Can I read Women of the Pleasure Quarters : The Secret History of the Geisha on EtoBox?

Women of the Pleasure Quarters : The Secret History of the Geisha by Lesley Downer is a nonfiction available to read on EtoBox.

What is Women of the Pleasure Quarters : The Secret History of the Geisha about?

From critically acclaimed author and Japanese scholar Lesley Downer, an enchanting portrait of the mysterious world of the geisha. 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 Madama 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 a musical instruments; but above all, they are masters of the art of conversation, soothing the worries and stroking the egos of the 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 an

Who reads Women of the Pleasure Quarters : The Secret History of the Geisha?

Author

Lesley Downer

Publisher

Crown

Published

2002

Language

EN

ISBN

9781299095328

Category

nonfiction

Subjects

Memoir, Science, History

Rating

3.83 / 5 (783 ratings)

Updated

2026-03-14