What makes a literary work so memorable? Perhaps, it is a main character so well crafted that their every move becomes the object of fascination. Arthur Golden introduces Sayuri a Geisha whom did not begin life that way. She was born in a poor fishing village and at the age of nine was sold to a Geisha house or Oykia by the owner of a fishery where her father worked.

The novel explores life inside the Oykia as though the author put on Kabuki makeup and played a female role. His insight into the feminine mind is astounding. While at the same time, he has the understanding of how the Geisha thinks and acts in order to attract a wealthy patron a danna paying her expenses for a lifetime.

Traditionally, Japan has always been a country where the women serve the men and a Geisha was the ideal art form during the time before and somewhat after World War II. Trained to dance, sing, play a musical instrument, pour sake or tea and generally entertain the men at the different tea houses is how Sayuri earns her living.

Swirls of color are splashed upon the Japanese landscape in the silk kimonos and the platform shoes Sayuri wears and the umbrellas she carries in order to protect her white makeup and elaborate hairdos. Ceremony is also a part of Sayuri's life and as an apprentice she is taken under the wing of a beautiful and accomplished Geisha named Mameha.

Sayuri has the luck of accomplishing everything she desires and even ends up with the man of her dreams. To a westerner, the Eastern way of life is a bit exotic and maybe not to their liking. Although, the author has taken the time to throughly research his subject and given careful attention to detail that makes reading this novel worthwhile.