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Memoirs of a Geisha is a historical fiction novel by American author Arthur Golden, published in 1997. The novel, told in first person perspective, tells the story of Nitta Sayuri and the many trials she faces on the path to becoming and working as a geisha in Kyoto, Japan, before, during and after World War II .
Jul 2, 2014 · As Gion was the scene of much of the drama in “Memoirs of a Geisha” – the popular novel and film that reignited global interest in geisha culture – it’s not surprising that many tourists ...
- 9 min
- Lucy Dayman
- Shirakawa. Gion Shirakawa Canal. Sometimes the best way to explore a city is to just dive in head-first; no plan, no itinerary, just feet on the pavement, eyes open wide and propelled by an unquenchable curiosity.
- Hanami Lane. © Sodai Gomi / Creative Commons, Machiya in Gion. The entertainment district of Kyoto known as Gion has long been associated with geisha (or geiko, as they are known in Kyoto) and traditional Japanese arts.
- Shijo Dori. © Calamity Sal / Creative Commons, Shijo Dori.
- Teahouses. © Tianshu Liu. If there’s one style of establishment responsible for shaping Kyoto, it would without a doubt have to be the tea house. Known in Japanese as ochaya (お茶屋), tea houses have forever been places of relaxation, contemplation and cultural appreciation.
- Yasaka Shrine. The vast and colorful Yasaka Shrine, or Yasaka-jinja as it is called in Japanese, was established as early as the year 656. Yasaka is the guardian shrine of the Gion entertainment district in Kyoto, which you are about to explore.
- Hanamikoji Geisha Street. Hanamikoji Street is a charming picturesque street lined with “ryotei”, posh high-class traditional Japanese restaurants. These luxurious restaurants are pricey, and many of them require an invitation and reservation and are for Japanese only.
- Gion Tatsumi Bridge. The cute red Gion Tatsumi Bridge (called Tatsumi-bashi in Japanese) crosses the small Shirakawa canal. The canal ends up in the broader Kamo River.
- Kanikakuni Monument. As you stroll along the Shirakawa Canal, you will notice a large rock just next to the water with white markings engraved on the surface.
Memoirs of a Geisha is a 2005 American epic period drama film directed by Rob Marshall and adapted by Robin Swicord from the 1997 novel of the same name by Arthur Golden.
The plot of Memoirs, in brief, is: Chiyo, a girl from a poor family in a fishing village, is sold to a geisha house (okiya) in Kyoto. For years she struggles as a maid in the okiya and is subjected to brutal treatment (largely at the hands of Hatsumomo, a senior geisha jealous of the pretty Chiyo).
Intro. Plot. Summary & Analysis. Themes. Quotes. Characters. Symbols. Theme Viz. Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on Memoirs of a Geisha makes teaching easy. Ask LitCharts AI: The answer to your questions. Get instant explanations to your questions about anything we cover. Powered by LitCharts content and AI. Learn More.
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