I really enjoyed the first half or two-thirds of this book. After that, I think I just got to the point where there was so much information that it was losing me. However, I did finish the book--only to find that it has another one of those "drop-off" endings that I find to be so common for Asian stories. This is definitely THE resource for anyone interested in geishas and other aspects of Japanese culture. I am curious as to how "off" her information is...now that it's been 40 years or so since the info. was gathered, 35 years since the book was written, and almost 20 years since the revision. This book sheds a whole new light on Memoirs of a Geisha, which I should probably go back and reread now that I have some more background on the lifestyle. ( )

Excellently written and researched book about the little known world of the geisha. Thorough and interesting...good companion to the "Memoirs of a Geisha" book. ( )

This was an excellent read! Far from dry and stuffy, Dalby has managed to convey the world of the Geisha in an entertaining and personal way. Her integration into the world also allowed a more in depth analysis - more than if she had simply been an outside observer. It is a shame that this profession is linked to the seedier side of paid companionship and entertainment, as there is true art and an acknowledgement of nature and ritual, central to life within even modern Japan. ( )

Very interesting to explore this world. An American point of view. I'd recommend Geisha: a life by Mineko Iwasaki for a Japanese view. ( )

Since I am interested in anything that comes from the orient, I could not walk past this book. I bought it several years ago and read it with great pleasure.
I loved being given a look behind the scenes, learn how geisha's are trained, how hard they work and also what geisha's are and what they do. It really was an interesting read.

Does qualify for re-read, but not in the near future :-) ( )