Geishas

Recently, I have been reading a novel called Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden. In this novel, Golden focuses on the main character, Sayuri, who is a geisha. Since the novel focuses on geishas, I thought it would be interesting to analyze the role of geishas in Japanese society and culture. Originally, I thought that geishas were prostitutes who put on white makeup and red lipstick. Yet, my opinion was contradicted by this novel because it depicted geishas as dexterous and clever beings. Therefore, I will analyze the characters of Sayuri, Mameha, Pumpkin, and Hatsumomo who were all geishas. Sayuri is the main character of the novel and becomes a geisha after meeting the Chairman. She admits that she’d set her “sights on becoming a geisha only to win the affections of the Chairman” which seems like a pretty shallow reason (421). Yet, Sayuri is deeply attached to the profession as a geisha because through this job she found herself. She realizes that life is like water. She claims, “But now I know that our world is no more permanent than a wave rising on the ocean. Whatever our struggles and triumphs, however we may suffer them, all too soon they bleed into a wash, just like a watery ink on paper” (428). Through her take on life, we can infer that she has a complex relationship with her profession as a geisha. She claims “the afternoon when I met Mr.Tanaka Ichiro really was the best and worst of my life” (7). The day she met Mr. Tanaka led to her eventual journey into becoming a geisha. Therefore, Sayuri expresses that becoming a geisha was a blessing but also a curse. Her job as a geisha was a blessing she was able to learn many forms of art such as dance and music. Also, she was able to interact with powerful men which taught her the art of socialization. Through this education and socialization, Sayuri was able to become independent and well-informed enough to survive the cruel and harsh world. However, her profession as a geisha also took away her humanity since she was controlled by Mother and men such as Nobu, the General, and Dr. Krab. Next, Mameha views the profession of a geisha as survival. She is extremely realistic and even gives advice to Sayuri by saying “you must be sure that men’s feelings remain always under your control” (295). Therefore, Mameha is very crafty and intelligent so she can control the powerful men around her. Also, she puts her personal feelings aside in order to provide a better life for herself. Meanwhile, Pumpkin and Hatsumomo view the profession of geisha as a way to get what they want. In order words, they became geishas out of greed. Hatsumomo obviously does not take her job seriously as a geisha since she an affair with a married man and drinks excessively. She does not know how to control the men around her and is instead controlled by the men which drives her to madness. Pumpkin is also persuaded to become a geisha in order to elevate her status in Japan. Therefore, she betrays Sayuri in order to advance herself in the geisha industry. Overall, the profession of geisha in Japan is a vital part to Japanese culture and to some people's individuality.