Geisha Paperback – January 1, 1998

As it turns out - she never became a true Geisha, she just attended the rituals. Bummer

Arthur Golden used Liz Dalby's book as a key into the secret world of geisha so I wanted to read it primarily to learn what it was like to be the only American geisha. It isn't a book that you will want to read in one sitting but the chapters are clearly divided into smaller sections and reading one or two sections a night is very satisfying. Although I had hoped for more personal details of Liz Dalby's experiences, once I got used to her style of presentation I became interested in all the other information which she felt it was important to include. By the last chapter, I truly wished the book was longer and decided to order her book on Kimono to extend the pleasure of her writing style for a while. At the very beginning I was afraid her interest in anthropology would make this rather a dry book but as she warmed to her subject matter, I grew to enjoy her slightly clinical distance from what she described.For those who are looking for the passion of Memoirs of a Geisha, you should probably read Arthur Golden's book -- which is much more detailed than the movie. For those who will enjoy an objective but sympathetic view of life as a geisha from the 1930's to the mid 1970's, I recommend this book.

I love this book. An excellent explanation about the intimate and secretive world of the geisha. What makes this book a good read is that Dalby is an anthropologist who is heavily involved in the Japanese culture and does a great job explaining why the West will never fully understand the geisha, or why Japanese men pay big bucks for their company and alcohol, since geisha are not prostitutes and sex is not involved. The problem is the West does not have anything comparable to the geisha. For those who are fans of Arthur Golden's Memoirs of a Geisha, or the movie, you may be interested to know that Golden pays tribute to Dalby for her extensive knowledge of the geisha. Although Dalby did not go through the normal process to become a geisha, nor was she a geisha that long, she completely immerse herself and was well accepted. Instead of just being a description of geisha, it is a very personal account of her relationship with her geisha sisters and house mothers. A very interesting look at how different Japanese culture and its mind set is in contrast to Western way of thinking. I couldn't believe I put aside my Game of Thrones books so I could read this book. I still have five other geisha books to read, but those will have to wait until I finish Book 4 of the Game of Thrones.

Liz Dalby's book from the late seventies is a portrait in time of the flower and willow world of Geisha that no other Western author has ever been able to capture. This makes Arthur Golden's book Memoirs of a Geisha laughable compared to the poignancy of the stories of real Geisha and the lives they led at the time of writing.Dalby also gives plenty of history (she is an anthropologist) as well as becoming her own test subject by actually portraying geisha herself. These personal accounts are worth every penny for the privelage. I would have much rather seen a film of this book!There is so much that is deeply moving about her relationships with the Geisha and the dramatic losses of real life that are interwoven throughout the book. I would love to see a follow-up to the book, to see how all of this ultimately became part of her life.There are excellent photos throughout, though some in color would have been nice. This is a true anthropological memoir but it is never dry, never overly intellectual. Dalby is not a great writer but she is a terrific journalist.I've read many books about Geisha and this stands alone as the finest.

I did not know what i was getting myself into when i purchase this book alongside Arthur Golden - Memoirs of a Geisha but then i questioned myself...this is from a lady who was a geisha herself, who knows what more mysteries she can add to my own revelations...and she did not let me down. I cannot put down this book.... I jus can't. She detailed every little thing and more and i am sooo glad because when my friends ask how i knew so much of the floating world and some of Japan history...though most of it was learnt from Anime and watching documentaries... i can safely say "read Liza Dalby's book and you will learn their unique discipline and honour bound relations...you will be amazed at how they respect everything in life and you will be inspired". This books makes me want to dress up as a geisha...not sure if i have the discipline to become one...hahaha...but i respect these ladies who made the history and sustain Japan livlihood from the Shogunate era to the now Modern world... Ladies keep doing your best...

The preface of this book gives a good introduction into what the Geisha world is about. Liza Dalby gives a detailed view of Japanese culture and mentality which enables us in the West to understand what these unique women are about. She became a Geisha as part of her college thesis. She did not plan to do this before going to Japan........

This is a cultural look at the geisha world from the American viewpoint. I think she may not have been introduced into the real authentic world, but it was interesting reading. Since then, I've read other books by actual geishas to get a better look inside their world.

Very well written book eventhough it tells you it is fiction, you can't help but believe it is relevant to that time. I found it to be really entrancing.

I'm currently reading the book which looks like a great read so far. I like the fact that Dalby's work is extremely knowledgeable but never judgmental of Japanese culture. You can sense a lot of respect and dedication inher work. What's more the cover is a huge bonus. Caught several people looking at it while reading it during my morning commute!

現場主義で徹底的に取材しレポートしている。英文もそれほど難解ではない。大学生であれば寝転んで読んでもわかると思う。ぜひぜひ読んでうぉしい本。

This book is fascinating in so many aspects. First the're the fantasy of an american girl entering a secretive and close world we often can only ponders about, and second, the knowledge she brought from it that is so subtly mixed with a narrative of her personnal experience that you can't help but feel like you know personnally the people and the world she speaks about.The way Liza writes might not be make of this book an easily enjoyable novel (as it isn't meant to be), but with skillful glimpses of her life as a geiko scattered among interesting information about geisha and japanese lives, she was able to thoroughly ensnare me. I couldn't wait to read more about her okasan, Ichiume (whose pictures I can now never look at without feeling a deep sadness), the dragon trio, the difference between the hanamachi, how geisha became what they are today and so many more things!This book is not a novel like Arthur Golden's Geisha. This book is not a recollection of a life like Mineko Iwasaki's Geisha of Gion. Do not expect to read of only her experience as a geisha, as this book is so much more than this. It is a portal toward a world no other westerner could experience, and as such, Liza Dalby's Geisha is much more enlighting to those who seek to understand as much as learn about geisha.I highly recommend this book to anyone who seek knowledge and first-hand experience of the geisha world. Those who hope to read a romanticized version of Liza Dalby's life shall be disapointed. Geisha goes beyond the writer herself, beyond Pontocho's limits and dive deep into an intricate part of japanese society enshrouded in secrecy.

Condition is great. Delivery was as expected. Definitely recommend.

I bought this after watching Memoirs of a Geisha. This is a fascinating account of the only non Japanese women ever to become a Geisha. It's amazing to learn about the history and culture of the Geisha, in addition to how much training they have to go through.