Geisha by Lesley Downer
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.With Geishas on the brink of extinction, it is ironic that they have inspired two bestsellers. The accretion of detail in Downer's history gives it the edge on Arthur Golden's imaginative Memoirs of a Geisha. We learn about the fashion for blackened teeth, male geishas, the titillating effect of the unpainted nape of the geisha's neck and the chilling role of the professional deflowerer. "It looks pretty outside," says one of the geishas. "But inside it's harsh. I want to be an English teacher."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments