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Daily Telegraph: First ever Western geisha leaves the 'sisterhood'
The first ever Westerner to be admitted to the closed world of Japan's geisha hostesses has left after being accused of bringing the movement into disrepute. Oxford-educated Fiona Graham, 47, was the only foreigner in 400 years to be accepted into the ranks of the geisha, whose skills in traditional Japanese dance, poetry and music are a revered part of national culture. But now, having gone through rigorous training to enter a profession long considered off-limits to non-Japanese, she has parted company with its professional organisation after clashes with fellow members. The Sunday Telegraph understands that Ms Graham, who took the name "Sayuki" (transparent happiness) after making her debut as a geisha in 2007, was accused of refusing to follow its customs, failing to attend obligatory classes in music and dance, and spending too much time on self-promotion. Worst of all, insiders claim, in a world that is built on traditions and adherence to conventions, she refused to show respect to her elders. "She was in the association for more than three years, but she did not take part in lessons and she did not follow our rules," another geisha, who asked not to be named, told The Sunday Telegraph. "And she was always fighting us....She says she is a flute player but she does not go to lessons and said she was already good enough," said the fellow geisha. "But to perform in front of guests is very important. You have to be good enough and you need to have permission. No-one would give her permission because she was not good enough - so she became hysterical, yelling at everyone. That is not our style. We have a traditional way of thinking and we have to obey our older 'sisters'"...Peter MacIntosh, a documentary maker who has studied the secretive world of geisha for 18 years, said: "I have refused to call her Sayuki. When she starts acting like a geisha, then I'll call her by her geisha name"...more...
Original FG Thread: Sayuki of Asakusa - 1st f'd gai-geisha