Review of Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

**Review of Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden**

Memoirs of a Geisha (1997) by Arthur Golden is a beautifully written historical novel that offers a captivating glimpse into the world of geisha in early 20th-century Japan. Told through the eyes of Sayuri, a fictional geisha, the novel traces her transformation from a poor, rural girl named Chiyo into one of the most celebrated and sought-after geishas in Kyoto. Golden intricately weaves a tale of love, rivalry, societal constraints, and the pursuit of personal freedom within the highly structured and rigid world of geisha culture.

Set against the backdrop of historical events such as the Japanese invasion of China, the rise of World War II, and Japan’s post-war recovery, Memoirs of a Geisha is more than just a personal story—it is an exploration of identity, sacrifice, and the complex intersection of art and commerce in traditional Japanese culture. Golden captures the mystique of the geisha world while also exposing the often painful realities that underlie the beauty and elegance of its surface.

Themes in Memoirs of a Geisha

The Struggle for Identity and Autonomy: A central theme in Memoirs of a Geisha is the struggle for personal identity and autonomy in a world that restricts freedom, particularly for women. As Chiyo transforms into Sayuri, she learns that being a geisha is not simply about mastering the arts of conversation, dance, and music, but about living up to the expectations placed upon her by the oiran (head geisha), the mizuage (virginity auction), and her patronage. She must balance her personal desires with her duty to entertain and satisfy the desires of men who pay for her services. Sayuri’s internal battle between wanting to retain her dignity and integrity while performing in a world that demands she lose herself in the process is a poignant exploration of self-worth and self-ownership.
Love and Sacrifice: Sayuri’s emotional journey is marked by an intense and often painful longing for the Chairman, a man she falls in love with early in the story. Her love for him is an example of the unattainable, as she is forced to suppress her feelings for him and sacrifice personal happiness for the ambition and success of her career. Sayuri’s complex relationship with love—particularly her feelings of love as both a form of beauty and a curse—explores the sacrifices made by those who, like geishas, must subjugate personal desires to their social roles. The theme of sacrifice also extends to the geisha system itself, where women must trade emotional and personal fulfillment for financial and social success.
Beauty, Art, and the Illusion of Perfection: A key theme in the novel is the relationship between beauty, art, and illusion. Sayuri’s physical beauty is the first quality that brings her attention, but it is her artistic abilities that define her as a successful geisha. However, the beauty that geishas must cultivate is often a facade, one that is shaped and controlled by the world around them. The novel touches on the idea that beauty can both empower and entrap, as Sayuri must perform this illusion of perfection in order to succeed while feeling the weight of it in her personal life. The artistic expression of a geisha becomes not only a form of entertainment but also an essential tool for survival and self-expression within the rigid confines of her world.
Socioeconomic Class and the Hierarchy of the Geisha World: Memoirs of a Geisha also explores the deeply entrenched class structures of Japanese society, particularly within the geisha world. Sayuri starts as a poor fisherman's daughter and, as she becomes a geisha, learns to navigate the complex and competitive world of geisha ranking. The mizuage ceremony, in which a young geisha’s virginity is auctioned off to the highest bidder, symbolizes the economic realities of the geisha system, where a woman’s worth is often determined by her social and financial success. Golden contrasts the experiences of different women in the geisha world to reveal the social stratification that governs their lives, including the rivalry between Sayuri and Hatsumomo, a jealous and bitter geisha who represents the dark side of the geisha hierarchy.
Cultural Transformation and Historical Change: The novel takes place during a period of profound social and cultural transformation in Japan, from the height of the geisha tradition to the political and economic upheavals of the Second World War and the American occupation of Japan. The decline of traditional Japanese culture and the advent of modernity deeply affect the lives of the geishas, as their role in society evolves. Sayuri, who embodies the last vestiges of old Japan, must navigate a world where the geisha tradition is increasingly irrelevant in the face of economic and political change. The backdrop of historical events is crucial to understanding Sayuri’s personal growth and the broader decline of the geisha system.

Character Roles in Memoirs of a Geisha

Sayuri (Chiyo): Sayuri, originally named Chiyo, is the protagonist of the novel, and her journey is one of transformation and self-discovery. From her humble beginnings in a fishing village, Sayuri rises to become one of the most famous and sought-after geishas in Kyoto. Her life story is one of survival, resilience, and eventual empowerment as she learns to navigate the complexities of the geisha world. Her emotional journey, particularly her love for the Chairman, represents her internal struggle between self-sacrifice and personal happiness. Sayuri’s character also embodies the tension between the traditional role of a woman and the desire for personal agency.
The Chairman: The Chairman is the object of Sayuri’s affection throughout the novel. Though he is never a central character in the narrative, his influence on Sayuri’s life and her choices is profound. He represents both the ideal and the unattainable love, being a figure of power, compassion, and mystery. His relationship with Sayuri is complex, as he is unaware of her true feelings for him and is already romantically involved with someone else. He serves as a symbol of the love that Sayuri sacrifices for her career, and his role in her life underscores the theme of unrequited love and the pain that often accompanies it.
Hatsumomo: Hatsumomo is a key antagonist in the novel, a geisha who is beautiful but cruel, and who becomes jealous of Sayuri’s rising fame. She represents the darker, more destructive side of the geisha world. Hatsumomo is initially presented as a woman who manipulates and uses others to maintain her position, and her rivalry with Sayuri highlights the competition and jealousy inherent in the geisha system. Her cruelty is a direct reflection of the limitations and emotional tolls that come with living in such a structured and competitive world.
Mother (Auntie): The Mother, or Auntie, is a key figure in Sayuri’s life, and her character is symbolic of the complex relationships between the geishas and their handlers. As a former geisha herself, Auntie is an authoritative figure who provides guidance to Sayuri, but also has her own ambitions and motivations. Auntie’s role in Sayuri’s life highlights the mentor-mentee relationships that exist in the world of geishas, where older women pass down the knowledge and practices that will help the younger ones succeed.
Nobu: Nobu is a businessman and a trusted confidant of the Chairman, and while he plays a smaller role, his presence represents the relationship between love and business in the world of the geisha. He is loyal and honorable, though his relationship with Sayuri is more complicated than it first appears. Nobu’s feelings for Sayuri are genuine, yet he is hindered by his physical disfigurement. His character embodies the dynamics of attraction and commitment in a world where emotions are often entangled with financial and social realities.