The Life of a Geisha. Memoirs of the Most Famous Geisha in the World

"A geisha is constantly in the spotlight. Her task is to please the audience, using all the skills she has in her arsenal. She is like a graceful willow, bending to serve and creating a light and relaxed mood among those around her. A true geisha is never alone.

I, by nature, have always been a stubborn and headstrong being, valuing solitude above all else in the world. I spent most of my early childhood hiding in a dark pantry. I did not need other people—I wanted to be by myself.

Strange, isn’t it? It seems I deliberately chose the most difficult path along which I only fought with myself."

At times a heart-wrenching, awe-inspiring, and absolutely true story of the life of the most famous woman in Japan. Mineko Iwasaki became a geisha at the age of five. She was worshipped by kings, princes, military leaders, and statesmen. She became one of the most respected geishas in the history of Japan, but she had to pay a very high price for her incredible life.