Geisha: A Photographic History, 1880-1910

Not your typical coffee table book, "Geisha: A Photographic History" is just that: a historical look at the phenomenon that was Geisha, told largely through photographic images. Supplemented by light commentary, it's the images and their source information and historical context that do the real storytelling, showing much more of the back-story that we normally read or hear about. In fact, as someone with an interest in Geisha and Japanese culture, I was surprised at how much I learned- the nuances of the culture and openness of the women- from this book.

The most interesting photographs are the candid, behind-the-scenes, photos; the casual shots that capture the women in various states of preparation, undress and bathing. Their true joy comes out when they're less formal, less rigid and not on display; it's then that we see the camaraderie, friendship and playfulness between the girls.

Many of the photos were originally taken in black-and-white and have been colorized for this book. My opinion on this process is double-edged: on one hand, it's interesting to see how the kimono would have looked- with their bright colors and vibrant patterns- while on the other hand this "Technicolor" addition sometimes takes away from the simple emotion of the women and their surroundings.

For anyone interested in the Geisha culture or history, "Geisha" is a fantastic, beautiful book that's sure to satisfy.