The Rendition Experience

Arthur Golden's "Memoirs of a Geisha" left an itching curiosity to learn more about this secret world. I was searching for Liza Dalby's book about her experience in becoming a Geisha when I stumbled upon this book.

Despite being an autobiography, it isn't the correct factual content that charms you to keep on reading. Sayo Masuda, can only write in hiragana (one of the three alphabets required to write comprehensively in Japanese). This is the equivalent of a small child's ability. Yet she found it within her skill to portray her story in a simple way, baring her emotions honestly.

The main difference between this book and the many other Geisha themed books out there is that Sayo Masuda did not write it for profit or fame. She remains anonymous within her own community and her current family has not even read the book.
The reasoning for writing her story was unveiled for the first time by G.G. Rowley - the person responsible for translating the book into English - when for the first time Sayo Masuda decides to meet someone due to the book.
The story may not be chronologically accurate or full of factual content, but Sayo Masuda and G.G. Rowly do a wonderful job at involving us emotionally in this real tale.