Memoirs of a Geisha Page #5

And now you are the most

celebrated geisha in all Miyako.

The most desired as well.

Pardon. Pardon me.

Pardon me. Sayuri.

Today, even the cherry blossoms

are envious of her.

There's something I've been wanting

to say to you for some time now.

I'd like to...

To thank you for your attention

to Nobu-san.

Nobu can be a difficult man.

So severe.

Hates parties, sake

only in moderation.

And he disdains geisha.

But he...

He's fond of you.

Because you admire him,

I respect him more.

He will never tell you himself.

He's far too modest.

We were fighting

in Manchuria together.

There was an explosion.

He protected me

from the worst of it.

As you might imagine,

I owe him quite a debt.

Nobu has taught me a great deal.

Patience, for one thing.

I, in turn, have tried to teach him...

...you have to savor life

while you can.

The lesson of the cherry blossom.

That is why Nobu likes you.

We must not expect

happiness, Sayuri.

It is not something we deserve.

When life goes well,

it's a sudden gift.

It cannot last forever.

Sayuri.

There you are.

I have a present for you.

Mameha asked me to show you

my kimono collection.

It's quite venerated.

My grandfather and father

collected kimono before me.

I've given a number

of valuable kimono to Mameha.

I like to give present

to beautiful girls.

It's for you.

Come. Have a closer look.

Isn't it lovely?

Try it on.

The Baron is too kind.

I will happily try it on with Mameha

when the Baron returns to Miyako.

Who knows when that will be?

Put it on now. Don't be shy.

Don't worry.

I am experienced in knotting obis.

And untying them as well.

Please. Mr. Bekku is waiting.

Bekku is waiting for no one.

Please!

Stop!

Please!

Stop now!

Sayuri...

...I only want to have a look.

No harm in that.

Any man would do the same.

I heard a message on the wind.

So careless.

- You have ruined all our plans.

- I did nothing.

Please, Sayuri, do not insult me.

I know the Baron better than that.

He gave me a kimono.

- You sold yourself for a kimono.

- I did not sell myself!

Today is the day I accept bids

for your mizuage.

What kind of price

can I hope to demand...

...with a finger pointed at your back?

He looked at me,

that's all, Onei-san.

You will be examined

at the mizuage ceremony.

If you are found to be worthless...

I am not worthless!

I am not worthless.

How much longer is this bidding

going to take?

Besides, who wants a plum when

someone has already had a bite?

What is it?

Twenty yen? Thirty?

This can't be the right amount.

I trust you agree.

I have won the wager.

Sayuri's made history.

No mizuage has ever been sold

for more. Not even mine.

Fifteen thousand yen.

Unbelievable.

Of course, none of it will go

to Sayuri.

Or to you, Mameha.

It goes to this okiya.

All 15,000 yen to this estate.

I do not understand.

That Sayuri will inherit

as my adopted daughter.

- What?

- You wouldn't dare.

I'm entitled to do as I choose.

But you promised

the okiya to Pumpkin!

Look at her. Still a virgin maiko.

- Pumpkin!

- Can't you adopt us both?

Quiet, Sayuri. I'm no fool.

Pumpkin would only be

Hatsumomo's puppet.

How long will it take before

you kick us out onto the street?

I have given you my life.

Yes.

Your impudence.

Your foul temper.

Who paid for the silk on your back?

The rice in your bowl?

The tobacco in that pipe of yours?

Who?

Don't exaggerate!

You have never even had a danna.

- Don't say it. Don't say...

- You chose that no-good Koichi.

- Stop it.

- Sneaking through your window...

- ... at all hours of the night.

- Quiet!

Not like a geisha.

Like a common prostitute.

Enough!

Besides, you are getting old.

But Sayuri?

Sayuri is destined

to become a legend.

My dear Okasan.

We will see...

...won't we?

Sayuri, your room is too small.

Take Hatsumomo's.

From now on,

your name is Nitta Sayuri.

May I congratulate you both.

You too.

Everything we wanted,

you made happen. Thank you.

May I ask who?

Dr. Crab.

Was Nobu disappointed?

Nobu did not bid.

It was against his mighty principles.

Dr. Crab was opposed by the Baron.

My Baron.

Do you want to know

the truth, Sayuri?

He was the highest bidder.

Forgive me.

But I let it go to Dr. Crab.

I think you understand why.

I swear to you, I am innocent.

Of course you are.

No man would ever bid so much

for a thing he had already taken.

It was my own fault.

I did not protect you.

Celebrate this moment, Sayuri.

Tonight, the lights in the hanamachi

all burn for you.

My daughter.

You are full geisha now.

What are you doing in my room?

I came to congratulate you.

Please get out.

Why, little Chiyo.

Look what I found.

His initials, how elegant.

You've been hiding your love

for a long time.

The sacrifice every geisha

must make.

Don't!

Isn't this where you keep it?

Next to your heart?

Give it back!

Give it back!

No!

Mother!

Pumpkin! Mother!

Kimono!

Kimono, Sayuri!

Kimono! Pumpkin!

I could be her.

Now I am geisha to this house.

I could be her.

Were we so different?

She loved once.

She hoped once.

I might be looking

into my own future.

Until the real future

came falling from the air.

Stop.

Oh, Korin. Have you seen Sayuri?

No. I don't know.

Chairman!

They are sending us away,

but they won't say where.

Osaka. But you must not go.

The city is a prime target.

Get your things, quickly.

Nobu and I are trying

to find safe havens...

...for as many of you

as we can. Come.

Here.

Work certificate. Nurse's aide.

Friend of mine is chief surgeon

in Kameoka.

What about Sayuri?

Can't we go together?

Don't worry.

She will be taken care of.

Here you are. Here we go!

Sayuri.

Sayuri! Come.

This is Arima.

He will take you into the hills.

Nobu has got a friend there.

A kimono-maker.

Anyone stops you, show them this.

- Do I have to go?

- It's remote. You will be safe.

What about you?

You said Osaka was dangerous.

Our factory is there.

I have no choice.

Go!

I will express your gratitude

to Nobu-san.

A year without news...

...except news

of death, defeat, shame.

Rumors of cities evaporating

into clouds of smoke.

Then another year...

...and then another...

...until the old life is a dream life.

Was I ever geisha?

Did I ever dance...

...holding a fan?

Who would hold a fan now...

...or paint their lips?

And then another year.

Nothing.

Rice.

Work.

Rice.

Work.

Nothing.

Sayuri!

Sayuri! A man from Osaka

has come to see you.

Nobu-san.

General Tottori was captured

and tried as a war criminal.

The Baron lost his fortune

and committed suicide.

What about the okiya?

Mr. Bekku is gone, but the others...

Auntie and Mother?

Indestructible, as always.

And the Chairman?

As well as can be expected.

This is all that remains

of our factories.

I'm so sorry, Nobu-san.

Sayuri...

We want to rebuild, but to do that

we will need your help.

What can I do?

Somewhere, under those rags...

...are you still the greatest geisha

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