My dear reader,

I’m so eager to recommend you this month’s book. As I’ve only recently learned by doing my own research on the book, it sparked more than a bit of controversy. Before we get into the heart of it, let’s take a quick look at the journey we’ve been on so far.

Where We’ve Been

So far, we’ve traveled from Ancient Rome, to 19th century Montana, to 17th century Africa (to name only the starting points of each of the books I’ve recommended so far). And it’s been quite a ride. The one topic that connected them was colonialism, its history and effects. But we also explored the adjacent topic of perspective and cultural perception. This month’s book continues that thread—in a culture that may feel even more distant and mysterious to many Western readers.

Sayuri’s World: Story and Structure

Arthur Golden’s novel Memoirs of a Geisha tells the story of a young girl from an impoverished family who is sold by her parents to the district of Gion in Kyoto. But until a very fateful moment that will change the trajectory of her life—the moment she meets the Chairman—her outlook is uncertain at best. The girl is eventually found and mentored by an older Geisha who takes her under her wing and helps her to become a Geisha.

Sayuri’s story is told in the style of a memoir and in the first person singular. That way, we see the world through her eyes. At the same time, telling the story in retrospect also allows present-day Sayuri to comment and interpret on her life’s events. While first person singular is a far more intimate perspective than third person, it’s also less well-rounded in the sense that we only see what the narrator brings up and what information they are privy to themselves. That unique lens—intimate yet incomplete—stayed with me, especially as I revisited the book years after my first encounter.

Through My Lens: First and Second Encounters

The first time I picked up Memoirs of a Geisha must have been around 2005—when the movie came out. I remember reading the book first, but admittedly my memory of both the novel and the movie were rather obscure. Which made re-reading it all the more enjoyable. What I do remember is that—back then—I thought the book an interesting picture of a Geisha’s life. Of course, I knew little about what a Geisha was and even less about the history of Japan.

Re-reading the story now, I started to wonder whether an author from a different cultural background could, even in light of all their research and their intimacy with the country and its traditions, truly grasp and properly reflect a culture that is so foreign to the Western World. Personally, I have not yet found an answer. And as it turns out, I’m not alone in wrestling with this question. The book’s reception—particularly in Japan—was far from uncomplicated.

From the Outside Looking In: A Cultural Controversy

When I started reading more about the book and about Geishas I learned that the publication of the book—as well as the movie a couple of years later—caused a scandal in Japan. It seems that both book and movie were found to be a misrepresentation of Japanese and Geisha culture. This criticism was also tied to a legal dispute: one of Golden’s key sources, former geisha Mineko Iwasaki, sued him for breach of confidentiality and later published her own memoir to counter his portrayal. In the West, the book was largely celebrated as an authentic glimpse into a hidden world—highlighting the stark difference in reception between Japanese and international audiences. I wonder whether a verdict such as this is too harsh. But you may be the judge of this.

There’s More to Explore

If you’re curious to dig deeper or form your own opinion, here are a few starting points.

Articles & Essays

Movies & Documentaries

Entering the Willow World by Yourself

If this story sparked thoughts, memories, or questions—I’d love to hear them. Just hit reply and say hi, share your take, or let me know what you’re currently reading.

If you’d like to help keep the lantern lit on this journey through time and story, you’re warmly invited to visit my Contribee page. Think of it as dropping a coin in the storyteller’s hat—no pressure, just a small gesture of appreciation.

And if you know someone who loves to get lost in good stories and explore the world through books, feel free to pass this newsletter along. There’s always room for a fellow traveler.

See you at the next campfire,
Kalypso