Memories of a Geisha

Memoirs of a Geisha, published in 1997, tells the story of a geisha born in a poor fishing village in northern Kyoto toward the end of the Taishō period. Its author, Arthur Golden, studied Japanese art history, and the novel reflects that background—its portrayal of Japanese life and culture is carefully researched and convincingly drawn. I was able to read it without feeling anything was out of place.

A few years ago, a young foreign woman asked me about geisha. She kept saying “geisha, geisha…,” so I replied rather coldly, “I’m not interested in geisha, and most Japanese people have probably never met or spoken with one. It’s something from the past.” At the time, I hadn’t read this book yet, and I mistakenly assumed she was referring to some old Meiji‑era novel written by a foreigner.

When I finally read Memoirs of a Geisha, I realized that the book she had mentioned must have been this one. I imagine she had also seen the film adaptation.

Novels about Japan written by foreigners often feel strange or inaccurate to Japanese readers, but this one feels surprisingly natural—almost as if it had been written by a Japanese author. It is also quite accessible for English learners.

As for the characters, many Japanese readers probably imagine that the Chairman whom Sayuri loves resembles Konosuke Matsushita, the founder of Panasonic. “Nobu” is an unusual name in Japan, and although he is described as a one‑armed, unattractive man, he was played by Kōji Yakusho in the film—Yakusho is certainly not unattractive. And Zhang Ziyi, of course, is beautiful.

I have never been to Gion. One January, after a meeting in Itami, I secretly went to Gion. Just as I arrived at Sanjō Station, my wife emailed me to say that our elder daughter had gone into labor. After walking through Ponto‑chō and Gion, I hurried to the hospital.



Ponto-cho

the Kamo river

along the Shirakawa Stream

the Shirakawa Stream

Gion

Gion Geisha School


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