What do you think?
Rate this book
Geisha: A Photographic History, 1872-1912
Japanese geisha and courtesans intrigue and fascinate Westerners. During the mid-nineteenth century, Japan opened its doors to the world and became an essential destination for travelers. Tourists desired images of landscapes and traditional Japanese culture, which Japanese photographers provided. They created souvenir albums consisting of hand-colored photographs individually chosen by the tourist. Many are so beautifully painted that they challenge modern sensibilities familiar with color photography. The photographic conventions were inspired by the aesthetics of the noted colored woodblock print medium of ukiyo-e and the privately published surimono. These works depicted the “floating world”—courtesans, geisha, and entertainments—which also were intriguing subject matter for tourists.
In the seventeenth century, the social category of entertainer, or more exactly hostess and companion for men, was established—the geisha, Japanese for “artist.” Geisha are professional hostesses who train in the art of pleasing men, by performing traditional dance, playing instruments and singing, and intelligent conversation and humor. They were experts in tea ceremony and all aspects of dining. Their aim was to simulate the ambience and impression of Feudal Japan. It took years for an apprentice geisha (maiko) to learn the art, but the result was wealth, renown, and celebrity.
This book, Geisha: A Photographic History, 1880–1910 , documents the intimate life and culture of the nineteenth-century geisha. It portrays these artists in a cultural reality created by staged studio photography, private scenes, and rare outdoor images. The geisha is pictured performing her daily rituals and various arts—bathing, dressing, hair styling, dining, dancing, and playing instruments. Images of courtesans and other working women are presented alongside the geisha to show all sides of this enchanting aspect of Japanese culture.
Completing the story are insightful essays on the history of nineteenth-century Japanese photography, the social history of the geisha, and the history of the opening of Japan.
In the seventeenth century, the social category of entertainer, or more exactly hostess and companion for men, was established—the geisha, Japanese for “artist.” Geisha are professional hostesses who train in the art of pleasing men, by performing traditional dance, playing instruments and singing, and intelligent conversation and humor. They were experts in tea ceremony and all aspects of dining. Their aim was to simulate the ambience and impression of Feudal Japan. It took years for an apprentice geisha (maiko) to learn the art, but the result was wealth, renown, and celebrity.
This book, Geisha: A Photographic History, 1880–1910 , documents the intimate life and culture of the nineteenth-century geisha. It portrays these artists in a cultural reality created by staged studio photography, private scenes, and rare outdoor images. The geisha is pictured performing her daily rituals and various arts—bathing, dressing, hair styling, dining, dancing, and playing instruments. Images of courtesans and other working women are presented alongside the geisha to show all sides of this enchanting aspect of Japanese culture.
Completing the story are insightful essays on the history of nineteenth-century Japanese photography, the social history of the geisha, and the history of the opening of Japan.
120 pages, Hardcover
First published March 30, 2006
About the author
Stanley B. Burns
37 books27 followersDriven by a deep commitment to share his discoveries, Dr. Stanley B. Burns’ name has become synonymous with historic photography. Dr. Burns began collecting medical, historical, and memorial photography in 1975, and founded The Burns Archive in 1977. Since then, he’s authored dozens of award-winning photo-history books, and has curated and exhibited at dozens of major museums and galleries worldwide. A New York City ophthalmologist, Dr. Burns’ keen eye for iconic imagery has helped rewrite inaccuracies in medical history and played a large role in the rediscovery of postmortem photography and nineteenth century mourning practices. An accomplished surgeon, author, historian, curator, collector, professor, publisher, and archivist, Dr. Burns has been referred to as “the Johnny Appleseed of photography” in New York Magazine, as he’s actively shared his encyclopedic knowledge and expertise. His contributions to medical and photography history are recognized by his official appointments at several institutions, including The National Arts Club, The Bronx Museum of the Arts, The American College of Surgeons and especially by New York University: Langone Medical Center where he is Clinical Professor of Medicine and Psychiatry. Over the past 40 years, he has consulted and contributed to thousands of feature films, documentaries, television productions and publications. He has authored 43 photo-historical texts, over 1000 articles and served as editor of several medical journals. When not collecting, Dr. Burns spends his consulting, lecturing, creating exhibits, and writing books on under-appreciated areas of history and photography. Dr. Burns is the on-set Medical, Historical and Technical Consultant for the HBO-Cinemax series, "The Knick." His 44th book, Stiffs, Skulls & Skeletons: Medical Photography and Symbolism will be released October of 2014.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 10, 2014
Wonderful view of the geisha around the turn of the century. I was surprised by a couple of the photos, showing the geisha's smiling and actually having a little bit of fun. Photographs were serious business during the nineteenth century. Interesting to see these women in the candid, open view only a photograph can provide.
March 28, 2015
Very interesting. Stanley Burns, besides showing pictures of geishas as expected, goes into details about geishas and Japanese culture. He also goes into great detail about photography in Japan in this era and how popular these pictures were for tourists. These photos are painted - the kimonos are striking and they are beautiful pictures.
I kept thinking of Memoirs of a Geisha, though, as I looked as these pictures. And how painful it would be to sleep on that elevated wooden post to preserve your hairstyle. (Today's geishas can wear wigs.)
I kept thinking of Memoirs of a Geisha, though, as I looked as these pictures. And how painful it would be to sleep on that elevated wooden post to preserve your hairstyle. (Today's geishas can wear wigs.)
July 10, 2021
This was a tough call. The photos themselves would earn five stars, but the book design rates a zero for me. Huge amounts of white space with tiny, tiny, almost unreadable captions squeezed into a corner...the only thing on the page. I get that the negative space was an attempt to convey some aspect of Oriental art, but it was SUCH A WASTE. It turned what should have been a stunning reading experience into a chore. Eventually, I gave up reading the text entirely and merely turned pages to look at the photos.
What a shame. Could have been stellar.
What a shame. Could have been stellar.
April 6, 2024
More of a collection of photos than a photographic history, Geisha is filled with historical photographic images that have been colorized. In many cases, I would have preferred to see the images in original black and white or sepia tones. Since the colors are imagined, they do not accurately illustrate the colors or aesthetic of the kimonos, an integral part of geisha life. In addition, many of the later photos are staged for American postcards. So they’re a pop culture version of the geisha. Primarily a “coffee table” photo book, the text is not particularly well written, though it does contain a useful Japanese timeline.
I enjoyed looking through the photos, printed on heavy, high quality paper, but not enough to buy my own copy.
I enjoyed looking through the photos, printed on heavy, high quality paper, but not enough to buy my own copy.
November 29, 2010
This book is illustrated with beautiful, hand-painted black and white photographs, gathered from various collections.
Many of the pictures are not of geisha but number 9 girls, a euphemism for the type of prostitute. The author provides a lot of information about the differences, including differences which can be seen in the photographs.
For instance, one can tell the difference between number 9 girls and geisha, and between the novice and the more experienced geisha, by manner of dress, including shoes.
Many of the pictures are not of geisha but number 9 girls, a euphemism for the type of prostitute. The author provides a lot of information about the differences, including differences which can be seen in the photographs.
For instance, one can tell the difference between number 9 girls and geisha, and between the novice and the more experienced geisha, by manner of dress, including shoes.
August 29, 2009
This book is full of historic pictures and gives a brief understanding of what the picture is about. There's not a lot of text, just enough to understand the pictures. You'll still learn something and the pictures are from earlier times and are authentic. Enjoy!
November 4, 2013
Not a lot of actual reading to do in this one, but the photo plates—though posed, colorized, and presumably intended for tourists—are magnificent. If you have any interest in pre-War Japan, this is for you.
October 23, 2013
Found this book at my local library...now I will have to add it to my library. Great book.
September 6, 2015
Beautiful photographs. Bought to use photographs for home decor in a remodel.
March 1, 2014
Colourized photos of Geisha and related from late 1800's. A one of a kind book.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews