Customer Reviews

The Secret Life of Geisha

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"The Secret Life of Geisha" is not going to surprise or amaze anyone who has done a bit of research on Geisha, say by reading Liza Dalby's book "Geisha" or Mineko Iwasaki's autobiography "Geisha : A Life." However, to those uninitiated who still believe that Geisha are some sort of high-class prostitute, then perhaps a secret or two might be unveiled.

This DVD is a pretty standard A & E presentation, with interesting interviews and stimulating visual images. The approach seems to very much be "How Westerners approach Geisha" rather than "How Japanese approach Geisha," as the majority of people interviewed seem to be Westerners such as Liza Dalby, Arthur Golden and western patrons of Geisha. Granted, Liza Dalby deserves to be interviewed on any such presentation, but it did come off a little bit too much like an add for Golden's "Memoirs of a Geisha," a book of dubious authenticity. Although he was used as a primary source, there was no mention of Mineko Iwasaki's lawsuit against Golden for mis-representing her life story in his book.

The nicest thing about a video such as this, as opposed to a book, is the ability to see the costumes and beauty of Geisha in living color, moving around in kimono and dancing and playing their instruments. Geisha are very visual, and a video brings this out better than a book. Susan Sarandon's narration was a bit distracting, and I would have preferred a Japanese narrator, as well as subtitling of the Geisha rather than over-dubbing.

Also missing from the video is that, in modern Japan, women also attend Geisha parties, with the staff of a school perhaps hiring a Geisha and a few Maiko to entertain both genders during a particularly special occasion. The only time I have been to a Geisha party has been mixed-gendered, and it is not unusual in modern Japan.

Still, with few videos of this sort around, for all it's flaws "The Secret Life of Geisha" is worth watching by anyone who is interested in Geisha. Just don't use it as your primary source of information regarding this fascinating world.

Ever since I have read Arthur Golden's blockbuster novel "Memoirs of a Geisha", I have been deeply fascinated by geishas and the world they live in. "The Secret Life of Geisha" was an A&E documentary that was produced and aired back in 1999. It finally sees the light of day on dvd.

"The Secret Life of Geisha" explores the rich history and troubled present of geisha culture in Japan. The word geisha means artist, not prostitute, not hooker but artist. Americans unfortunately got the ridiculous notion that geishas are prostitutes during WWII when young Japanese women would sell themselves as geishas during the US occupation of Japan. This 100 minute long documentary is very thorough and explores a good deal of geisha history. I thought it was excellent to see a few geishas come out and speak about their life as geishas. Despite the misconception westerns might have about geishas, this life is not easy. These women of the arts are constasntly training in song and dance. The training never ends. They stay out at night until the wee early hours of the morning. They can only wash their hair once a week (or at least for maikos). I especially loved hearing what Liza Dalby (the only western woman to ever be allowed into this secretive world as a geisha) had to say given her experience as a geisha. Arthur Golden also speaks in the film.

It is rather ironic that "The Secret Life of Geisha" was released on dvd just prior to the release of the film "Memoirs of a Geisha". I definitely recommend seeing this documentary before seeing "Memoirs of a Geisha".

A good documentary for its time, featuring Arthur Golden, Liza Dalby, Peter MacIntosh, and others (a selection of geisha and maiko from Gion, Atami, Tokyo, Shimoda, etc.). Susan Sarandon's accent is tolerable for American ears, but you probably won't want to watch it more than twice. Despite the candid presentation, there is a clear sense of a cultural 'gap'. As Golden recounts his questions about mizuage, the infamous de-flowering of a virgin maiko (and pre-WWII practice), he was reminded that Japanese traditionally don't kiss on the lips - a shocking revelation for the Western audience. Similarly the presentation of the Kyoto geisha Oyuki (who would be the unlikely wife of J.P. Morgan's nephew, George) is given somewhat sentimental treatment. Clearly the target audience of this documentary must be old enough to remember that 'people just didn't marry Orientals in those days'.

If you're thinking about getting the DVD over the VHS, it's really not worth it unless you don't have a VCR. The special features are little more than a brief glossary of terms, a side-by-side comparison of maiko-geiko and geiko-oiran descriptions. Perhaps they give American audiences too much credit, since the average Westerner wouldn't know all the differences between a maiko vs. geiko vs. courtesan without images. Also, the DVD cover art is stock photography of a poorly costumed woman. Trust me - you don't want a closer look at the ratty wig, bizarre hair ornaments, and butchered kimono - crossed right over left no less.

I more or less made it through this documentary, finally getting past the annoying first 15 minutes with its repeated tease about how secret and exclusive the geisha life is, yet the life of the geisha eludes this film and the veil of secrecy is not lifted.

Liza Dalby provides spirited commentary with a soulful appreciation of the geisha life, and Arthur Golden (whose book "Memoirs of a Geisha" actually gives a much more accessible look at the hidden world) also discusses context and background. But not being able to understand any of the untranslated Japanese banter between geisha and customer makes us have to take on faith that they're charming conversationalists.

It's a good historical overview and the kimono are beautiful, but, again, there's little technical discussion even of the wardrobe, and one gets the sense that the subjects agreed to be filmed but also privately decided not to let the viewer pass through the mystique into real understanding.

Made several years ago, this documentary on the life of the modern-day geisha illustrates the struggle these artists face in maintaining relevancy in today's Japan. Aside from Susan Sarandon's competent narration, Arthur Golden, famous for his fictional novel (and soon to be released movie) called "Memoirs of a Geisha", is interviewed extensively, and he gives us a wonderful picture of the history of the geisha. One note of caution, though: Golden appears to be of Western descent, not Japanese, and he is apparently being sued by the woman he presumably used as a model for the novel, although it's apparently a row over his failure to keep her identity private. Overall, though, Golden seems to be quite knowledgeable about the topic. The program also documents the first American woman to be allowed to train as a geisha in Japan. Overall, a good primer for those interested in geisha, unless you're looking for prurient material. Obviously, this is a must-have if you're an Arthur Golden fan.

This is NOT the 2002 documentary by the Discovery Channel Secret Life of Geisha [VHS], The Secret Life of Geisha DVD. This is a 1999 A&E history of the same name.

Discovery Channel 2002 documentary Secret Life of Geisha [VHS], The Secret Life of Geisha is narrated by Lesley Downer who lived among geisha for 10years and is author of Geisha, Madame Sadayakko: The Geisha Who Bewitched the West, and Women of the Pleasure Quarters: The Secret History of the Geisha.

2002 Secret Life of Geisha [VHS], The Secret Life of Geisha follows the daily rigor of 5 Maiko (apprentice geisha) and their older sister mentor Geiko (full geisha) who live in Gion, the geisha quarter of Kyoto. The clear distinction between geisha (arts person, entertainer, listener) vs. oiran (prostitute, gossip) is stressed.

Shadowing the performers at home (closed to outsiders), during lessons and while performing at ozashiki (geisha tea party) provides an intimate look at their secretive private world.

In 2004 the San Francisco Asian Art Museum in conjunction with the Salem MA Peabody Essex Museum screened the 2002 Discovery film as part of the comprehensive exhibit catalogued in Geisha: Beyond The Painted Smile.

I perform Japanese dance since 2000 and enjoy the authenticity revealed in the Discovery Channel 2002 documentary. The 1999 A&E film elaborates geisha history with archival film footage and offers that different perspective. Both films are informative.

However Maiko and Geiko are shadowed in their daily life in the Discovery 2002 documentary which provides an intimate biography of these iconic living works of art.

I bought this DVD after reading Memoirs of a Geisha for our book club. This was a fascinating DVD and a great accompaniment to the book, because it describes and shows real Geisha. It includes interviews with the author of Memoirs and also the first Caucasian geisha. It delves into the history of the geisha and explains the differences between them and prostitutes and where the belief that they were one and the same probably originated. Susan Sarandon narrates this DVD and does an excellent job. Her voice is perfect for the voice-overs.

Highly recommended for anyone interested in the history of the Geisha.

I was somewhat skeptical ordering this, as I've another A&E DVD which is mediocre. This one actually blew me away with its thoroughness and detail, beginning with the origins of geisha, and following through history, with archive footage and interviews with geisha and maiko (apprentice geisha).

This was apparently made as result of the bestselling status of the novel "Memoirs of a Geisha," and before the film based upon that novel, so it is an excellent resource against which to measure the criticisms of, expecially the film, for alleged "inaccuracies". I recommend that those who press those criticisms take some time off to see this documentary, and the actual "Memoirs" film.

And throughout are the exquisitely beautiful kimono -- from the brightly colored silks worn by maiko, to the subtle and soft pastels worn by full geisha! Almost by themselves worth the price of admission.

Also includes interviews with "Memoirs of a Geisha" author Golden, and Liza Dalby, the only Westerner to ever become a geisha. A can't-miss for the abundant detail based upon extensive research.

And the Sarandan narration is fine.

First of all, I don't see how that a geisha would be very entertaining. Maybe, as a crass American, I just don't understand. Her face is thickly daubed with white stuff to the point that it looks like a plaster of paris mask. Her lips are strangely shaped in a pout and vividly painted. The little banjo thing she plays is atonal. The dances she does are slow and tiresome--"meaningful." She is not a prostitute, so there's no redemption there for a man. So--I should want a 20-year old girl in a kimona for her sparkling conversation? I don't think so.

This documentary does a good job of tracing this strange practice from the days of the shoguns to the present. We learn that geishas were originally men and that only occasionally, rarely do real geishas "pillow" their clients. And we learn that geishas go through years of training to become experts in self effacement, in pleasing men.

The practice seems to be dying out in Japan. I say good. Women need to walk beside men, not mincing along behind them.

Wonderfully informative ! Colorful and exciting lives of girls whos only goal is to please gentlemen of wealth and culture. The highest officials and diplomats certainly enjoy the pleasures of Geisha!!! Its an eye opener!