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JOMC 50 Treasure Hunt
Jordan Bartel
Lab section 411, Thursday 5-650 p.m., Jim Carstens
Topic: Japanese Geisha
Section I: Introduction
My topic for this project is Japanese geisha. I have just recently become interested
in geisha after reading Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden last month. Basically,
all I know about geisha comes from the book. Geisha are Japanese women who are
trained at a young age to become entertainers. They live in a house with other
maiko, girls in training to become geisha, and are trained in several arts-flower
arranging, dancing, tea service, and other elements of Japanese culture. They
are often exquisitely dressed and immaculately "made up" with hairstyles
and makeup. Geisha were, in the past, very prominent in Japanese life. After World
War II, there numbers dwindled drastically but there are still several thousand
in existence.
Contrary to popular misconception, geisha are not prostitutes. Their name literally
means "art people." They are trained to be entertainers, performers,
and also just to be able to interact with men and be witty. They have the right
to refuse any kind of sexual relationship, although in the past their virginity
was often auctioned off to the highest bidder, who usually then became their main
provider, called a danna. However, the "virginity auction" no longer
takes place.
Through researching my topic, I would like to discover what exactly a geisha is
and why so many people may have misconceptions about them. I want to know their
history, the various rituals and traditions associated with geisha life, as well
as their place in Japanese society in the past, present, and future. My intended
audience would be very widespread. I would hope a student in high school would
be as interested in this topic as would a reader of a scholarly journal or national
newspaper and magazine. Essentially, it would be anyone interested in another
culture and wanting to understand an often-misunderstood profession.
Section II: Web Sources
Title of Web page: Japanese Geisha Women and Maiko Girls
Web Address: http://gojapan.about.com/library/weekly/aa080300a.htm
Brief Description: A three-part in-depth explanation of what a geisha is and
their function in Japanese Society. This page covers clearly geisha history,
traditions, culture, and way of life. Includes actual Japanese-language names
for items, people, and instruments related to the geisha profession. A useful
site that is easy to understand and navigate and almost overwhelmingly informative.
Source of Website: Author is Shizuko Mishima, "expert" on the "Japan"
section of about.com
Title of Web page: Immortal Geisha-History, Stories and Biographies of Geisha
and Maiko
Web Address: www.immortalgeisha.com
Brief Description: An interesting culmination of various elements of geisha
life. Includes sections on history from 1000-1799, biographies of famous geishas
of the past, and history of geisha beauty regimen. Though some sections are
still under construction, the information included is thorough and un-biased
research. This page also includes helpful links to other geisha sites, a geisha
newsletter, information about geisha books, and other valuable resources.
Source of Website: The site is independently owned, operated, and written by
Naomi Graham-Diaz, who, unhappy with the relatively small amount of geisha material
on the web, decided to compile information and consolidate it on this in-depth
site.
Title of Web page: Geisha of Japan
Web Address: http://marian.creighton.edu/~marianw/academics/english/japan/geisha/geisha.html
Brief Description: Very informative site that explains thoroughly what
a geisha is, their role, history, and art. Also tackles issues pertaining
to complex relationships between geisha and men, their trainers, and also,
interestingly, their relations with the wife of the men they entertain.
Contains a section about the future of geisha in modern Japan. The articles
are very easy to read and packed with important information covering all
bases of the life of a geisha. Also includes many full-color pictures
of geisha and their surroundings and daily routines and also links to
other sites concerning Japanese culture.
Source of Web Site: This informational site was probably a history class
assignment. The link is from Marian High School in Omaha, Nebraska, which
bills itself as "the most outstanding school for young women in the
Midwest."
Title of Web Page: Geisha
Web address: http://www.geocities.com/yihyongbuayee/geisha.html
Brief Description: Extremely detailed and introspective college report about
geisha. Page is lengthy and has a complete history of geisha and includes many
Japanese terms related to geisha. The information is well written and also includes
several sections devoted to tackling the issues of western-world geisha misconceptions
while still being informative. The most interesting part explores Western-world
assumptions about geisha and Japanese culture. and Elements of a geisha's life
are made understandable and is very useful for even a casual audience. Includes
links to other geisha sites, and includes several pictures of geisha through
the ages
Source of Web Site: University of California-Santa Barbara student Katherine
Stoner researched this paper as part of a history class entitled "History
of East/West Artistic Interactions."
Title of Web page: Geisha (Geiko)
Web address:
http://www.whatever.net.au/~amaya/geisha/home.html (link no longer
exists--sorry)
Brief Desciption: Informative site that covers the almost 2000 year history
of geisha in Japan. Also compares and contrasts the roles of maiko, apprentice
geisha, and full-fledged geisha. Well-organized, and easy to navigate, this
site is useful as an introduction to geisha as well as a good tool in understanding
the process of becoming a geisha. Contains information about geisha books, a
comprehensive list of other geisha website links, and an extensive gallery of
geisha images.
Source of Web Site: This is another personal website from someone fascinated
by geisha and their lives. Though the author, only named as Amaya, admits to
not being any kind of expert on geisha, the information is useful and complete.
Section III: Books, Videotapes and CD-ROMs from UNC-CH libraries:
UNC library print sources:
Aishara, Kyoto. Geisha
London: Carlton Books, 2000.
Call Number: GT3412.A35 2000
Dalby, Liza Crihfield. Geisha
Berkeley: University of California Press, 1983.
Call Number: GV1472.3.T3 1983
Louis, Lisa. Butterflies of the Night: Mama-sans, Geisha, Strippers, and the
Japanese Men they serve.
New York: Tengu Books, 1992.
Call Number: GT3415.J3 L68 1992
One non-paper source from the UNC libraries:
The Secret Life of Geisha, produced by A&E Home Video, a division of A&E
Television Network, distributed in the US by New Video Group.
100 min., 1999, videocassette.
Call Number: 65-V7581
Section III: Electronic Indexes and Databases Sources
Allison, Anne. (2001, Summer). Memoirs of the Orient.
Journal of Japanese Studies [Online], v. 27 i.2, p.381.
Available: Infotrac Academic ASAP [2002, September 14].
Gaouette, Nicole. (1999, February 9). Memoirs of a Modern-Day Geisha.
Christian Science Monitor [Online], v. 91, i.51, p. 12. Op. 8C.
Available: LEXIS-NEXIS Academic Universe [2002, September 12].
Gaouette, Nicole. (1999, December). Neo-Geisha.
Vogue [Online], v. 184 i.12, 2 pgs.
Available: Infotrac Academic ASAP [2002, September 14].
Martell, Chris. (2002, September 6). Geisha: A Living Art
Wisconsin St. Journal [Online], pg. D1, 1061 words.
Available: OCLC FirstSearch [2002, September 12].
Miller, Karen Lowry. (1992, April 27). The View from Behind a Geisha's Fan.
Business Week [Online], n. 3263, 3 pgs.
Available: LEXIS-NEXIS [2002, September 12].
Whymart, Robert. (2001, April 21). Japanese Men Embrace the Geisha-lite.
The London Times [Online], pg. 21, overseas news, Tokyo.
Available: Infotrac Academic ASAP [2002, September 14].
Section IV: Internet Mini-Essay
Title: eBay: The World's Most Profitable Online Flea Market
(TOPIC AREA: Net People and Places)
A 14-karat diamond and emeralds ring. A 30-foot John Lennon tapestry. An autographed
picture of Elvis Presley lounging in bed.
These are just a few of the many items listed for sale on the successful online
marketplace eBay each day.
Roughly 40 million people are members of the virtual auction website, founded
in 1995 by Silicon Valley entrepreneur Pierre Omidyar. Almost 9 million items
are listed on eBay each day and in 2001, the site had more than $8 billion in
gross merchandise sales and boasted a second-quarter profit this year that than
doubled to $54.3 million, as revenue jumped 47 percent to $266.3 million. (1)
But the question remains: what exactly has made eBay survive the recent downfall
of dot com companies and even thrive in a troubled economy?
According to eBay spokesman Kevin Pursglove, "small business is at the
heart and soul of eBay," (2) and that is what made it rise above the heap
of other failed online business communities. Sole proprietorships and small
businesses make up 95 percent of eBay's users. In fact, an estimated 200,000
businesses are virtual businesses that exist entirely on eBay. (2).
But as eBay has evolved under the leadership of CEO Meg Whitman, an experienced
corporate manager who took the reins from Omidyar in 1998, a growing share of
items are being sold at a fixed price, rather than by auction; those sales accounted
for 20 percent of revenues last year. (3). Large corporations like Motorola,
Sears and IBM now sell directly through their own "stores" on eBay's
site. (3)
Although the explanations for eBay's success are vast, what seems to be a constant
catalyst for financial profit is the ever present and varied desires of consumers-whether
for basic needs, such as light bulbs or fans, or the more obscure wants, like
obscure baseball cards or 1950s wooden toys.
And that diamond and emeralds ring? With 12 hours left on the auction, the high
bidder is a man from Fresno, California willing to spend $295.00 on a ring he
has never seen, offered by a seller from River City, Texas he was never met.
Thus is the way of eBay.
NOTES:
(1) Nancy Salem, "Do you eBay?" Albuquerque Tribune, 12 August 2002,
B1 p.6
Also Available [Online]: LEXIS-NEXIS [Accessed: 10 September, 2002].
(2) L.A. Lorek, "Cyber-Commerce; More than just an Online Garage Sale,"
San Antonio Express-News, 7 July 2002, p.1K Business, Also Available [Online]:
LEXIS-NEXIS [Accessed: 10 September, 2002].
(3) Jerry Adler, "The eBay Way of Life," Newsweek, 17 July 2002, p.50
Society
Also Available [Online]: LEXIS-NEXIS [Accessed: 10 September, 2002].
THREE WEB SITES:
Title of Web page: The Wide World of eBay
Web address: http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36%257E45%257E752566,00.html
Brief Description: A feature story that outlines what eBay is, all of
its services, and explores why it is so successful.
Source of Web site: The Denver Post
Title of Web page: eBay Inc. Capsule-Hoover's Online
Web address: http://www.hoovers.com/co/capsule/7/0,2163,56307,00.html
Brief Description: An informational page about the eBay corporation. Includes
financial profile, Dow Jones profile information, recent news and analysis of
the company, and information about products offered and competitors.
Source of Web site: Hoover's Online-a Business authority web site.
Title of Web page: E-Commerce Times: Success Stories
Web address: http://www.ecommercetimes.com/success_stories/success-ebay.shtml
Brief Description: An in-depth interview with Kevin Pursglove, eBay's Senior
Director of Communications. Includes background about the history of the company,
operations details, financial information, and analysis of the success of the
company.
Source of Web site: E-Commerce Times
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