All of Wofford's incoming freshmen know that this year's Novel Experience book is Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden. What they may not know is that the Wofford community has a rich resource on campus for the next two years in Japan Outreach Coordinator Manami Matsuoka.
Manami Matsuoka, Japan Outreach Coordinator
Ms. Matsuoka, who holds a bachelors degree in Contemporary English from Nagoya University of Foreign Studies, has come to Spartanburg as an ambassador of Japanese culture. She visited the library last week to speak with us about geisha culture and Memoirs of a Geisha.
Manami Matsuoka describes geisha makeup and costume to Hannah Jarrett ‘12.
Ms. Matsuoka explained to us that geisha are highly-trained entertainers hired for party entertainment at a tea house or traditional Japanese restaurant. The geisha will sing, dance, and play the shamisen (a traditonal Japanese instrument). As festivities become more boisterous, geisha may lead games among the revelers.
Ms. Matsuoka is not only knowledgeable and enthusiastic about Japanese culture, but also curious about Western culture.
She asked us: "What is geisha for people here?"
What do you think?
If you're interested in Japan or Japanese culture, seek Ms. Matsuoka's counsel. Her office is in the Campus Life Building and her contact information is here. And if you see her on campus, please welcome her to the Wofford community.
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