Geisha: Women of Japan's Flower & Willow World [Hardcover]

Tina Skinner (Author), Mary L. Martin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 30, 2005

This is the most comprehensive assembly of historic geisha images ever compiled in a book. Over 500 exquisite views - drawn from postcards produced primarily between 1900 and 1940 - illustrate the rarified world of Japan's now-extinct licensed pleasure districts. Soon after the West pried open Japan's doors in 1853, stories about Japan began to circulate wildly through Victorian societies. Geisha quickly attained folkloric status as both imagery, widely traveled stage productions, and titillating novels spread their fame, and postcards bearing their images circulated the globe. Enter a world dripping in symbolism, elevated by accomplishment. For the Westerner, it is a world of exotic misconceptions, characterized by a male fantasy of the submissive Asian beauty devoted to his pleasure. Equally exotic to the average Japanese, Geisha embody the highest level of a proud culture. Geisha are accomplished in music, letters, and the intricate art of the tea ceremony. Epitomizing feminine grace and beauty, geisha are always carefully adorned, every hair oiled into place, and every step and gesture perfectly executed. The comprehensive text introduces historical background about the talented geisha entertainers and other women who were indentured in virtual slavery within the famed and idealized "Flower and Willow World." High-class prostitutes, as well as lowly tea servers are pictured, and the life of early 20th century women in Japan is explored. The symbolic kimono, poses, and accouterments of the women photographed are explained in captioning that will help to open the eyes of many Westerners to Japanese culture, and help to debunk misconceptions regarding the status and nature of geisha. For the Japanese historian, this is the best source of original imagery ever assembled within two covers about Geisha. For anyone with even a casual interest in this utterly unique culture, this book will prove a captivating page turner. .

Product Details

• Hardcover: 238 pages
• Publisher: Schiffer Publishing (August 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764321536
• ISBN-13: 978-0764321535
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,987,417 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I have a TON of Geisha Books -- This is my FAVORITE, August 2, 2007

By 

Rob Oechsle (Naha, Okinawa-ken Japan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Geisha: Women of Japan's Flower & Willow World (Hardcover)

I have a ton of Geisha related books in my personal library -- both antiquarian and new, including a lot of "must have" volumes from amazon. This is my favorite. It is a perfect combination of the best of late 19th century and early 20th century photographic images -- mostly from the ubiquitous real-photo and collotype postcards of the day -- combined with an enjoyable text that seamlessly brings together accurate historical descriptions and informal anecdotes. Enjoyable to read, pleasant to look at. The entire package is is further enhanced by high production values -- the art direction and layout can hardly get any better for a book such as this. While the Geisha in Japan today continue on in small numbers as a disconnected, living anachronism (or a cultural decoration adored by visiting photographers), this book faithfully takes you to the heart of the Meiji-era, when the Geisha really were an integral part of the social mechanisms of the country. I recommended this book to anyone wanting a huge gallery of beautiful and representational images, along with meaningful and accurate commentary skillfully culled from the best sources.

2 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars a good edition for geisha collectors, February 25, 2006

By 

Jennifer L. Hancock (Perth australia) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Geisha: Women of Japan's Flower & Willow World (Hardcover)

a prized book to add to my geisha book collection. HOwever it is filled with OLD black and white and coloured photos of geshia in the oldern times so if you dislike that type of giesha picture try other books.