Much of this controversy came from the fact that Golden had supposedly depicted a world that was inaccurately sexualized and at times offensive. Keeping this in mind, it’s important to note that this novel is not a real memoir by any means, and is classified as a historical fiction novel. It’s true that there are many parallels between Mineko’s life and the life of the novel’s protagonist, Chiyo/Sayuri, but don’t be fooled by the deceivingly realistic translator’s note (read: this book was originally written in English) because this book really is a work of imagination.

It’s always interesting to see how an outsider in almost every way– a white American man living in the late 20th century– could craft a novel that seems so compellingly honest, but despite all of the book’s faults, this feeling really does come through. In addition, the sheer imagery of this novel really paints a world that is equal parts believable and fascinating. This visual depiction is part of the reason I chose kimono as my hint word last time, and the outfits I’ve created all include this magnetically visual aspect. Without further ado, here are looks inspired by Memoirs of a Geisha:

1. Work of Art

Then she put it into my hand, and held my hand over the lovely kimono, and said to me: “Practice your calligraphy, little Chiyo.” This kimono belonging to the geisha named Mameha […] was a work of art. Weaving its way from the hem up to the waist was a beautiful vine made of heavily lacquered threads bunched together like a tiny cable and sewn into place. It was a part of the fabric, yet it seemed so much like an actual vine growing there.

Product Info: Dress- Abercrombie, Shoes – JCPenney, Top – H&M, Wallet – Tilly’s 

This scene occurs near the beginning of the book, when the protagonist, Chiyo, is forced by the spiteful geisha Hatsumomo to ruin one of the pricelessly beautiful kimonos of her rival Mameha. The decision to obey Hatsumomo is one that can destroy any potential future as a geisha for Chiyo, and is a huge turning point– but an unexpectedly good one. Mameha, the most successful geisha of Gion, decides to take Chiyo under her wing and is the driving force behind Chiyo’s eventual rise from worthless servant to celebrated geisha.