Product Description
The world of Japanese geisha culture has long commanded worldwide interest and fascination. A document of this culture, as well as an exercise in erotic tradition, the “pillow book,” was first used during Japan’s Kamakura period (1192-1333). It then developed into a wider range of boudoir literature. Others became illustrated portfolios, or shunga, traditional Japanese erotic art that recalls great eighteenth-century masters such as Hokusai and Utamaro, as well as today’s popular Manga comics. These pillow books were used by courtesans and geishas to aid sexual exploration, and throughout history also became a cultural guide to the world of the geisha, describing training, dress, makeup, and style, both public … More >>
Geisha Secrets: A Pillow Book for Lovers
Comments
As a geisha fan I took the risk of buying this without knowing what I was getting in to. Well thankfully I’m not a complete prude because when the description says it contains traditional erotic art it means it! This is not the present for your God fearing grandma (unless she has a secret sexy side).
Having said that this is a lovely gift book for the geisha or erotica fan. Where it is described as having 48 pages it is actually a two sided long piece of high quality paper folded in to 24 pages on each side (apparently this is the traditional style).
The first side (ie the first 24 pages) contains information and illustration on geisha life ( but the fans have probably read it all in much more thorough books like Geisha by Liza Dalby). It is beautifully layed out.
The opposite side (ie pages 25-48) contain some lovely traditional poems and diary excerpts balanced by the shunga erotic prints.
This concertina folded insert is enclosed in a hard cover clasped together at the side. It is a lovely set and the geisha collection cannot be considered complete without it. I have no regrets, and I’m sure I can find a use for the pictures- although I do have to live with a partner who now insists on calling me a G.P.F. (Geisha Porn Fan). Enjoy!
Rating: 4 / 5
It should be noted ‘pillow book’ refers most specifically to a work by Sei Shonagon, a court lady of the Heian Era. The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon (Makura no soshi) was written sometime in the late 900s-early 1000s and is a collection of notes and personal thoughts about Heian court life, a diary. To my knowledge ‘pillow book’ is not commonly used as a general term and does not typically describe an erotic work.
This glaring error as well as the others previous reviewers have mentioned should call into question the veracity of this book. If one simply wants to look at Japanese erotic (of questionable authenticity) then this book will suffice. If one is looking for accurate depictions of geisha or true antique Japanese erotica one would be advised to look elsewhere.
Rating: 1 / 5
Yet another cheap attempt to make money off the Geisha name! Why is it that because geisha are Asian females and happen to be entertainers must they always end up associated with sex? If the authors of this blatant attempt to increase the audience for their shunga-philia really paid attention to Liza Dalby’s book, Geisha (which they mined extensively for their Public Face section), they would have noted that training in the sexual arts has no place in world of real geisha! If they want to write about Japanese erotica, fine, but they shouldn’t use it in a way to pander to Western fantasies that are patently false. It is a slap in the face to all true geisha who follow the road of artistic discipline and to the Japanese people whom they often represent. I’m sick of books like this!
Rating: 1 / 5
Yet another cheap attempt to make money off the Geisha name! Why is it that because geisha are Asian females and happen to be entertainers must they always end up associated with sex? If the authors of this blatant attempt to increase the audience for their shunga-philia really paid attention to Liza Dalby’s book, Geisha (which they mined extensively for their Public Face section), they would have noted that training in the sexual arts has no place in world of real geisha! If they want to write about Japanese erotica, fine, but they shouldn’t use it in a way to pander to Western fantasies that are patently false. It is a slap in the face to all true geisha who follow the road of artistic discipline and to the Japanese people whom they often represent. I’m sick of books like this!
Rating: 1 / 5
I received this book as a present and sits within my collection of geisha books…but unfortunately – unlike my other books, I was quite disapointed with it. The layout and cover of this book though, is quite unique – a refreshing change…and the artwork in it is beautiful, that is of course – if you can appreciate erotic prints!
The book itself, is divided into two sections. The ‘Public Face’ of the geisha and the ‘Private Face’ of the geisha. The information you will find in the ‘Public Face’ is nothing new to those whom are familiar with other geisha books – namely ‘Geisha’ by Liza Dalby – but for those who are new to the world of geisha…it provides decent information.
It was the “Private Face” of the geisha that I found myself angry about. I am by no means a prude and I appreciate shunga prints…but the use of shunga prints in this book I felt was VERY misleading. These shunga prints are NOT of geisha – but rather, they are of courtesans of the pleasure quarters- tayu, yujo or oiran.
After reading this book, I felt that it only fed even more to the misconception that the western world have of geishas – that they are just mere prostitutes catering to the every whim of men – rather than them being accomplished and serious artisans.
I really do think that more thought and researching should have been put in this book rather than a quick throw together to cash in on the “geisha wave”.
Rating: 1 / 5