I did a very stupid thing here. Last night I wrote a piece that commented on Joi's and Marc's posts regarding Geisha's and Marc's conviction that the Japanese, through it's Geisha history, had elevated prostitution to a new art. Unfortunately, I accidentally pasted over the post in my zeal to get a new article posted to the blog. And without a backup of that post, I'm lost here to recreate it in the spirit of my idea and thoughts last night.
I won't try to recreate it. But I will highlight a few things that I do remember.
If he hasn't read it, Marc should read Golden's classic book
Memoirs of a Geisha. This book is amazing in the fact that is not only written by an American -- it's written by a man. I'd like to hear Joi's comments, if he's read it. I few Japanese friends have said good things about it. There are a couple good reviews here and here.
The other thing I said that while the international sex trade has fair or unfair spawned a reputation for many Asian countries. This may have contributed to Marc's perception of Geisha as prostitute. And as Joi duly notes, the definition and those acting under such a Geisha guise certainly may lead to lack of understanding and ignorance. But when approached from a historical point of view, and Golden's book traces the life of a Geisha from the point she is "sold" by her parents in the early 20's to the American occupation after WWII and beyond. By reading the book a reader will certainly see an intimate picture of a Geisha and most assuredly that picture won't look anything like a prostitute -- specially if you accept the commonly held definition as noted here.
But if there is interest in prostitution rather than history, I suggest you might find this years "Sex Worker Film & Video Festival" more stimulating than Golden's "Memoirs of a Geisha."
I did a very stupid thing here. Last night I wrote a piece that commented on 
If he hasn't read it, Marc should read Golden's classic book 
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