The Lawsuit
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"...indebted to one individual above all others … Mineko."
Mineko Iwasaki, was one of the most famous geisha in Japan of all time. In 1992, she agreed to be interviewed by Golden for Memoirs of a Geisha, but he was not to use her name or any of her families names within his work. In 2001, Iwasaki sued Golden for ten million dollars saying that he violated their contract. In the books acknowledgements, Golden said he was, "indebted to one individual above all others...Mineko". Plus, she is said he lied about a man having paid for her virginity and that she was not sold into the geisha world by her parents.
Golden, states that the characters in the book are in no way directly connected with Mineko or her life. Golden's publisher, Random House, argued that the lawsuit is "baseless and completely without merit" (BBC News, 2001) and Golden and Random House intended to fight it.
The case, however, never reached the courts and was settled outside of court in 2003. After the case, Mineko decided to write an autobiography in order to tell her real story.
Mineko Iwasaki, was one of the most famous geisha in Japan of all time. In 1992, she agreed to be interviewed by Golden for Memoirs of a Geisha, but he was not to use her name or any of her families names within his work. In 2001, Iwasaki sued Golden for ten million dollars saying that he violated their contract. In the books acknowledgements, Golden said he was, "indebted to one individual above all others...Mineko". Plus, she is said he lied about a man having paid for her virginity and that she was not sold into the geisha world by her parents.
Golden, states that the characters in the book are in no way directly connected with Mineko or her life. Golden's publisher, Random House, argued that the lawsuit is "baseless and completely without merit" (BBC News, 2001) and Golden and Random House intended to fight it.
The case, however, never reached the courts and was settled outside of court in 2003. After the case, Mineko decided to write an autobiography in order to tell her real story.
Geisha, A life, Mineko Iwasaki.
Mineko Iwasaki's autobiography became an international best-seller. Iwasaki started training to be a geisha at the age of five, and became the most famous geisha in Japan. She learned the fine art of ancient Japanese entertainment customs and went on to entertain princes, kings, military heroes, and statesmen. Despite all of her success, she dreamed of her own life and when she turned twenty-nine she found a way to retire to start a new beginning.
Interview with Mineko Iwasaki
In 2003, NBC interviewed Minkeko about her opinions and views on the novel. You can watch the interview below.
further information regarding the lawsuit
BBC News: "Geisha Sues Over Book"
This article talks a lot about Mineko's accusations against Golden and his responses to them.
ABC News: "Geisha Author and Publisher Sued"
This article talks about the affect this lawsuit had on the publisher and Mineko's demands.
News Watching: "Memoirs of a Geisha Lawsuit"
This article talks about the contract in which Mineko believes Golden violated.
This article talks a lot about Mineko's accusations against Golden and his responses to them.
ABC News: "Geisha Author and Publisher Sued"
This article talks about the affect this lawsuit had on the publisher and Mineko's demands.
News Watching: "Memoirs of a Geisha Lawsuit"
This article talks about the contract in which Mineko believes Golden violated.