DOCSLIB.ORG

Deconstruction on Feminism in Arthur Golden's Geisha

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Deconstruction on Feminism in Arthur Golden's Geisha DECONSTRUCTION ON FEMINISM IN ARTHUR GOLDEN’S GEISHA A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Sarjana Humaniora in English and Literature Department of the Faculty of Adab and Humanities of UIN Alauddin Makassar By RIDHA SYAFRIANY RIDWAN Reg. No. 40300106056 ENGLISH AND LITERATURE DEPARTMENT ADAB AND HUMANITIES FACULTY ALAUDDIN STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY MAKASSAR 2010 PERNYATAAN KEASLIAN SKRIPSI Dengan penuh kesadaran, penyusun yang bertanda tangan dibawah ini, menyatakan bahwa skripsi ini benar adalah hasil karya penyusun sendiri, dan jika dikemudian hari terbukti ia merupakan duplikat, tiruan, plagiat, atau dibuat oleh orang lain secara keseluruhan ataupun sebagian, maka skripsi ini dan gelar yang diperoleh batal demi hukum. Makassar, Desember 2010 Penyusun, RIDHA SYAFRIANY RIDWAN NIM 40300106047 ABSTRACT Title : Deconstruction on Feminism in Arthur Golden’s Geisha Researcher : Ridha Syafriany Ridwan Reg number : 40300106056 Consultant I : Dr. H. Barsihannor, M. Ag Consultant II : Syahruni Junaid, S.S., M. Pd The main aim of this research is to find out the meaning of a true Geisha. The problem statements in this thesis are, (1) “how Arthur Golden represented a true Geisha in his work “, (2) “are there the changes of meaning of Geisha in the work of Arthur Golden “ This research is consisted of 35 chapters on the novel Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden as the sample. To get the data, this research used the feminism approach to deconstruct the meaning of true Geisha, because when we talked about women, one of theories which commonly appear is feminism. Besides that, the writer read the novel of Memoirs of a Geisha as the main source of the data, and then to analyze this data, the writer used descriptive method which described accurately the meaning of a true Geisha. The implication of this research is that in deconstructing the text, we could use our own interpretation to describe the text itself. This research tells us some meanings from a true geisha based on the novel. We can see that a true Geisha is totally different from the prostitute. Besides that, we also can see the meaning of Geisha is deconstructed in the novel between the common meaning and the interpretation of Arthur as the author of the novel. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Praise be just for the Almighty God, Allah swt Rabbil Alamin who has given His blessing to finish this thesis as one of the fulfillments of the requirement for the English and Literature Department, Adab and Humanities Faculty, Alauddin State Islamic State University of Makassar. Salawat and Salam are also given to the leader of the lightness, addressed to the final chosen religious messenger, the prophet Muhammad saw. The writer realizes that this thesis could not be completed without many attentions from other people. Therefore, the writer would like to render her greet and thank to following: The writer would like to devote her deepest and special thanks to her beloved parents Muh. Ridwan. N and Syamsiah. P for their sacrifice, care, and also their pray for all the success. Her great appreciation goes to Prof. Dr. Azhar Arsyad, MA, the Rector of State Islamic University of Alauddin Makassar and Prof. Dr. Mardan. M.Ag, the Dean of Adab and Humanities Faculty, State Islamic University of Alauddin Makassar. Unforgettable for her big thank and appreciation goes Dr. H. Barsihannor, M, Ag, as the first consultant and Syahruni Junaid, S.S.M, Pd, as the second consultant. A lot of thank are given to them for their great attention, suggestions, corrections and also their guidance to the writer in finishing her thesis. Also many thanks to, , Drs. Abd Muin, M.Hum the Head of English and Literature Department, Serliah Nur, S.pd., M.Hum.,M. Ed. The Secretary of English and Literature Department, for their guidance during my study at the Alauddin State Islamic University of Makassar. The most profound thanks to all lecturers of English and Literature Department and all staffs of Adab and Humanities Faculty, State Islamic University of Alauddin Makassar for their help, support, and guidance during my studies at State Islamic University of Alauddin Makassar. Her beloved big family for the help, advice, sacrifice, support and always motivate her in doing her thesis. Her great appreciate for brother Juanda who has given his best knowledge to make the writer understand in this thesis. Her best friends in AG3 without any exception. A lot of thank for all of them, for their solidarity, support, and kindness. Many thanks deliver to KISSA ADAB for all the support and the motivation. May Allah swt, The Almighty God, always bless us in anytime and anywhere Makassar, 2010 The writer TABLE OF CONTENTS TITLE PAGE .................................................................................. i PENGESAHAN SKRIPSI.............................................................. ii APPROVAL SHEET ...................................................................... iii PERNYATAAN KEASLIAN SKRIPSI ........................................ iv ABSTRACT .................................................................................... v ACKNOWLEGMENTS .................................................................. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................... ix CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION A. Background ................................................................. 1 B. Problem Statements ..................................................... 3 C. Objective of the Study .................................................. 3 D. Significance of the Study.............................................. 4 E. Scope of the Study ....................................................... 4 CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE A. Previous Findings .......................................................... 5 B. Synopsis of Memoirs of a Geisha .................................. 6 C. Bibliography of Arthur Golden...................................... 12 D. Geisha ........................................................................... 12 E. Deconstruction .............................................................. 17 F. Feminism ...................................................................... 18 CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY OF RESEARCH A. Kinds of Research ......................................................... 22 B. Research Object ............................................................ 22 C. Source of Data............................................................... 22 D. Data Collection Method ................................................ 22 E. Data Analysis Technique ............................................... 23 CHAPTER IV FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION A. Findings ....................................................................... 24 B. Discussions ................................................................... 27 CHAPTER V CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION A. Conclusions ................................................................... 50 B. Suggestions .................................................................. 51 GLOSSARIES ................................................................................. 52 BIBLIOGRAPHY ........................................................................... 54 APPENDIX CURRICULUM VITAE CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION A. Background Rees (1973: 11 – 13) gives idea that people learn literature to help them to understand another country and its people to appear in well educated, to pass an examination or simply to enjoy. Reading novel is enjoyable. It can give the reader some advantages as well. There is a relation between literature and our ordinary life. Still in Rees, (1973:3) mentioned that literature is a piece of writing, which expresses and communicates thought, feeling, and attitude toward life. It implies that, literature can deal with human activity or human expression. Kennedy (1983: 4) states that reading literary fiction is not a merely passive activity, but it demands both attention and insight–lending participation. Literature is commonly divided into many kinds of works. One of them is novel. Why the writer takes novel, because the research is talking about the novel of Memoirs of a Geisha. Therefore, the writer will quote some opinions about the novel below. Kennedy (1983: 180) broadly defines a novel as a book length story in prose, whose author tries to create the senses, that while we read, we experience actual life. A novel, as a fiction, is written based on the imagination of the author when his or her imagination emerges, moves and works after the author knows, feels, and inspects in everyday life. All sorts of event seen are processed, classified, and then expressed in a story. An author tells a story concerning people, their relationship and also their experience with others in a society to represent life in a novel. The concept or idea that comes from the author is going to convey to readers. In many cases, some events in fiction are usually related to author’s life and her/ his surroundings. Based on the explanation above, the writer concludes that through the literature, especially novel, man can get pleasure and enjoyment and also can learn and understand about many things in this life. Because all literature works has a close relationship with the society in the social life condition. They can influence the society’s attitude and life, and as the result of society, the condition can influence the development of the literature which is related to human life, such as social life
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Woman's Position in Memoirs of Geisha
    WOMEN’S POSITION IN MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA WRITTEN BY ARTHUR GOLDEN (1997): A FEMINIST APPROACH RESEARCH PAPER Submitted as a Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for Getting Bachelor Degree of Education in English Department by: NANANG MUHAMMAD MAHFUDH A 320 060 176 ENGLISH DEPARTMENT SCHOOL OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION FACULTY MUHAMADIYAH UNIVERSITY OF SURAKARTA 2010 APPROVAL WOMEN’S POSITION IN MEMOIRS OF GEISHA WRITTEN BY ARTHUR GOLDEN (1997): A FEMINIST APPROACH Research Paper Written by: NANANG MUHAMMAD MAHFUDH A 320 060 176 Had been approved by: Consultant I Consultant II (Dr. Phil. Dewi Candraningrum, S.Pd. M. Ed.) (Titis Setyabudi, S.S) ii WOMEN’S POSITION IN MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA WRITTEN BY ARTHUR GOLDEN (1997): A FEMINIST APPROACH Accepted by the Board Examiners School of Teacher Training and Education Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta On November, 2010 The Board of Examiners: 1. Dr. Phil. Dewi Candraningrum, S.Pd. M. Ed ( ) Chairperson 2. Titis Setyabudi, S.S ( ) Member I 3. Drs. H. Abdillah Nugroho M.Hum ( ) Member II School of Teacher Training Education Dean, Drs. H. Sofyan Anif, Msi. iii TESTIMONY In this occasion, the writer states that there is no work had been submitted to degree in any University in this research paper and as far as the writer concerns there is no work or opinion had been written or published by someone else except the written references which are referred in this paper and mentioned in the bibliography. If only there will be any incorrectness proven in the future in the writer’s statement above, the writer will be fully responsible for that.
    [Show full text]
  • Writing the Research Paper the Research Paper Is the Capstone Project of the English Composition Sequence. It Demonstrates the S
    Writing the Research Paper The research paper is the capstone project of the English composition sequence. It demonstrates the student’s understanding of the course objectives, serving as documentation that he or she is ready for the demands of the transfer institution and workplace in regard to managing information efficiently, analyzing and evaluating it accurately, and communicating it effectively. The paper’s primary purpose is to examine an issue from multiple perspectives and reach a research-driven conclusion based on the analysis and evaluation of evidence that represents those perspectives. Each claim the paper makes must have supporting evidence from multiple sources which are credible and relevant. Prior to the drafting process the student is required to compose a research proposal that identifies the focus of the research along with strategies and sources that will be employed. An annotated bibliography is also required. One Student’s Research Paper Experience For her research paper topic, Haley Akeson and her classmates are asked to choose a historical event and argue a claim about its consequences, supporting the claim with evidence that might change or alter the audience’s point of view. As one possibility for focusing the paper, Haley is encouraged to choose a Hollywood film that focuses on a historical issue and argue how accurately or ineffectively the film addresses the issue. After some deliberation, Haley chooses the film, Memoirs of a Geisha, released by Columbia pictures in 2005 and based on author Arthur Golden’s novel, published in 1997. In her proposal written prior to her research, Haley expresses her reasons for selecting her topic noting the misunderstanding that varying perspectives often present: Fascination with the differences of culture has always been a part of my life.
    [Show full text]
  • 2016TYCASE Program Web.Pdf
    TYCA-SE Friends and Colleagues, In 1982, the international community assembled in Knoxville, Tennessee to celebrate the World’s Fair. Over a period of 6 months, more than 11 million visitors toured a variety of exhibits created by 16 countries, all focused on the theme of “Energy Turns the World.” For a short time, the world’s nations gathered in Knoxville to showcase their best and brightest innovations. In 2016, we have asked you to join us in Knoxville for another auspicious gathering, the 51st annual TYCA-SE conference. Over the next three days, we will showcase the best and brightest teaching techniques that our Southeast region has to offer, all centered on the theme “Intentional Teaching Turns the World.” Just as the World’s Fair encouraged the exchange of cutting edge ideas, so, too, we hope to fire your creative spark with engaging sessions, fascinating speakers, and fantastic parties. Our theme’s play on that of the 1982 World’s Fair invites you to spend the next 72 hours considering the ways in which our profession provides enormous opportunity for positive influence and change. On behalf of the combined faculty of Pellissippi State Community College and Chattanooga State Community College, we want to welcome you to Knoxville, Tennessee for TYCA-SE 2016. The following pages are your guide to our 51st annual gathering. Within, you’ll find an exciting array of professional develop- ment and networking opportunities that will allow you to step away from the quotidian responsibilities of your academic semester. Please let us know if you have any questions or if there is anything we can do to enhance your experi- ence in Knoxville.
    [Show full text]
  • Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden Discussion Questions Taken From
    Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden Discussion Questions 1. Many people in the West think of geisha simply as prostitutes. After reading Memoirs of a Geisha, do you see the geisha of Gion as prostitutes? What are the similarities, and what are the differences? What is the difference between being a prostitute and being a "kept woman," as Sayuri puts it [p. 291]? 2. "The afternoon when I met Mr. Tanaka Ichiro," says Sayuri, "really was the best and the worst of my life" [p. 7]. Is Mr. Tanaka purely motivated by the money he will make from selling Chiyo to Mrs. Nitta, or is he also thinking of Chiyo's future? Is he, as he implies in his letter, her friend? 3. In his letter to Chiyo, Mr. Tanaka says "The training of a geisha is an arduous path. However, this humble person is filled with admiration for those who are able to recast their suffering and become great artists" [p. 103]. The word "geisha" in fact derives from the Japanese word for art. In what does the geisha's art consist? How many different types of art does she practice? 4. Does Sayuri have a better life as a geisha than one assumes she would have had in her village? How does one define a "better" life? Pumpkin, when offered the opportunity to run away, declines [p. 53]; she feels she will be safer in Gion. Is her decision wise? 5. How does Sayuri's status at the Nitta okiya resemble, or differ from, that of a slave? Is she in fact a slave? 6.
    [Show full text]
  • Women's Position in Memoirs of a Geisha Written by Arthur Golden
    WOMEN’S POSITION IN MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA WRITTEN BY ARTHUR GOLDEN (1997): A FEMINIST APPROACH RESEARCH PAPER Submitted as a Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for Getting Bachelor Degree of Education in English Department by: NANANG MUHAMMAD MAHFUDH A 320 060 176 ENGLISH DEPARTMENT SCHOOL OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION FACULTY MUHAMADIYAH UNIVERSITY OF SURAKARTA 2010 CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION A. Background of the Study The novel, "Memoirs of a Geisha", was written by Arthur Golden. Published in 1997 in the United States, it was a bestseller of the year. For a few years after reading it, Steven Spielberg worked on a film adaptation version of the book and was attached as the director. Being busy with other projects, Spielberg decided to drop the director title in early 2002. The project had a few other director candidates during 2002 and 2003 including Spike Jonze and Kimberley Peirce, and eventually settled with Rob Marshall (Chicago). Spielberg is now one of the producers of the film. Memoirs of a Geisha, published in 1997, is Arthur Golden's debut novel. The bestselling novel was a long time in the making, Golden spent more than ten years on the novel, throwing out the first two drafts before finding his "voice" in the first person account that was a publishing success. Golden was born in 1957 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to a family of journalists. His parents, Ben and Ruth, published the Chattanooga Times, and in the early 2000 his cousin, Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, published the New York Times. Golden's parents divorced when he was eight, and his father died five years later.
    [Show full text]
  • The Alienation and Manipulation of Geisha in Cultural Structures of Japan with Special Reference to Arthur Golden's Memoirs Of
    The Criterion: An International Journal in English Vol. 8, Issue-VIII, July 2017 ISSN: 0976-8165 The Alienation and Manipulation of Geisha in Cultural Structures of Japan with Special Reference to Arthur Golden’s Memoirs of a Geisha Smriti Thakur Ph.D Research Scholar Centre for Languages and Comparative Literature Central University of Punjab, Bathinda & Dr. Alpna Saini Associate Professor Centre for Languages and Comparative Literature Central University of Punjab, Bathinda Article History: Submitted-02/06/2017, Revised-18/07/2017, Accepted-19/07/2017, Published-31/07/2017. Abstract: Arthur Golden’s Memoirs of a Geisha is an account of Geisha’s life; a life of struggle, and surrounded by various artistic practices where Geisha have no time for themselves. Their life seems glamorous and exciting to the outside world, however, in reality, it is pathetic and an isolated one. The aim of this paper is to focus on the origin of Geisha tradition, which is considered as a cultural heritage of Japan. Simultaneously, the paper throws light on various issues such as the role of tradition, culture, history, economy, and prostitution which contribute to the marginalisation of Geisha in personal as well as social arenas. The paper also deals with the reasons which blur the distinction between Geisha tradition and prostitution. To facilitate the interpretation of Geisha tradition, cultural construction of gender roles has been taken into account. Keywords: Geisha, Tradition, Prostitution, Economy, Culture. Introduction: Arthur Golden’s Memoirs of a Geisha (1998) is a fictional account of Geisha’s life set in the Gion district of Kyoto between the 1930s and 1950s.
    [Show full text]
  • Reading Fiction for What It Is: Ideologies Vs Plot Devices in Arthur Goldenʼs Memoirs of a Geisha
    Hitotsubashi Journal of Arts and Sciences 58 (2017), pp.55-66. Ⓒ Hitotsubashi University READING FICTION FOR WHAT IT IS: IDEOLOGIES VS PLOT DEVICES IN ARTHUR GOLDENʼS MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA MARIE ORISE When Arthur Goldenʼs novel Memoirs of a Geisha was published in 1997, it became an overnight success. It stayed on the New York Times bestseller list for more than a year (Smith), and had sold four million copies in English and had been translated into 32 languages by June 2001 (Sims). The novel received critical acclaim worldwide, and inspired a successful eponymous Hollywood film released in 2005, whose worldwide box office sales amounted to 161.5 million USD (The Numbers). Goldenʼs tale of Sayuri, who is sold to a geisha house at a young age, but who overcomes all obstacles, becomes a star geisha, and wins an extramarital partnership with the man she has loved since girlhood, has been applauded by readers from different parts of the world. However, the authenticity of the presentations of Japanese culture as well as geisha culture in the novel has been questioned. Scholars and journalists alike have commented that Golden has had three barriers to overcome in writing the novel. Dinitia Smith observes: To write “Memoirs of a Geisha,” the fictional reminiscences of a geisha in Kyoto during the 1930ʼs and 40ʼs, Arthur Golden, a 42-year-old father of two, and an American at that, had to cross three great boundaries, gender, nationality and history. (Smith) Michiko Kakutani, writing for the ʻBooks of the Timesʼ column of The New York Times, describes
    [Show full text]
  • Historical Fiction for Children and Young People: Changing Fashions, Changing Forms, Changing Representations in British Writing 1934‐2014
    Historical Fiction for Children and Young People: changing fashions, changing forms, changing representations in British writing 1934‐2014 Ann Christine Clark This thesis is submitted for the qualification of Doctor of Philosophy School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics Newcastle University Resubmitted July 2015 Abstract In Language and Ideology in Children’s Fiction (1992) John Stephens forecast the demise of children’s historical fiction as a genre on the grounds that both history itself and the humanist values Stephens saw as underpinning historical fiction were irrelevant to young readers in postmodernity and intrinsically at odds with the attitudes and values of literary postmodernism. In fact, by the end of the millennium juvenile historical fiction was resurgent and continues to propagate humanist ideology. This study explores the changing nature and status of the genre as it has been published in Britain since Geoffrey Trease’s ground‐breaking Bows Against the Barons, a left‐wing retelling of the Robin Hood story, was published in 1934. Consideration is given to the relationship between cultural change and the treatment of the structure, themes, settings and characters that typically feature in historical novels for the young. The work comprises an Introduction and three themed case studies based on a character (Robin Hood), a historical period (the long eighteenth century), and a historical event (the First World War). The case studies are used both to chart changes in the nature, quantity, and reception of historical fiction and to demonstrate the extent to which writers have used historical narratives to explore concerns that were topical at the time the books were written.
    [Show full text]
  • Memoirs of a Geisha
    CHAPTER ONE The Little Fish Girl I wasn't born and brought up to be a Kyoto geisha. I wasn't even born in Kyoto. I'm a fisherman's daughter from a little town called Yoroido on the Sea of Japan. We lived in a tiny house, high above the sea, and my father smelled like the sea even after he washed. One day, many years ago, I was entertaining at a party in Kyoto and a man said he was in Yoroido only last week. I felt like a bird that has flown across the ocean and finds another bird that knows its nest. I couldn't stop myself-I said: "Yoroido! That's where I grew up." The man didn't believe me. "You can't mean it," he said, and laughed. "You, growing up in Yoroido! That's like making tea in a bucket." Well, I'd never thought of Yoroido as a bucket, though it's not pretty. In those days, the early 1930s, it had only one road leading to the Japan Coastal Seafood Company, which sold all the fish that my father and the other fishermen caught. My father was a very old man. I was twelve then, but from the day I was born I never looked like him at all. I always looked like my mother. We had the same strange eyes; you hardly ever saw eyes like ours in Japan. Instead of being dark brown like everyone rise's, my mother's eyes were a shining gray and mine are just the same.
    [Show full text]
  • The Portrayal of Beauty Standards in Arthur Golden's "Memoirs of a Geisha"
    The Portrayal of Beauty Standards in Arthur Golden's "Memoirs of a Geisha" Svalina, Viktoria Undergraduate thesis / Završni rad 2018 Degree Grantor / Ustanova koja je dodijelila akademski / stručni stupanj: Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences / Sveučilište Josipa Jurja Strossmayera u Osijeku, Filozofski fakultet Permanent link / Trajna poveznica: https://urn.nsk.hr/urn:nbn:hr:142:980460 Rights / Prava: In copyright Download date / Datum preuzimanja: 2021-09-30 Repository / Repozitorij: FFOS-repository - Repository of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Osijek Sveučilište J.J. Strossmayera u Osijeku Filozofski fakultet Osijek Dvopredmetni sveučilišni preddiplomski studij engleskoga jezika i književnosti i njemačkog jezika i književnosti Viktoria Svalina Prikaz standarda ljepote u Sjećanjima jedne gejše Arthura Goldena Završni rad Mentorica: izv. prof. dr. sc. Biljana Oklopčić Osijek, 2018. 1 Sveučilište J.J. Strossmayera u Osijeku Filozofski fakultet Osijek Odsjek za engleski jezik i književnost Dvopredmetni sveučilišni preddiplomski studij engleskoga jezika i književnosti i njemačkog jezika i književnosti Viktoria Svalina Prikaz standarda ljepote u Sjećanjima jedne gejše Arthura Goldena Završni rad Znanstveno područje: humanističke znanosti Znanstveno polje: filologija Znanstvena grana: anglistika Mentorica: izv. prof. dr. sc. Biljana Oklopčić Osijek, 2018. 2 J.J. Strossmayer University of Osijek Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Study Programme: Double Major BA Study
    [Show full text]
  • Symbolism in Arthur Golden's
    SYMBOLISM IN ARTHUR GOLDEN’S MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA RESEARCH PAPER Submitted as a Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for Getting Bachelor Degree of Education in English Department by: DIYAH WAHYU SAPTONINGRUM A 320 050 016 SCHOOL OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION MUHAMMADIYAH UNIVERSITY OF SURAKARTA 2009 CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION A. Background of the Study Literature is flow of thinking, and expression of feelings, thoughts, and ideas, which have been expressed into something permanent. Naturally, a literary work contains the nature of life and human experience of life. The author of literary work always tries to make the reader understand and feel, as they are involved in those experiences. Barnet (1963: 8) states “literary work also presents a special kind of delight and some short of truth in various factual proportions”. The researcher should make sure on the concern in comprehending the work of literature since to some extent all literary work is symbolic. Literary works, absolutely, which contain extreme theme is very rich of symbols. It means that all aspects, which have been presented by his extreme theme of novels, plays, poetry, and short story, are totally symbolic; there is no doubt about that ideas of workaday world, its decencies, passion, or rationale, are unwanted indeed are disturbing. Only two things counted, the first is the language itself: the linguistics structure of words, their connotation, sound, etymologies, etc. the second is symbol: the fire, ice, heaven, hell, sign, tools, soul life, death, wind, water, trees, animal, mountain, etc. explored and developed by all researchers around the world. The symbol is not arbitrary, and is more discovered than created by many authors.
    [Show full text]
  • Geisha Essay
    Xiu Ling Stein-Leonard November 30, 2017 Asian Conversation Professor Quimby Understanding the Geisha Community When hearing the word Geisha, I assumed young women who have been trained at a ​ ​ young age to be idealist women for Japanese men. However this idea of geisha is not accurate and quite demeaning. I knew geisha were trained women to “seduce” older men, and would ​ ​ dress up in lavish kimonos and had elaborate makeup. There is more than appearances that meet the eye. The knowledge that is engrained in a maiko such as traditional fan dances, tea ceremonies along with learning music travels with these girls for a very long time. For me, I always thought that geisha were high class courtesans who entertained their guest but ending the night with their host. After reading several novels that were written by geisha women I soon ​ ​ realized that the geisha community was quite detailed and complex. For example the ranking ​ ​ within the Okiya is as followed Shikomi, young girls who are events for the house, minarai, older ​ ​ ​ ​ girls who are servants to the geisha, maiko, apprentice geisha who are studying under a senior ​ ​ geisha and geisha, professional entertainers.However there are higher ranks such as atotori, who ​ ​ ​ ​ is the heiress for the house. From an outside point of view, it is hard to see the caste system, but when reading from several novels you see this complexity within the house.Even though there is ranking within the Okiya, there is also rankings of buildings where Geisha go. Such as Gion versus Suwa. Geisha are a symbol of Japanese culture and highly prized.
    [Show full text]