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Contrary to western misconception, geishas--the word means "artist"--are not prostitutes. They are available for hire to keep men company for the evening. This rarely involves sex, Sarandon assures us, but so revered is a geisha as a symbol of Japan that one housewife interviewed in this program states that it would be an honor if her husband had an affair with one. This program peeks "behind the painted faces and delicate smiles" as geishas break their code of silence to reveal their "intricate way of life." It takes five years and can cost $500,000 to train a geisha. The finest silk kimonos that adorn a geisha alone cost $2,000. And while geishas have endured 400 years of turbulent history, their role in contemporary Japan seems to be diminishing. Little wonder that American businessmen are said to be taking the lead in preserving a tradition dedicated to the belief that, as one observer translates, "Man has done no wrong, man can do no wrong." --Donald Liebenson
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
54 of 62 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
-Informative Yet Very American,
By Anna Sato (Chicago, Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Secret Life of Geisha [VHS] (VHS Tape)
I picked up my own copy of this film the moment I heard about its release on video. Being a person who has studied this life for the past 2 years I am interested in anything Geisha. So what did I think? Well, this film was definitely informative and it was nice to finally see Arthur Golden on camera and being interviewed after missing his appearance in Chicago. It was also nice to Ms. Liza Dalby and hear of her thoughts on this world. But, surprisingly I was unimpressed with this film. It carried no mystery to it. It was full of foreigners explaining and showcasing away a life life that should of left something to the imagination. There was an anoyying saxophone that was the central instrument, instead of the genlte Shamisen or flute. Even when interviewing a Maiko or Geisha there would be a very loud English narration/translation over the top of it, drowning out any real voice the Geisha might present herself. This documentary had a name, and that name was A&E and with that name came an expensive budget, a star to narrate (Susan Sarandon) and a loss of any real mystique over a life that should of in many aspects remained quiet. This documentary should've been told by the geisha and narrated by a geisha. What was grossly mis-represented was the fact of Geisha and marriage. Infact Susan Sarandon said, along with Liza Dalby that Geisha do not marry. Well, Geish most certainly marry and in fact happens quite frequently. Many geisha would like to be married to their Danna (or patron). This was one of many aspects of this film that was upsetting to hear and see. If you want to see a film that hints about the Geisha life but does not pull the veil completely, buy the documentary "Hidden Women: The Secret Life of Geisha directed by James M. Prater." The film is a ten minute short, but the voices that tell of this life is a Japanese Classical dance instructor and the story of a real Geisha, YUKYO. A.S.
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Completely Mesmerizing,
By
This review is from: Secret Life of Geisha [VHS] (VHS Tape)
After reading Memoirs of A Geisha a year ago, I became obsessed with Geishas and Japanese culture altogether. Since I didn't have A&E on my basic cable system, I was disheartened to have missed this documentary when it was first shown. Discovering that it was available to the public here on Amazon, I quickly snatched it up. I was extremely excited to hear firsthand what Liz Dalby (author of Geisha which I also have read) had to say on film, along with Arthur Golden (author of Memoirs of a Geisha). I was completely fascinated throughout the entire video. It is a shame that the Japanese today aren't investing their time, much less interested in preserving their culture. Geishas are a national treasure to Japan and they are losing out to technology, materialism and self-absorbtion. I would hate to see this part of Japanese history and culture go the way of the dinosaurs.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This video also offers insights into Dalby and Golden,
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Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Secret Life of Geisha [VHS] (VHS Tape)
I saw this video on television last night and was utterly captivated and had to order the video immediately. I live in Japan and felt it showed a side of Japanese culture that few outsiders are able to learn about, much less experience. But in addition to the documentary on lifestyles of the geisha, I was equally fascinated by seeing in-depth conversations with Liza Dalby, who wrote "Geisha," an anthropological study, as well as with Arthur Golden, who wrote the novel, "Memories of a Geisha." They are much more interesting in and of themselves than I had expected! Particularly I liked watching Liza Dalby go back to visit the house where she became the first westerner ever to receive geisha training. Her Japanese behavior was flawless! This video was interesting from beginning to end.
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