Women of the Pleasure Quarters: The Secret History of the

Women of the Pleasure Quarters: The Secret History of the Geisha
- Used Book in Good Condition
Ever since Westerners arrived in Japan, they have been intrigued by Japanese womanhood and, above all, by geisha. This fascination has spawned a wealth of extraordinary fictional creations, from Pucciniâ€™s Madame Butterfly to Arthur Goldenâ€™s Memoirs of a Geisha. But as denizens of a world defined by silence and mystery, real geisha are notoriously difficult to meet and even to find. As a result, their history has long been cloaked in secrecy.

Lesley Downer, an award-winning writer, Japanese scholar, and consummate storyteller, gained more access to this world than almost any other Westerner, and spent several months living in it. In Women of the Pleasure Quarters, she weaves together intimate portraits of modern geisha with the romantic legends and colorful historical tales that shape their fascinating past. Contrary to popular opinion, geisha are not prostitutes but, literally, "arts people." Accomplished singers, dancers, and musicians, they are, above all, masters of the art of conversation, soothing the worries and stroking the egos of wealthy businessmen who can afford their attentions. Looking into such traditions as mizuage, the ritual deflowering that was once a rite of passage for all geisha, and providing colorful descriptions of their dress, training, and homes, Downer transforms their reality into a captivating narrative, and reveals an enthralling world unlike any other.
Country USA
Brand Brand: Broadway Books
Manufacturer Broadway Books
Binding Paperback
ItemPartNumber 0767904907_Good
ReleaseDate 2002-04-09
UnitCount 1
EANs 9780767904902

Country	USA
Brand	Brand: Broadway Books
Manufacturer	Broadway Books
Binding	Paperback
ItemPartNumber	0767904907_Good
ReleaseDate	2002-04-09
UnitCount	1
EANs	9780767904902

Women of the Pleasure Quarters: The Secret History of the Geisha

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