Japanese Culture Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden...

A geisha is truly a unique and fascinating individual in the within the Japanese culture. Often times, many individuals do not take the time which is necessary to learn about another person’s culture to understand what incidents occur to shape them into who they are. Americans are primarily guilty of putting the geisha in the same box as prostitutes and placing an identical label on them, when in fact, a geisha isn’t a prostitute at all. However, there are facts about them both that certainly remain true. Geishas and prostitutes are both women who often entertain men; nonetheless, there are undoubtedly unique differences with regard to the style and delivery of their entertainment. The woman who becomes a geisha â€Å"don’t become geisha†¦show more content†¦All the girls studying to be geisha took classes at this same school† (Golden 45). â€Å"Dance is the most revered of the geisha’s arts. Only the most promising and beautiful geisha are encouraged to specialize in it, and nothing except perhaps tea ceremony can compare to the richness of its tradition† (Golden 150). It can certainly be understood why dance is considered to be the art that is considered highest. Regardless of an individual’s culture and background, it could definitely be agreed that dancing is quite personal and can evoke a multitude of emotions all at once. Geisha are also â€Å"taught how to behave toward people. They learn when it is appropriate to smile and say something kind† to another individual† (Golden 158). The magnificent style of dress that a geisha wears is an important tool within her practice of art. The geisha wears a robe called a kimono. It is not simply any kind of kimono. The kimono is a piece of artwork itself. It is usually a kimono that is designed by the best of the best in the most elegant silk fabrics with vast combinations of vibrant colors, threads and textures. Chiyo describes a kimono that belongs to Mameha, â€Å"It was a work of art. Weaving its way from the hem up to the waist was a beautiful vine made heavily lacquered threads bunched together like a tiny cable and sewn into place. It was a part of the fabric, yet it seemed so much like anShow MoreRelatedMemoires of a Geisha by Arthur Golden1703 Words   |  7 PagesWith over seven billion individuals (Population Clock), it is intelligible to claim that with so vast a sea of differing vistas; the power of perspective is the most influential contributor to modern civilization and the human spirit. Arthur Golden’s Memoires of a Geisha and Salvador Dali’s â€Å"Swans Reflecting Elephants† demonstrate the power and influence that differing perspective can have in a positive, artistic manner; while simultaneously bringing notice to the less-than-savory offspring that divergingRead MoreBody2338 Words   |  10 PagesJustice Arthur Golden depicts women’s rights in order to understand the important role of respect in one’s life and the right to live freely. The issue on women’s rights is clearly stated in the novel because Golden takes a good interest on the way how the society itself treats poor families and women, differently from the higher ones. A sample event that shows the depiction on women’s right: ‘â€Å"†¦Since moving to New York I’ve learned what the word â€Å"geisha† really to most Westerners†¦Ã¢â‚¬ Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ (Golden 375) Read MoreMemoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden713 Words   |  3 Pageswell as various Japanese Geisha in the early 1900’s; specifically in the novel Memoirs of A Geisha, by Arthur Golden. Set in the early years before World War 1, it was within the lives of these Geisha that objectification was not only displayed, but was exemplified. Outrightly told to listen to men, apply cosmetics, and act with reservation within society, similarities between both old-world Geishas and modern day women are easily correlated. Beginning on their initiation day, Geisha were taught exactlyRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book Memoirs Of A Geisha 1219 Words   |  5 PagesMemoirs of a Geisha is a beautiful work of meta-fiction; where the author implements an autobiographical approach and fabricates a fictional translator who is supposedly a friend of the protagonist in the book; Nitta Sayuri a geisha or Geiko of Kyoto, Japan. Here Golden gives an unusual frame to the storytelling through the voice of the translator Jacob and how Jacob documents Sayuri’s oral narration about the fascinating life she has had as a Kyoto Geisha. This biographical approach gives the storyRead MoreMetaphors In Memoirs Of A Geisha1760 Words   |  8 Pages Introduction: The novel Memoirs of a Geisha is a historic fiction story in which the hardships and blunders of the Japanese during both world wars and after are seen through the eyes of the protagonist. In other words, this is the life story of the narrator. As evident by the title, the story is of the narrator’s transition and life as a geisha, which roughly means ‘traditional Japanese prostitute’. The lives of geisha are very difficult, facing discrimination from the changing world and oppressionRead MoreShanghai Girls - Book Review2407 Words   |  10 Pageshe childhood in the Chinatown of Los Angeles, and her familial background has given her roots in Chinese culture and has had a great impact on her life and work. See is the author of the critically acclaimed international bestseller, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan; Peony in Love; Flower Net (an Edgar Award nominee); The Interior; and Dragon Bones, as well as the critically acclaimed memoir On Gold Mountain, and Shanghai Girls. Her first book, On Gold Mountain: The One Hundred Year Odyssey of MyRead MoreShanghai Girls - Book Review2414 Words   |  10 Pagesspent he childhood in the Chinatown of Los Angeles, and her familial background has given her roots in Chinese culture and has had a great impact on her life and work. See is the author of the critically acclaimed international bestseller, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan; Peony in Love; Flower Net (an Edgar Award nominee); The Interior; and Dragon Bones, as well as the critically acclaimed memoir On Gold Mountain, and Shanghai Girls. Her first book, On Gold Mountain: The One Hundred Year Odyssey of MyRead MoreMovie Vs Text : Memoirs Of A Geisha2110 Words   |  9 PagesFilm vs Text: Memoirs of a Geisha Juanita Krzymowski Coleman University HUM320: World Drama Danielle Peloquin Film vs Text: Memoirs of a Geisha In this paper, I will be comparing the differences in both the novel and the movie of Memoirs of a Geisha. The book was written by Arthur Golden and published September 27, 1997. The film was directed by Rob Marshall and released in theaters December 9. 2005. The differences I will be talking about what was different and how it may affect it may have