Mr. Nakamura was born in Kyoto; his family is in the restaurant business; and his brother owns one of the most renowned restaurants in Japan. Mr. Nakamura arranged for us to have a traditional Japanese dinner, hosted by an authentic Geisha. This is a rare experience few Japanese have ever experienced. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you, Mr. Nakamura.
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According to Arthur Golden's absorbing first novel, the word "geisha" does not mean "prostitute," as Westerners ignorantly assume--it means "artisan" or "artist." To capture the geisha experience in the art of fiction, Golden trained as long and hard as any geisha who must master the arts of music, dance, clever conversation, crafty battle with rival beauties, and cunning seduction of wealthy patrons. After earning degrees in Japanese art and history from Harvard and Columbia--and an M.A. in English--he met a man in Tokyo who was the illegitimate offspring of a renowned businessman and a geisha. This meeting inspired Golden to spend 10 years researching every detail of geisha culture, chiefly relying on the geisha Mineko Iwasaki, who spent years charming the very rich and famous.
