Memoirs of a Geisha 2005

In 1929, two sisters, Chiyo and Satsu, experience life-altering events when their impoverished father sells them in Kyoto. While Satsu faces the grim reality of forced prostitution, Chiyo finds refuge with Kayoko Nitta, affectionately known as “Mother.” She runs an okiya, a place where young girls are groomed to become geishas. As Chiyo adapts to her new life, she encounters various vibrant characters, including Pumpkin, another aspiring geisha, Hatsumomo, a vicious senior geisha, and Auntie, one of the okiya’s kind-hearted matriarchs.

Chiyo’s initiation into the world of geishas is fraught with challenges, highlighted by the abuse she endures at the hands of Hatsumomo, who views Chiyo as a rival. One fateful evening, Chiyo inadvertently ruins a cherished kimono belonging to Mameha, a prominent geisha in Gion. This misstep brings the wrath of both Auntie and Mother upon her.

In a bold attempt to escape the stifling confines of the okiya, Chiyo reveals her plans to flee with Satsu to Hatsumomo. However, their escape unfolds tragically when Chiyo discovers Hatsumomo in a compromising situation with her lover, Koichi. The ensuing chaos results in Koichi’s flight and Hatsumomo framing Chiyo for theft, diverting attention from her own misdeeds.

The punishment Chiyo receives from Mother is nothing short of brutal, robbing her of her geisha training and relegating her to a life of menial chores to repay her debts. Meanwhile, Satsu vanishes into the depths of the red-light district, leaving Chiyo heartbroken and alone.

As Chiyo grapples with the loss of her sister and the realization of her parents’ deaths, she encounters the benevolent Chairman Ken Iwamura, whose kindness shines through when he treats her to a sweet—a gesture that reignites her spirit. Inspired by his compassion, Chiyo vows to persevere in her geisha training, fueled by the hope of one day being deserving of the Chairman’s affection.

Years later, Pumpkin becomes a maiko under the watchful eye of Hatsumomo, while Chiyo, now Sayuri, receives the guidance of Mameha, who persuades Mother to reinvest in her training. Sayuri’s debut attracts admiration from several influential men, including Toshikazu Nobu, the Chairman’s serious business partner, and as the bidding war for her deflowering ceremony escalates, Dr. Crab triumphs with an astonishing bid of 15,000 yen. Sayuri is promptly adopted by Mother, intensifying the resentment from both Pumpkin and Hatsumomo.

After a disastrous encounter between Sayuri and a drunken Hatsumomo leads to a minor fire in the okiya, Hatsumomo faces banishment, marking a notable shift in the balance of power within their world. However, just as Sayuri’s bright career unfolds, it is abruptly halted by the onset of World War II. Relocated to the countryside, she endeavors to create kimonos while the war rages on.

As the conflict subsides, Nobu seeks Sayuri’s assistance in impressing an American Colonel for potential business funding. Complicated by the presence of Mameha, who begrudgingly supports her, and her former friend Pumpkin, who has turned escort, Sayuri embarks on a complex journey filled with unexpected emotions. During an outing to the Amami Islands, the Colonel’s advances toward Sayuri result in a confrontation with Nobu, who lays bare his feelings for her.

Determined to deflect Nobu’s affections, Sayuri concocts a scheme to spark jealousy, inviting trouble when Pumpkin intervenes. Her motivations are complex, hinging on her anger towards Sayuri for usurping her place as Mother’s preferred daughter. This internal conflict leads Sayuri to abandon her aspirations for the Chairman, ultimately redirecting her life.

Upon returning to Gion, Sayuri unexpectedly visits a tea house, where she anticipates a meeting with Nobu but encounters the Chairman instead. His profound confession of love lays bare his true feelings, hidden away out of respect for Nobu’s sentiments. This pivotal moment transforms their relationship, and as Sayuri bravely reveals her own emotions, they share an intimate kiss filled with long-suppressed passion. This encounter not only signifies a turning point for Sayuri but paves the way for a new chapter, reshaping her life’s path forever.