Concubines, courtesans and geishas
A reviewer of The Last Concubine in the highly respected Literary Review wrote: ‘The author, who lived in Japan for many years, has published non-fiction accounts of the lives of the geishas, and capitalises on recent Western interest in their esoteric, vanished world with her detailed depiction of Sachi’s life in the rarefied harem.’ I’m very grateful for the review - but I have to point out that my book has nothing to do with geishas. A Spanish journalist also wrote to me: ‘Your book “Madame Sadayakko” was a success. Now you return to the topic of the geishas. Why are you so fascinated about this world?’ and ‘How was the life of a geisha in the Palace of the Women?’
Geishas and concubines have absolutely nothing in common other than being Japanese women.
The Last Concubine is about the concubines of the shogun, who were usually aristocratic ladies chosen to be the shogun’s ‘second wife’ or ‘third wife’ and hopefully to bear a son for him to be the future shogun. To be a concubine was a highly coveted honour and concubines were formally recognised in a ceremony much like a marriage.
Geisha and courtesans on the other hand were (and are) part of the demi monde. Geisha are entertainers - the word means artistes - who performed dances and songs to private gatherings usually of men. In old Japan they were at the very bottom of the social system (like actresses in the Victorian west - think ‘Don’t put your daughter on the stage, Mrs Worthington.’) Traditionally they were not supposed to sell sex. That was the courtesans’ job and they were prohibited from stealing the courtesans’ clients. If they married they had to stop being geishas - geishas and wives were like opposite sides of the coin.
In other words, geishas, concubines and courtesans were entirely different, not just a catch all term for Japanese women, and not to be confused.
Lénia said,
Monday, November 10, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Hello, Lesley.
First of all, thank you so much for everything you’ve written on the Ancient Japan subject.
I’m a 29-year-old Portuguese woman who is deeply in love with this theme, though I don’t know how this passion begun. I’ve been reading about Geisha, Samurai, Shogun, and so on for such long time now… And I find it so captivating that I can’t get enough of this. I’ve never been to Japan, but this is my “dream-trip”, to accomplish some day. This passion has taken me to unbelievable experiences: I started practicing Karate a few years ago and I still see it as a way of living the old Japan instead of being a mere sport.
Enough about me, now. I discovered your website and, therefore, your blog and was happy to see that it was possible to contact you and leave you a message.
So, congratulations on everything you’ve done for us, people who love Japan and are thrilled to read and learn more and more about this astonishing culture. You’re a blessing to us. Thank you so much.
Best Regards,
Lénia
Lesley said,
Monday, November 10, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Dear Lenia,
Thank you very much for your message. I’m glad you enjoy my blog and also glad you enjoy karate. Japanese culture is indeed entirely fascinating and I think by doing karate you’re getting a real feel for it - that focus, that one-pointedness is a wonderful thing to develop in one’s life. Just out of interest, in The Last Concubine I write about the halberd, the women’s weapon. The Japanese word for halberd is naginata and if you google it you may find a local sports centre where you can try it. I found naginata classes in the East End of London!
I do hope you manage to go to Japan in the end. You’d be amazed how cheap it is once you’ve made the initial outlay for the plane ticket.
Good luck and best wishes,
Lesley