Geisha Memoirs

Author: (USA) Columbia Pictures and Others
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: Directed by Rob Marshall, the director of Chicago, and produced by the renowned Steven Spielberg. Exclusive, limited-edition revelation with beautiful stills, behind-the-scenes footage, and plot disclosures; recently screened in 20 countries worldwide; Zhang Ziyi and Gong Li make their first joint appearance.
Geisha first appeared in Japan's Genroku era (1688–1704). At that time, due to a shortage of staff in brothels, some men were recruited to dress as women and perform songs and dances, while others were women from society who served as drummers in musical performances. Over time, the profession gradually transitioned to being exclusively female. Geisha undergo rigorous training, exuding beauty and tenderness, wearing elaborate attire, and being well-versed in literature, music, and dance. Their primary role is to set the mood at banquets, accompanying guests with drinks and conversation.
The elegance of geisha is also reflected in their "selectivity." They typically entertain guests at specialized geisha houses unless introduced by acquaintances or esteemed individuals to private banquets at tea houses or restaurants. They must not only master various songs, dances, and musical instruments but also stay abreast of international news and gossip, knowing how to cater to guests' preferences, read their expressions, and maintain their dignity. In short, to ensure guests' satisfaction and relaxation, geisha's work is always highly demanding. Girls aspiring to enter the profession must undergo training at a geisha house from a very young age, learning everything from opening sliding doors and walking etiquette to pouring drinks, playing instruments like small drums and shamisen, singing various songs, and mastering dance techniques—even conversational skills with guests.
In the past, many girls were sold to geisha houses by their families due to financial pressures, while others joined out of a passion for the art. During performances, geisha apply white makeup to their faces and necks, often with heavy makeup. They wear large, classical hairstyles, which require numerous hairpins, hair oil, hair wax, and a significant amount of time to maintain. To preserve their elaborate hairstyles, geisha must be extremely cautious, even sleeping with their heads elevated. They always wear luxurious kimono, hand-sewn silk garments that cost around $15,000 each. Their kimono differ from those worn by ordinary Japanese women, whose collars are high, covering the neck entirely. In contrast, geisha's collars are wide and intentionally slanted backward, leaving the neck fully exposed. It is said that geisha's white necks are their most alluring feature.
Geisha command high fees; hiring one in Kyoto for an hour can cost around $500. Most of their income, after covering expenses, is given to the geisha house's owner as a form of repayment for their training and care. While geisha excel in performance and conversation, they lack basic self-sufficiency, with attendants caring for all their daily needs, dressing them in elaborate kimono, and arranging their complex hairstyles. Most geisha have sponsors—wealthy, older individuals who not only cover part of their expenses but also often gift them expensive clothing and accessories, supporting their refined and aloof demeanor.
Moreover, due to strict training from a young age and the demands of performances, many geisha, despite appearing effortless and charming at banquets, often feel empty and lonely inside. Fortunately, the modern geisha industry has abolished the rule prohibiting married geisha from continuing their profession, allowing many to lead normal emotional lives. Like Japan's Kabuki, geisha as a traditional culture faces survival challenges due to lack of acceptance among the younger generation. Currently, there are only hundreds of geisha in Japan.
Public opinion in Japan is divided on this fading industry. Critics argue that geisha are an anachronism, a product of a male-dominated era, and a mockery of women's rights movements. Supporters, however, believe that as a traditional art form, geisha represent the pride of Kyoto and Japan and should be preserved. Within the industry, many young geisha are increasingly dissatisfied with rigid traditions and seek reform. They lead modern lives during the day—getting beauty treatments, shopping—but at night, they must revert to tradition, their kimono's long trains restricting their legs and forcing them to walk with small, elegant steps. They navigate between modernity and tradition, freedom and restraint, constantly seeking balance.
Where will Japan's geisha industry go in the future? Perhaps the upcoming film Memoirs of a Geisha, adapted from Arthur Golden's novel of the same name, will help more people understand this beautiful art form and ensure its legacy. Memoirs of a Geisha is based on the novel by American author Arthur Golden and follows the story of a young woman named Sayuri, whose life spans from 1929 to the end of World War II. The story is told in the first person, recounting her struggles and triumphs from childhood.
Sayuri, a girl with blue-gray eyes, is born into a poor fishing village and sold to a renowned geisha house in Kyoto. There, she learns dance, tea ceremony, and more, eventually becoming one of the city's top geisha. By chance, the most beautiful and famous geisha in Japan, Mineko, takes Sayuri as her "sister," a decision that changes Sayuri's life forever.