Japanese Geisha: A Disappearing Culture

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how Geishas are still active in Japanese society today and how they have been a part of Japan's culture since ancient times. It contends that the movie "Memoirs of a Geisha" does not come close to adequately representing the life of a geisha-an important and guarded piece of Japanese culture and history. In contrast, it looks at how Arthur Golden's novel, by the same title, seems to much more adequately provide an insiders look into this fascinating world.

From the Paper:

"Many of the geisha community's top clients were military leaders and the leaders of huge companies and factories with homes in Japan. Many of these clients were killed in the war. Those who survived often lost everything they had after losing entire factories and companies to bombs and air raids. Not only did the geishas lose clients--many practicing geishas were lost as well. Thousands of lives were taken from Japan in World War II. Unfortunately, social status did not save anyone from the attacks. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Geisha of Japan. "What is a Geisha?" 12 Dec<http://marian.creighton.edu/~marian-w/academics/english/japan/geisha/whatgeisha.html>.
• Golden, Arthur. Memoirs of a Geisha. New York: Vintage Books, 1997.
• Iijima, Masako. "The Gentle Art of the Geisha, Revisited." 19 Dec. 2000 Globe and Mail. 14 Dec. 2005 <http://www.walnet.org/csis/news/world_2000/gandm-001219-2.html>.
• "Japan." Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia. CD-ROM. Redmond: Microsoft, 2002.
• "Memoirs of a Geisha." Rotten Tomatoes. 2005. 14 Dec. 2005. <http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/memoirs_of_a_geisha/about.php>.

More papers on Japanese Geisha: A Disappearing Culture:

• Research Paper # 92232 : "Cultural Ethnography of the Japanese Geisha"
• Book Review # 132257 : "With Respect to the Japanese" - A Book Review"
• Persuasive Essay # 106162 : "Creating a Safety Culture"

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