Memoirs of a Geisha

[Andy]

Has anyone read this book? I have read very few novels (I prefer technical books and magazines) but I am hooked on this. It is partly because I live in walking distance of a Geisha district in Japan and felt the urge to learn more about this aspect of history.

But also, I am thinking to provide tours of this area with a real experience of meeting an apprentice Geisha in the evening for Sake and entertainment.

[12noon]

It's not something i would read. Haven't they made a movie about it though ?

[SensoVision]

I'm not fan of novels either, in childhood I've read detectives but currently my only books are technical ones. Although movie made a big impression on me so maybe I'll read it one day as well, as movies sometimes doesn't reflect all the depth of the book.

But also, I am thinking to provide tours of this area with a real experience of meeting an apprentice Geisha in the evening for Sake and entertainment.

aren't this business already exist?

[TexasLady]

Yes I read the book and then saw the movie.    Actually, I really enjoyed the book and it definitely laid to rest some misconceptions on the activities of the geisha in history.   

The movie seemed to stick pretty closely to the book IMO.   

But I cannot imagine living the life of a geisha in the modern world... it has changed so much.   

It would be interesting if you could provide those tours for tourists from the Englishman's perspective, Andy.   I'm sure tourists would enjoy it very much.   Do you have a lot of tourists in your area?

[Andy]

I haven't seen the movie but I will try and catch it sometime. The book has so much detail that I would expect alot to be left out.

There are plenty of tourists in my area due to the many attractions such as the castle, the gardens, the samurai and geisha district tourist areas with the old buildings, the arts and crafts, the cherry blossom, the festivals, the food and many more things.

aren't this business already exist?

Yes. That is a good thing which proves there is a demand. I can improve on what is already on offer. Plus I can promote my tours internationally via the web and cut out the middlemen. Speaking English, having a Japanese wife, living in a traditional house and being close to the action is a great advantage too. In the UK I think it is still rare to consider a holiday to Japan so I think there is a huge untapped market. Tokyo is not such a great place to visit if you dislike busy cities. It is so congested with people and too big.

[SensoVision]

Andy, so you plan to offer them a life in your house for some time? As living in traditional Japanese house is really sounds appealing. Also promoting such services seems to work as I've seen a lot of sites offering similar services but in other places.

[Andy]

Andy, so you plan to offer them a life in your house for some time?

I assume you mean the tourists rather than the Geisha?

The idea was to culminate the walk with a tea ceremony and then the tourists would be walked back to their hotel.

As living in traditional Japanese house is really sounds appealing.

It sounds better than it is  They are too cold in winter and too hot in summer. I am looking forward to getting a Canadian-style home built. Not for a while though.

btw. today I started painting the outside of the house to try and make it look like a Geisha residence. A nice dark red color for the previous yellowish plaster and dark bronze for the tin roof panels. I need to finish the wood with the temple-like red/brown wood stain I used. I got some funny looks from passers by since the trend here is to let buildings rot and rebuild with new ones. DIY home improvement is very rare. My landlady doesn't mind what we do to the house since it will be demolished once we move out. So great fun!

[Andy]

I took a few pictures of Geiko as they are popularly known now. Here are 3 modern Geikos:

www.geishawalk.com - this is a ceremony where sweets are tossed into the crowd and lucky people can grab one. I think they were rice crackers though since the wind stopped them being thrown very far. I have lots more pictures which I hope to post on this site when I get a chance.