Geisha . at the slightest evocation of this little Japanese word there appears instantly before the eyes of Westerners a succession of images swaying gently between languorous voluptuousness and erotic fantasy. And yet, far from being a simple "creature" destined to satisfy carnal pleasures, the "geisha" sums up the quintessence of Japanese refinement. A source of inspiration for print artists who took the curve of a shoulder, the roundness of a breast and the delicacy of a neck to satiation, she embodies, above all, the ideal "Woman". This intelligent and cultured courtesan is simultaneously musician, poet and dancer. Westerners prefer to celebrate in her the myth of the girl-woman, midway between spouse and doll. AUTHOR Geoffrey-Schneiter is a journalist and editor as well as a professional archaeologist and art historian. She has written for a number of specialist periodicals, overseen the content of scholarly publications, and written several books on the arts and archaeology.

ILLUSTRATIONS 60 illustrations.