Geisha Eiko

Seiji Tanizaki "Geisha Eiko" — how do we imagine Japanese women? A luxurious flower, blossomed on tatami or on a futon, a refined, delicate being, created only to bring joy to men, to serve them, and to delight the eye. Judging by ancient texts such as "The Tale of Genji" or "The Diary of Izumi Shikibu", they were indeed so during the Heian period. But in the early 20th century, everything changed. It turns out that these flowers had hidden sharp thorns. Japanese writer Seiji Tanizaki in his novel "Geisha Eiko" writes about a strong, passionate woman who does not accept the slightest compromises in her love, and about men mired in everyday life, entangled in family quarrels, indecisive and cowardly.

Seiji Tanizaki (1890–1971) is the younger brother of the famous Tanizaki Jun'ichirō. He began his literary career under the influence of his famous brother and, as a writer, achieved great success. He wrote more than forty novellas and stories, and also gained fame as an expert on English literature and as an excellent translator.

Translation from Japanese by A.A. Leyfert