{"product_id":"geisha-peabody-essex-museum-9780807615454","title":"Geisha: Beyond the Painted Smile","description":"Renowned throughout the world as purveyors of beauty, mystery, and allure, geisha have come to represent the epitome of Japanese elegance and chic. The rich 250-year history of these performance artists is vividly presented in this volume, taking the reader behind the masklike makeup and into the studios where they train and rehearse and the teahouses where they entertain. Geisha have altered definitions of feminine beauty and identity and are the prevailing icons of Japanese womanhood. Their influence on Japan's decorative arts is documented by their beautiful kimono and hair ornaments and by the musical instruments and fans they use in their performances. The contributors to this book, all prominent specialists on Japanese culture, each consider a particular aspect of geisha tradition and aesthetics, from their music and dance to misperceptions of the profession by foreigners, from the portrayal of geisha as recurring characters in theater and film to profiles of talented women who choose this life and work today. Illustrated with woodblock prints and paintings as well as historical and contemporary photographs, this groundbreaking study also explores the dynamic tension between image and reality in the art of these exquisite entertainers. \u003ci\u003eGeisha: Beyond the Painted Smile\u003c\/i\u003e is a comprehensive presentation of geisha culture from its origins nearly three centuries ago to contemporary Japan. Disciplined performance artists of supreme grace and beauty, geisha are unique ambassadors of Japan's traditional culture. 158 color illustrations and photographs.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Peabody Essex Museum\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 0807615455\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780807615454\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e George Braziller\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 09\/17\/2004\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 159\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 2.53lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 12.28h x 9.30w x 0.80d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eChoice\u003c\/i\u003e 11\/01\/2004 pg. 541\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e 08\/02\/2004","brand":"Peabody Essex Museum","offers":[{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":44245065007359,"sku":"9780807615454","price":39.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_24a856d3-161f-45c3-8412-de441672398e.jpg?v=1693925916","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/geisha-peabody-essex-museum-9780807615454","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}