Women of the Pleasure Quarters
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 Puccini's Madame Butterfly to Arthur Golden's Memoirs of a Geisha. The reality of the geisha's existence, though, whether today or in history, has rarely been addressed.
Contrary to popular opinion, geisha are not prostitutes but, literally, "arts people." Their accomplishments include singing, dancing, playing musical instruments; but above all, they are masters of the art of conversation, soothing the worries and stroking the egos of wealthy businessmen who can afford their attentions. It is this which imbues the geisha with such power—and which makes absolute secrecy such a crucial aspect of their work.
As denizens of a world defined by silence and mystery, geisha are notoriously difficult to meet and even to find. Lesley Downer, an award-winning writer, Japanese scholar, and consummate storyteller, gained more access into this world than almost any other Westerner ever has 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 of geisha of the past.
An authority on Japanese history and culture, Lesley Downer, is the author of several acclaimed works on Japan, including a travel book, On the Narrow Road, and The Brothers: The Hidden World of Japan's Richest Family, selected as a New York Times Notable Book. Having lived in Japan for a decade, she now divides her time between London and New York. In her highly anticipated new book, Madame Sadayakko: The Geisha Who Seduced the West, Downer tells the story of Japan's most notorious geisha—and its first international superstar—Sadayakko (1871-1946). This vivid biography is based on meetings with Sadayakko's family members, including her granddaughter, who granted rare access, and those who knew her intimately.
