American author Arthur Golden interviewed her for background information when writing his 1997 book, Memoirs of a Geisha. [1] Iwasaki later regretted interviewing for Golden, having cited a breach of ...

Contrary to popular belief, geishas were not prostitutes or courtesans. The word “geisha” literally means “person of the arts.” These women entertained guests at banquets called ozashiki in the homes ...

Misconceptions about geisha that stem from highly sensationalized stories from Western perspectives flatten the complex cultural artistry of the profession. Detail of a Katsura, a geisha wig.