The word 幇間 is written as "taikomochi." It refers to a traditional, highly respected entertainer! They must be cultured, skilled, and refined. More than anything, they must understand people's hearts. They must be loved by others. - The last taikomochi, Master Yugen-tei Gyokusuke, recounts the ins and outs of traditional Japanese performing arts and the subtleties of life with wit and elegance, from his friendships with master rakugo storytellers and kabuki actors to the colorful stories of the geisha world. "The Testament of a Taikomochi" Yugen-tei Gyokusuke: Narrator Toyoji Oda: Interviewer Shueisha Bunko, 1999, First Edition Price: ¥600 *Creasing and tears on the top of the cover (images 6, 7) #ToyojiOda #Toyoji_Oda #Yugen-teiGyokusuke #Yugen-tei_Gyokusuke #Book #JapaneseLiterature/Essays and Criticism