Memoirs of a Geisha 2005

In 1929, the lives of two young sisters, Chiyo (Sakamoto) and Satsu, are forever altered when their destitute father sells them off in Kyoto. While Satsu is brutally forced into a life of prostitution, Chiyo finds herself under the care of Kayoko Nitta, affectionately known as “Mother”, who runs a local okiya where young girls are trained to become geishas. As Chiyo settles into her new surroundings, she meets an array of colorful characters, including Pumpkin, another aspiring geisha; Hatsumomo, a cunning and ruthless senior geisha; and Auntie, one of the okiya’s gentle matriarchs.

As Chiyo begins her education in the art of being a geisha, she is subjected to the harsh realities of this ancient tradition. Her introduction to the world of geishas is marked by cruelty and abuse at the hands of Hatsumomo, who sees Chiyo as a potential threat to her own status. One fateful night, Chiyo is coerced into ruining a valuable kimono belonging to Mameha, one of Gion’s most prominent geishas, an act that incurs the wrath of Auntie and Mother.

In a desperate attempt to escape the okiya’s oppressive environment, Chiyo confides in Hatsumomo about her plans to run away with Satsu. However, their nocturnal escape is foiled when Chiyo stumbles upon Hatsumomo and her illicit lover, Koichi, in compromising positions. As the rest of the okiya awakens to the commotion, Koichi flees, leaving Hatsumomo to frame Chiyo for theft and distract from her own transgression.

Mother’s subsequent punishment is severe, beating Chiyo mercilessly and stripping her of her geisha training. Instead, Chiyo is relegated to menial tasks to pay off her accumulating debts. Meanwhile, Satsu disappears into the red light district, never to be seen again by Chiyo.

The loss of her sister, coupled with the revelation that both her parents have passed away, leaves Chiyo feeling hopeless and abandoned. It is amidst this despair that she meets Chairman Ken Iwamura, a kind-hearted and benevolent figure who buys her a sweet treat and offers words of encouragement. Inspired by his kindness, Chiyo resolves to continue her training as a geisha, driven by the hope that one day she might be worthy of entering the esteemed Chairman’s life.

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As years pass, Pumpkin dons the mantle of a maiko under Hatsumomo’s watchful eye. It isn’t long before Chiyo finds herself under the wing of Mameha, who convinces Mother to reinvest in her geisha training, promising a substantial return after debut. Renamed Sayuri, she embarks on her journey as a maiko, catching the attention of Toshikazu Nobu, Chairman’s gruff business partner, at a sumo match.

Mameha’s tireless efforts and strategic maneuvering propel Sayuri to stardom, drawing the admiration of many men, including Dr. Crab and the Baron - Mameha’s own danna. The bidding war for Sayuri’s deflowering ceremony reaches new heights, with Dr. Crab emerging victorious at a record-breaking 15,000 yen. Mother swiftly names Sayuri her adopted daughter and heiress to the okiya, leaving Pumpkin seething with resentment and Hatsumomo enraged.

Upon returning home from the ceremony, Sayuri stumbles upon a tipsy Hatsumomo in her room, where the latter has stumbled upon the Chairman’s handkerchief. The ensuing fight culminates in a fire being lit in the okiya, which is quickly extinguished. Hatsumomo’s banishment from Gion marks the end of an era.

Sayuri’s illustrious career is abruptly cut short by the outbreak of World War II. The Chairman relocates her to the countryside, where she works for a kimono maker. As the war draws to a close, Nobu approaches Sayuri with a proposal: help him impress an American Colonel who could approve funding for their business. She reunites with Mameha, who begrudgingly agrees to help her charm the Colonel, as well as Pumpkin, now working as an escort.

Sayuri embarks on a journey with Nobu, the Chairman, Mameha, Pumpkin, and American soldiers to the Amami Islands. The Colonel makes a pass at Sayuri, but she rebuffs him. Nobu confronts her after witnessing this, confessing his desire to become her danna. Sayuri devises a plan to make Nobu lose interest by having him catch her in an intimate moment with the Colonel. She enlists Pumpkin’s help, but instead of the Colonel, Pumpkin brings the Chairman. When confronted, Pumpkin reveals it as her revenge for Mother adopting Sayuri over her. Disheartened, Sayuri abandons her pursuit of the Chairman.

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As Sayuri returns to the tranquil surroundings of Gion, she is unexpectedly summoned to a nearby tea-house, where the subtle nuances of anticipation give way to surprise. Instead of Nobu’s familiar visage, she finds herself face-to-face with the enigmatic Chairman, his eyes holding a depth and intensity that leaves her breathless. With an air of vulnerability, he reveals the long-held secrets of his heart, confessing his enduring feelings for Sayuri, which he had kept hidden even as he respected Nobu’s emotions. The Chairman’s confession is a masterclass in understated passion, his words dripping with sincerity and longing.

As Sayuri finally finds the courage to bare her own soul, she and the Chairman share a kiss that is at once tender and intense, their lips meeting in a moment of pure intimacy. This long-awaited revelation marks a turning point in Sayuri’s journey, as she begins to reconcile her conflicting desires and loyalties, embarking on a new path that will forever alter the trajectory of her life.