Beauty concept of Geisha in Arthur Golden’s Memoirs of A Geisha

ABSTRACT

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden is a novel which tells the struggle of a woman who fighht and learn about all aspects of geisha life. They are learn how to be beautiful woman, and admired many people. Geisha is seen as a woman of high social class who looks beautiful, elegant and behavioral. And everyone has different opinion about the concept of beauty. Based on the reason, the author chooses the title “Beauty Concept of Geisha in Arthur Golden’s Memoirs of a Geisha”.

The researcher try to analyze one of the Japanese culture especially geisha in Arthur Golden’s Memoir of a Geisha, because people usually misunderstanding when they hear or know about the word “Geisha”. The researcher also wants to know more about story that appears Geisha’s life. Based on the background of the study, the statements of the problems can be formulated as follows: (1) what is beauty concept of geisha described in Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden? And (2) to explain how does the concept of beauty reflect Japanese ideals of women.

This research is categorized as literary criticism, where the researcher doing analysis, interpretation, and evaluation in conducting the research. The researcher used sociological approach as research design to analyze because it concern in human opinion.

The researcher found that geisha’s concept of beauty can be seen from the four steps of being a geisha; Shikomi, Minarai, Maiko and Geisha in how they are explore their beauty, appearance, and ability to serve their guest. Beauty concept of geisha are how she can maintain health; how to dress up; manner and intelligent. In addition geisha must master in art such as playing traditional music instruments, singing, dancing and most importantly, the tea ceremony. The women Japanese concept of beauty can be seen from tea ceremony and how they mix and match the complicated wear kimono.