In 1997, the book "Memoirs of a Geisha" was published. The circulation amounted to four million copies. The author of the book - Arthur Golden - instantly became famous throughout the world. The book was loved by millions of readers, but the woman, whose biography the author referred to when creating the image of the main character, the work caused a storm of indignation. Who served as the prototype of the character of the famous novel? What caused this man’s anger? Arthur Golden's book, Memoirs of a Geisha, is the topic of the article.
East and West
Who are geisha? Not every European can answer this question. Only one who studies the culture of Japan or is an expert on the traditions of the Land of the Rising Sun. Or read a book written by an American Japanese writer named Arthur Golden.
The attitude towards geisha in the mass consciousness of Europeans in the last century was neglectful. Representatives of this profession, according to the majority, were a standard of Japanese beauty. But the main duty of geishas is to entertain wealthy guests. So, they are beautiful, frivolous and do not have the habit to think about issues of morality. Fans of the novel created by Arthur Golden in the late nineties of the twentieth century will not agree with such statements. “Memoirs of a geisha” - the story of a woman educated, thinking, strong and, most importantly, capable of true love.
Book about japan
It would be unfair to say that before Arthur Golden wrote a best-selling book, the people of Europe and America were ignorant of Japanese national traditions. But nevertheless, it is precisely the Memoirs of a Geisha, and in most cases a film adaptation of this novel, that gave many people the true impression of the mores and traditions of the most mysterious and original people in the world.
Geisha translated from Japanese - "man of art." She wears a kimono, a specific make-up is applied to her face. But most importantly, a geisha knows how to maintain a conversation on an intellectual topic, knows how to conduct a tea ceremony, knows how to dance. At the same time, the representative of this profession never violates subordination in communication with guests.
It is impossible to write a book about Japan without deep knowledge in the history and culture of this country. Who is Arthur Golden? Why did he take the responsibility of setting out the story of one of the most famous geishas?
about the author
What else, in addition to the famous work, was written by Arthur Golden? His books are probably at the creation stage. To date, Golden's only creation is the novel, which is discussed in this article.
The writer became interested in Japanese culture as a student. At university, he studied the history of Asia and even mastered the complex Chinese dialect. He received a master's degree in 1980. Of course, Golden specialized in the history of art of Japan, but after graduation he went to Beijing. And only a few months later he ended up in Tokyo.
Trial
During her stay in the Japanese capital, Golden thought came to create a novel about one of the most amazing social and cultural phenomena of this country. But in order to write a work of fiction about the life of geishas, ​​it is not enough to know about them only what is said in historical literature. Golden luck smiled: he met one of the representatives of this profession.
After publishing the novel, a woman named Mineko Iwasaki sued the writer. It was her who relied on the author, creating a portrait of the geisha Sayuri. What caused Iwasaki's discontent? Geisha with many years of experience claimed that Golden disclosed personal information, which caused the anger of the former patrons of the Japanese beauty.
Mineko Iwasaki
At one time, she was the highest paid geisha in Japan. Iwasaki left the profession at the age of twenty-nine. At the heart of Golden's novel is the story of this woman. Iwasaki told the writer about her life, but only on condition that her name would not be mentioned in the novel. Golden did not keep his promise.
In the preface to the novel, the author named both her name and many others. In addition, the geisha was outraged by the lie, which, in her opinion, was present in the work of the American writer. Mineko Iwasaki never sold her virginity, and she called the chapters of the novel about the Mizuage slander.
Litigation ended in reconciliation. The writer paid Iwasaki an amount the size of which remained a mystery.
Reviews
What is the reason for the popularity of a book about a Japanese woman? Why did European readers love the work created by the American writer Arthur Golden?
“Memoirs of a geisha” tells of the difficult fate of a girl from a poor family. The disposition of the inhabitants of Japan is incomprehensible to the inhabitants of the USA, France, Germany or Russia. The book reveals the unknown aspects of life in the Land of the Rising Sun. And that is why the work captures from the first pages. The advantages of the novel also include a light narrative style. And most importantly, a lot of interesting facts. However, one who has studied the history of Japan and has lived in this amazing country for many years is likely to find flaws in Golden's prose.
Real memoirs
In response to Golden's sensational novel, Mineko Iwasaki wrote her memories. She called the book "Real Memoirs of a Geisha." The work of Iwasaki did not gain wide popularity. Rather, her book was of interest to readers because it was a consequence of the conflict of the former geisha and the author of the famous novel. Golden's Memoirs are written in good literary language. There may be less truth in them than in Iwasaki’s composition, but for readers the priority is an exciting plot, and not how much it describes events that happened in reality.