Globe-trotting geisha shares secrets in new book

By Elaine Lies

KYOTO (Reuters Life!) - Becoming a geisha is already hard enough for most modern Japanese young women, but Komomo faced more obstacles than most: she was born in Mexico and spent part of her life overseas, including three years in China.

Now the 23-year-old, whose name means "Little Peach," is the proudly elegant member of a centuries-old but fading profession of female entertainers celebrated for their beauty, skill at traditional dance and music, and witty conversation. Contrary to widespread perceptions, geisha are not prostitutes.

Komomo spoke to Reuters recently on the sidelines of a traditional dance festival in Japan's old capital of Kyoto ahead of the publication of "A Geisha's Journey," a book about her experiences in a world unknown to most Japanese.

Q: I hear you became a geisha to search for your Japanese roots after years overseas?

A: I wanted to know more about my own country and that's why I chose this world. I wanted to make Japanese history and customs a part of my daily life, not just wearing a kimono occasionally but every day, and living life as they did in the old days. This was my dream.

Q: You came into this world after living overseas. Has this helped you or hurt you?

A: When I first came here, I think I had some friction with ordinary life in Japan, and I was a bit cheeky. Here they say it's best to act as if you know nothing, but actually be really clever. To act as if you know everything is the worst.

The fact that I'd lived overseas is unusual for ordinary Japanese but especially for a maiko (apprentice geisha). So when people find out about they're very surprised and it's quite easy to make conversation.