- A Geisha’s Journey: My Life As a Kyoto Apprentice by Komomo – A gorgeous book. One of the few inside looks at being a Geisha in English.
- Geisha by Liza Dalby – Autobiographical account of perhaps the only “white” Geisha, but it’s more than that as it includes tons of information about kimono and seasonal cues.
- John Foster Photos – One Hundred Views of Kyoto Maiko – ISBN4-86249-048-4 – Another gorgeous book with lots of fascinating photos of Maiko.
- Kyoto Hanamachi by Mizobuchi Hiroshi – ISBN4-8381-0303-4 – Another beautiful book showing the inside of a Hanamachi (Geisha quarter) with English!
- Hannari ISBN4-7974-2738-8
- Geisha of Pontocho by P.D. Perkins – An 1954 book, definitely worth trying to find! (Just don’t pay $100 for it, IMHO)
- The Flower and Willow World by A.C. Scott – Another great vintage book.
- Geisha: A Life by Mineko Iwasaki – A famous autobiography of a Geisha in English. Likely what Memoirs of a Geisha was based off.
- Nihongami no Sekai Maiko no Kamigata (The World of Traditional Japanese Hairstyles/ Hairstyles of the Maiko) By Tetsuo Ishihara (Maiko hairstyles with step by step) – If you’re interested in kanzashi or step by step photos of Maiko hairstyles this is THE BOOK for you! Gorgeous!
JAPANESE BOOKS:
- Kotobuki City N kami people Gion Ichisuzu ISBN4-09-681322-2 – in Japanese but lots of beautiful photos.
- Geisha Japanese Hospitality ISBN979-4-478-07789-4 – in Japanese but lots of beautiful photos.