The Secret History of a Vanishing World.
Ever since Westerners arrived in Japan, they have been intrigued by Japanese womanhood and, in particular, geisha. This fascination has spawned a wealth of extraordinary fictional creations, from Puccini's 'Madame Butterfly' to Arthur Golden's 'Memoirs Of A Geisha'. The reality of the geisha's existence, though, whether today or in history, has rarely been addressed.
Contrary to popular opinion, geisha are not prostitutes but, literally, "arts people". Their accomplishments might include singing, dancing or playing a musical instrument but, above all, they are masters of the art of conversation, soothing the worries of the highly paid businessmen who can afford their attentions with extreme skill and patience. It is this which imbues the geisha with such power - and which makes absolute secrecy such a crucial aspect of their lives.
