Kawakami Yoshino, Japan's most famous geisha

Author: Leslie T. Donald (English)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-03-01
Features: The famous painter Picasso painted her portrait, and Puccini's immortal character "Madama Butterfly" was modeled after her; she was a sensational figure, both a courtesan and an international superstar. She is the epitome of grace and elegance—Kawashima Yoshiko. She once had nothing, yet her beauty, intelligence, talent, and passion, she forged her own path. Yoshiko's story showcases the second encounter of Japanese and Western cultures, and her life witnessed the profound changes in Japan from the Meiji Era to the post-World War II period. The author of this book interviewed Yoshiko's descendants, collected a wealth of materials, and presented to the readers her true life story, her love, and the story of how she fought for her destiny in an era where women were considered inferior to men.
"I am Iwami Taikichi, an ordinary student at Keio University." The young man bowed politely and introduced himself. "I am Ko-Anu, from the Hanamachi geisha district's Hamada Geisha House." She bowed in return, her face slightly flushed. Then, she reluctantly mounted the horse, bowing repeatedly before slowly heading back to the city along the road. The red dress fluttered in the wind like petals. He stood there until she was no longer visible. Her grace, pride, and equestrian skills captivated him. But he knew very well that such a girl was not for him, and it would be pointless to daydream about her. So the young man also walked along the same path toward the distant school, continuing his life of study.
There were many reasons why this girl was not suitable for him. At that time, young people could not control their own fate; they did as their elders told them to do. If their elders told them to study, they studied; if their elders arranged their marriage, they married. Besides, she was a geisha. Of course, this made her even more enchanting, but it also made her out of reach for him, truly something to be admired but never attained. Ko-Anu was not her real name but her stage name. Her real name was Ko-Yama Yoshiko. As a child, she was called Ko-Anu, which implies that Anu means "small." After becoming a full-fledged geisha, she was officially given the name Anu. Many years later, when she made her debut as an actress, she combined her real name and stage name, calling herself Yoshiko.
Yoshiko was not born a geisha. She came from a once-wealthy samurai family that lived by commerce. If things had continued as they were, she might have been arranged a good marriage, becoming the wife of a respectable merchant, living a quiet life. But things did not turn out that way. Japan was evolving in unusual ways at that time, and Ko-Yoshiko's life was therefore struck by a catastrophic blow.
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