Three Geishas

Cassell & Co, London, 1956. First Edition. Hardcover (Original Cloth). Very Good/Good. Author's note, introduction by author. Colour illustrated frontispiece showing a geisha by Moronobu. Pale yellow coloured cloth covered boards with red coloured titles to the backstrip. Coloured illustrated dustwrapper, same illustration as for frontispiece, with black coloured titles to the front panel and backstrip. In this book the author, through three famous geishas, gives the Western eye what actually a geisha is, their training (usually starting at five years of age) and the various stages of their maturation. "The professional geisha is cultivated in the arts of music, singing and dancing, of making intelligent conversation, arranging flowers and serving sake; she is adept at provoking desire and avoiding indiscretion." – from the front fold over panel blurb. The three geishas stories told within the book represent very different types – Okichi – a simple village girl who became the mistress of the first American consul in Japan; O-koi – became the inspiration of the Japanese Prime Minister during the Russian-Japanese war; and, Tsumakichi – who after losing both arms in a night of terror built herself a new life with magnificent courage. Softening of the backstrip edges with bumping of the top book corners and lower edge of the front panel. Age toning of the textblock edges and pages. Offset tanning to the end pages. Chipping of the dustwrapper corners and backstrip edges. There is a 1 inch tear to the lower right-hand corner of the backstrip; and small splits on the remaining three corners. Rubbing to the dustwrapper edges, either side of the backstrip and fold over creases. Some small closed tears and creases to the dustwrapper edges. Browning to the verso. First English Edition. Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. [4], 5 - 187, [1] pages,. Please refer to accompanying picture (s). Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: Under 1 kilo. Category: Sociology & Culture; Japan; History. Inventory No: 0130544. .