Memoirs of a Geisha

Brief Overview

«Memoirs of a Geisha» is a novel by Arthur Golden, first published in 1997. The story narrates the life of a Japanese geisha before, during, and after World War II. It is told from the perspective of Chiyo, a girl from a poor fishing village who is sold at a young age to a geisha house (okiya) in Kyoto's Gion district. Chiyo faces challenges adapting to life in the okiya, endures the hostility of the leading geisha Hatsumomo, but eventually becomes one of Kyoto's most renowned geishas under the name Sayuri. The book explores her journey to success, complex relationships, sacrifices, and the choice between personal happiness and professional duty. Themes of beauty, power, love, and betrayal are examined through the unique lens of geisha culture.