Educational Media Reviews Online

Geisha is a provocative and haunting look at the life of maiko and geisha. From the opening close-up of a maiko (geisha-in-training) putting on make-up to the slow-motion footage of traditional dance all accompanied by a simple, stark, western melody, Bailey conveys a mood of melancholy in her documentary. Many questions are raised by the conversations with the women who pursue this life as well as the men that patronized them; however, few of the questions are answered or explored in-depth. In this, Bailey succeeds in maintaining the mystery of geisha.

Not all geisha are equal. In Kyoto, geisha are expensive and their companionship is available to only wealthy, well-connected men. Geisha must complete a strict apprenticeship as maiko, living in well chaperoned housing, and learning never to seem tired, bored or annoyed. As they are expected to be able to dance, sing, and entertain, the maikos' days are filled with classes in dance, music, and the traditional tea ceremony. Their evenings are spent entertaining and pampering men. In areas outside of Kyoto, the cost of a geisha's company is within the reach of the average middleclass man. However, for these women there is no apprenticeship as maiko and the implication is that these geisha are not as refined or perhaps as desirable.

The documentary opens with Satohina, a 17 year old maiko who chose the geisha profession it seems because maiko are beautiful. Two other maiko and a geisha are also interviewed as well as five businessmen who patronize them. The interviews are in Japanese with English subtitles. It would have been interesting to hear the opinions of a larger sample of Japanese, particularly women outside of the field, on their thoughts and understanding of geisha.

This is a well-done film suitable for classes in multicultural studies, women's & men's roles, sexism, or art & artisans. As there is discussion of virginity and sex, this film is recommended, for high school or college collections. Liza Crihfield Dalby's book Geisha, an ethnographic study, is recommended for additional information on this subject.