by Arthur Golden, 1997
Intricate tale about a young girl (Chiyo) with beautiful gray eyes, sold to be a geisha from her seaside home. Separated from her sister (Satsu) in Kyoto, raised in an “okiya” with Hatsumomo, an evil geisha who tries to ruin her life. Crying by the Sirakawa stream one day, she meets a kind man who gives her his handkerchief. She keeps it, decides to become a geisha, and does. She meets him about 5 years later as an apprentice geisha. His partner, Nobu, falls in love with her and works for many years to try and become her Danna. She knows if she becomes Nobu’s, she will never be able to be the Chairman’s, so she betrays Nobu with another man on the island of Amima(?). The disgusting Minister, and Pumpkin, leads the Chairman to see her, rather than Nobu. Sayuri (Chiyo’s geisha name) feels her plan has backfired but the Chairman (of Iwamuri Electric) forgives her where Nobu cannot, and becomes her Danna. Most of the story takes place in “Gion” district of Kyoto. Set in 1940’s – present. Geisha are entertainers, mostly, in teahouses. They pour sake, tell stories, jokes, drinking games. They are not prostitutes. If a man wants one, he becomes her “danna” and keeps her like a mistress. Her virginity was sold to the highest bidder, Dr. Crab, called “mizuage.” Mameha was the geisha who became Chiyo-Sayuri’s older sister and trains her up. Loved the kimonos!!