sasagawara received when she took upon herself to teach a class of girls ballet, and was the only adult rewarded with a bath towel, an intimate gift that she had to open in front of the audience, bearing in mind that this very act could possibly be seen as humiliating based on traditional conservative Japanese culture.

The Japanese term geisha literally means “person of art” as they were known as entertainers from the 16th century. The Japanese view geisha as professional entertainers. They are also known as geigi or geiko. However, the majority of the world perceive them as white faced, red-lipped prostitutes that wear their hair in a bun. Geisha are much more than women with too much makeup, they are an important part of the traditional Japanese social life. Even today, they are the definition of beauty and grace. Geisha are not prostitutes reflected in their history, appearance, skills and role.

Rivalry with an older geisha almost destroys her career. Sayuri is tormented and inspired by love for a man who she believes she cannot have. The story covers the period of the second world war - the end of an era for Japan.

The Samurai’s Tale is about a boy named Taro who was born in the high-class of a samurai but then falls to merely a cook servant in an empire. He navigates his way through social classes to reach his one,important goal which is to be a samurai. Taro is tested in many ways during his journey to become a samurai. Eric Haugaard shows the growth of Taro’s patience, knowledge and trust as he advances classes in the Samurai’s Tale.

Throughout the narrative, the author shows readers the loyalty of people present in the young woman’s life. Cahalan’s family, in particular, play an incredible role. Cahalan’s mother, father, and boyfriend are continually present, especially as Cahalan faces hardships. This loyalty is seen as Cahalan’s mother and father reunite in order to support the young woman, overcoming the

At four years old Naomi’s innocence was robbed. Kogwa writes, “ his hands are large and demanding, He caresses my head as if I were a small animal… he puts his mouth on my face”(75). The act of recoiling the past feels Naomi with fear. Naomi’s experience at Old Man Gower’s hands gave her pleasure even as they frightened her. This unwanted sexual enjoyment

The plot mainly focuses on the struggle of the young heroine Tammie Jo, the teenage daughter of the sadistic mother. It’s her story of endurance. The strength of the story lays the main characters of Tammie Jo and Mama.

The Pleasure Quarters of Edo was essentially a government sanctioned and regulated area for all manner of prostitution and pleasure, which had specific rules that had to be followed (CITATION). In the social hierarchy enforced during the Tokugawa regime, the military was on top, the farmers in the middle, and the ones who didn’t produce anything (merchants, outcasts, etc.) were lowest (CITATION). Prostitutes produced no tangible good, such as rice, yet they became an idealized figure, often portrayed as tragic in bakufu theater (WEEK 2). Despite, or because of, this lack of

Prior to the Edo period Japan was a country in turmoil and at constant war. The people of this era spent most of their time trying to survive rather than living for the moment. Japan’s suffering started to decrease as their leader Tokugawa came to power after being victorious in a battle that some say moved Japan out of the mediaeval period. With this new profound peace in the country other problems quickly arouse. As prostitution spread throughout the land so did the crime that followed those types of activities. In efforts to control crime and restore order Tokugawa established three Pleasure Quarters to contain prostitution and other related entertainment.

They sing, dance, and are well trained in the many arts such as the art of conversation. A geisha during the feudal era of Japanwas first taken in by a geisha house, and trained as an apprentice geisha. They would be trained on how to act properly, and the many skills of her job such as classical dances that she must perform without flaw, to sing classic songs, and to play stringed instruments such as the koto or shamisen. She was also taught calligraphy, jokes, tea ceremonies, how to serve sake, and most importantly she was taught how to converse with men. A geisha was typically hired as a companion to spend time with a gentleman or group of gentleman. She was taught to treat them like kings during their time spent together. A geisha, unlike other women, was not allowed to

This print depicts the courtyard of a rest house where we can see guests being served on the left, and on the right, geisha dressing up for their performance. From this, we can conclude that the society was still male dominant. In the print, there are only men at the rest house and only women are serving them. Only the men traveled and went to other places as we can see because there are no women stopping at the rest house. The women in this picture are also of much paler skin than the males, showing that they mainly stayed home or indoors working away from the sun. We can also see this because there are only women servers, meaning that the women were the ones who are supposed to be working for the men. Another thing we can decipher from this print is that the entertainments and arts were important which also means that the Tokugawa period was a time of peace. We can tell that the arts were important because we can see the Geishas painting their faces in the back, and even though it was just a rest stop, entertainment was provided for the guests in a form of dance that was popular at the time. Usually when there is time of peace, the arts flourish because the people didn't have to worry about any problems, whether it was invasions or natural disasters. Because

The Japanese people have an ugly history to confront, including not only Pearl Harbor but also the bombing of Shanghai, the rape of Nanking, the forced prostitution of Korean women, the horror of the Bataan death march, and the systematic torture and murder of American and other prisoners of war (Gar Alperovitz, 8).

Providing the two heroines with strong and engaging personalities, the novel portrays the life of two young Chinese girls, who because of historical events and family secrets, have to grow up faster than what they had planned. The book delivers emotional themes that are powerful yet familiar, and is written in a compelling manner.