The True Story Behind Memoirs Of A Geisha|The Life Of Mineko Iwasaki

Mineko Iwasaki was the most successful Geisha of her time before her shocking retirement at only twenty nine.
The Author of Memoirs of a Geisha Arthur Golden interviewed her for research promising that her name wouldn't be attached to his book in any way.
He then thanked her by name in the acknowledgements, causing her to receive immense backlash from her former industry as the book was an inaccurate portrayal of the world of Geisha.
This is Mineko's story, as she told it in her own fascinating Memoir, Geisha a Life, or Geisha of Gion.

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Intro music: Lady fingers by Herb Alpert

[indiascarlett]

Apologies for the mispronunciations, I did look most of them up but this video was made in two days and some recording was done before I had researched.
Thank you to everyone who corrected me!

[evelynwald]

So glad that this popped up in my YouTube feed as I didn’t know that Mineko Iwasaki had written her own story to correct the story of Memoirs of a Geisha. Based on what you have provided, her true story is even more fascinating than the book and or the movie, both of which I have read, watched and enjoyed. Thank you for this, I will now read the book and you have a new subscriber.

[Keiichi]

I really wish her true story got just as much exposure than the movie that it deserves.

[aelisei]

I had no idea Mineko Iwasaki hadn't agreed and was opposed to the book. I'm going to look for her memoirs now, thank you so much for speaking about this! 🤗🙏

[nobodysbaby]

She looks so much happier in her marriage. I am glad life worked out for her

[KikyoSamaLover]

I do love Memoirs of a geisha and Sayuri is my comfort character, but I absolutely love and admire Mineko too and agree that Golden should have kept her private as he promised. Such a fascinating woman, I once even actually did a presentation about her for my history class!❤

[LizardsLore]

I am so happy you’re giving Mineko the credit she deserves! Her book is amazing!

[norahjones]

I stumbled upon her memoir shortly after the release of Memoirs of a Geisha. Not only is it beautifully written, but Mineko herself is such a fascinating person. I've read Geisha, A Life numerous times and I think I may have to give it another read after watching this

[Privykos]

I have her biography and it remains one of my favorites to this day. I always reread it every now and then because it's strangely comforting.

[ZoraXire]

one part of the book that always stuck with me was when she had a fan and some celebrity took it from her and autographed it, she thought he had ruined a beautiful piece of art and history (it was an antique). That always stuck with me because its not about vanity or fame, it's about expression and hard work that matters most in the end and are truly things to consider being beautiful to admire

[SKYxLoTuS]

The Inoue Yuki's book "Memoirs of a Geisha" and Mineko Iwasaki's book "Geisha: Life" ... Those books are so intense, powerful and REALLY explain the life (even as harder as you cannot imagine for someone who saw only the movie) of Geisha/Geiko.

[francescalynn]

Just from looking at her with no makeup, she is to me extremely beautiful with an impression of a great mother spirit and deeply wise/worldly beauty that can only emanate from how she thinks and how she carries herself. Someone who looks to have a pure heart, has the upmost respect of the profession AND really, a dedication to the highest form of it's art of the profession called Geisha. Thank you for letting the world know your journey.

[elle]

Iwasaki’s biography is my favorite book to this day. I found it in a Goodwill Bookstore when I was fourteen and something about her storytelling was so comforting to me. Like hearing your grandmother tell you about her life. I reread it every few years. So glad that her story is getting a little more attention

[richt]

This is a fantastic video. Thank you for posting it. As a student of Japanese culture. I learned about Japan from Japanese friends and from my father who was stationed in Japan back in the 1950s when he was in the army. And he got a different impression what Japan is like when he was there. That movies about Japan stereotype the Japanese into something less than what they are.
I had read the book geisha a life by mineko iwasaki. And through her eyes I understood more about the geisha. And I'm sorry she had problems with the writer of memoirs of a geisha Arthur Golden. I would like to leave a message here for Mineko -san saying thank you for allowing us to see a glimpse of the world of the geisha. And I will treasure her book.

[mrs.dalton]

I am SO happy someone made a video about this! I read Mineko's book years ago and it made me so mad that one of my favorite books/movies were ripped off of her life! Thank You!

[Ostsol]

I read her book last year. Once I heard about it, any interest I had in approaching Golden's book vanished. I'm glad I went this route. The true story is wonderfully compelling and educational. She is a remarkable woman.

[zoou]

Thank you for introducing us to the lady who inadvertently sharing her pearls with a fool. She is a very brave person who stood up and stood out for her contribution.

[lisaspikes]

The tradition of Geisha is fascinating. Although in modern times, we tend to look down on things like this. But the Geisha were actually talented businesswomen, at a time when most women were destined to only get married and have babies. It wasn’t an easy life, but compared to living in poverty at that time, it wasn’t so bad.
They used what they had to make a life for themselves. It’s honorable.

[Jules-]

After reading "Memoirs of a Geisha" I also knew the story of Mineko Iwasaki and am now almost finished her book. You have given a very faithful and enjoyable representation of her story. Geisha are fascinating as they look so other-worldly. The make-up and hairstyles horrify me as they are so artificial. The kimono, ornamentation and dancing are very beautiful.

[victoriafinnin]

What an incredibly respectful accolade to such an interesting lady. I can't wait to read this! She was a true artist, and these are rare.