{"product_id":"geisha-women-of-japans-flower-willow-world-9780764321535","title":"Geisha: Women of Japan's Flower \u0026 Willow World","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is the most comprehensive assembly of historic geisha images ever compiled in a book. Over 500 exquisite views - drawn from postcards produced primarily between 1900 and 1940 - illustrate the rarified world of Japans now-extinct licensed pleasure districts. Soon after the West pried open Japans doors in 1853  stories about Japan began to circulate wildly through Victorian societies. Geisha quickly attained folkloric status as both imagery  widely traveled stage productions  and titillating novels spread their fame  and postcards bearing their images circulated the globe. Enter a world dripping in symbolism  elevated by accomplishment. For the Westerner  it is a world of exotic misconceptions  characterized by a male fantasy of the submissive Asian beauty devoted to his pleasure. Equally exotic to the average Japanese  Geisha embody the highest level of a proud culture. Geisha are accomplished in music  letters  and the intricate art of the tea ceremony. Epitomizing feminine grace and beauty  geisha are always carefully adorned  every hair oiled into place  and every step and gesture perfectly executed. The comprehensive text introduces historical background about the talented geisha entertainers and other women who were indentured in virtual slavery within the famed and idealized \"Flower and Willow World.\" High-class prostitutes  as well as lowly tea servers are pictured  and the life of early 20th century women in Japan is explored. The symbolic kimono  poses  and accouterments of the women photographed are explained in captioning that will help to open the eyes of many Westerners to Japanese culture  and help to debunk misconceptions regarding the status and nature of geisha. For the Japanese historian  this is the best source of original imagery ever assembled within two covers about Geisha. For anyone with even a casual interest in this utterly unique culture  this book will prove a captivating page turner. .\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45647566700597,"sku":"ByrdShop_0764321536","price":36.12,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780764321535.jpg?v=1781693201","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/geisha-women-of-japans-flower-willow-world-9780764321535","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}