Animefringe: December 2005 - Features - Memoirs of a Geisha

Animefringe: December 2005 - Features - Memoirs of a Geisha: "After seeing a galley of the Japanese translation of Memoirs of a Geisha in 1999 (published in Japanese as Sayuri), Iwasaki-san discovered that not only had the character of Nitta Sayuri been based on her, but that she had been acknowledged as a major source for the book, despite having asked for anonymity. This broke one of the most sacred laws of the Gion Kobu karyukai, and the geiko was quoted as having contemplated ritual suicide after receiving death threats from other geiko, who believed that Iwasaki-san had broken her vow of silence. She later sued Golden for defamation and breach of confidentiality. The case was settled out of court earlier this year"

geiko (the more correct term for geisha, which literally means 'woman of art')
Geishameans ‘artisan’ in Japanese, and it is a title given to women highly trained in arts, music and dance.