Renowned throughout<\/b> the world as purveyors of beauty, mystery and allure, geisha have come to represent the epitome of Japanese elegance and chic. The rich 250-year history of these performance artists is vividly presented in this volume, taking the reader behind the mask-like makeup and into both the studios where they train and rehearse and the teahouses where they entertain. Geisha have altered definitions of feminine beauty and identity and are the prevailing icons of Japanese womanhood. Their influence on Japan’s decorative arts is documented by their beautiful kimono and hair ornaments and by the musical instruments and fans they use in their performances. The contributors to this book, all prominent specialists on Japanese culture, each consider a particular aspect of geisha tradition and aesthetics, from their music and dance to misperceptions of the profession by foreigners, from the portrayal of geisha as recurring characters in the theatre and film to profiles of talented women who choose this life and work today. Illustrated with woodblock prints and paintings as well as historical and contemporary photographs, this groundbreaking study also explores the dynamic tension between image and reality in the art of these exquisite entertainers. Geisha: Beyond the Painted Smile<\/i> is a comprehensive presentation of geisha culture from its origins nearly three centuries ago to contemporary Japan. Disciplined performance artists of supreme grace and beauty, geisha are unique ambassadors of Japan’s traditional culture.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
This volume provides a behind-the-scenes look at the life of the geisha and provides a comprehensive overview of geisha culture. There are contributions by many specialists on Japanese culture including Arthur Golden and Lisa Dalby.
‘Why do Geisha’s Exist?’ – Arthur Golden ‘A world Behind Cosed Doors’ – Lesley Downer ‘Identifying Geisha in art and Life: Is She Really a Geisha?’ – Andrew L. Maske ‘ First Encounters – Emerging Sterotypes: Westerners and Geisha in the Late Nineteenth Century’ – Allen Hockley ‘The Exotoc Geisha’ – Liza Dalby The Floating World Today: Photographs by Yoko Yamamoto – text by andre L. Maske ‘Performance and Play: The Art of Accomplishments of Geisha’ – Abdrew L. Maske ‘Geisha to the Fore: Niwaka Festivals and the New Luminaries of Edo’ – Money L. Hickman ‘Geisha on Stage and Screen’ – Peter M. Grilli<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":4180,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":""},"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[5485],"product_tag":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-4179","1":"product","2":"type-product","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"product_cat-photography","7":"author-edited-by-peabody-essex-museum","8":"publisher-george-braziller-inc","10":"first","11":"instock","12":"shipping-taxable","13":"purchasable","14":"product-type-simple"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n