Mineko Iwasaki

Mineko Iwasaki is a renowned Japanese author and former geisha, famous for her insightful autobiography, "Geisha of Gion" (also known as "Geisha, A Life"). Born Masako Tanaka in 1949 in Kyoto, Japan, she began her training at a young age, eventually becoming one of the most celebrated geishas in Kyoto's Gion Kobu district. Iwasaki retired at 29 and later shared her life story, aiming to dispel myths and offer a true account of a geisha's life. Her candid memoir provides a rare glimpse into a traditionally secretive world, making Iwasaki a respected voice in Japanese cultural history.