An Analysis Of The Translation Of Cultural Terms In The Subtitling Of “Memoirs Of A Geisha” Movie

  

APPENDIX I

Biography of Arthur Golden

  Arthur Golden was born in 1956 and brought up in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He is a 1978 graduate of Harvard College with a degree in art hitory, specializing in Japanese art. In 1980, he earned an M. A. In Japanese history from Columbia University, he also learned Mandarin Chinese. After a summer at Beijing University, he went to work at a magazine in Tokyo. In 1988, he received an M. A. In English from Boston University. He was lived and worked in Japan and since that time has been teaching, writting, and literature in Boston area. Now, he lives in Brookline, Massachusetts, with his wife and children.

  After it released in 1997, Memoirs of a Geisha spent two year on The Newyork Times bestseller list. It has sold more than four million copies in English and it has been translated into thirty two languages around the world.

  The movie “Memoirs of a Geisha” is a novel that was written by Arthur Golden after interviewing a number of geisha and background information about the world of geisha, especially in Japan.

  In 2005, Memoirs of a Geisha was made into feature movie directed by Rob Marshall and its garnering three Academic Awards.

  

APPENDIX II

Texts of “Memoirs of A Geisha”

By : Rob Marshall

  A story like mine should never be told for my world is as forbidden as it fragile. Without misteries, it cannot survive. I certainly wasn’t born to the life of a

  

Geisha like so much in my strange life... I was carried there by the current. The first

  time I knew my mother was sick...was when my mother threw the fish back into the sea. The night we went hungry. “ To understand emptiness,” he told us. Mother always said my sister Satsu was like wood. As rooted to the earth a Sakura Tree. But, she told me I wa like water. Water can curve its way, eventhough stone. And when trapped, water makes a new path.

  Tanaka : Stop here! Auntie : These are the girls from Tanaka? Tanaka : Sister, yes, From Yoroido.

  Auntie : This one, maybe. The other one no. Satsu : No, no, Chiyo! Chiyo! Chiyo : Satsu! Satsu!

  Auntie : Show your respect for mother. You must not speak. I will answer for you.Kneel!! And head down. Never look her in the face.

  Mother : How old are you? Auntie : She is Year of the Rooster.

  Mother : Only nine. Chiyo : Where is my sister? Mother : Let me see those eyes. Look at me. Too much water.

  Auntie : But, Okasan, a little water is good to guard against fire. You won’t have to worry about the Okiya burning...losing all your Kimono.

  Mother : These country girls, too late to send her back now. Auntie : Go. Pumpkin, keep her quiet. Mother is downstairs. Chiyo : Let me go! Let me go! Let me go! Pumpkin : Stop that! Chiyo : Let me go! Pumpkin : Mother will hear you, she’s got a bamboo stick.

  Chiyo : I want my sister! Sastu! Pumpkin : I cried too at first. You know, it is easier if you just forget everything that happened before you came to the Okiya, if you impress mother and do exactly as she says...she will send you to school to be a Geisha. Chiyo : A what? Pumpkin : A Geisha. Like Hatsumomo. You will get to drink Sake and sleep until noon.

  Chiyo : Where is my sister? Pumpkin : Probably in another Okiya in the Hanamachi. Your family sold you to this house. You live here now.

  Hostess : Outside, you wear these, inside, these. We won’t display our naked feet like monkeys. It’s not fresh we’re selling here. This is a Geisha house.

  Remember to always honor this Okiya. You listen, you learn. Now, get the work.

  Auntie : Be quiet, Hatsumomo is sleeping. Chiyo : Pumpkin, when can I go outside? Pumpkin : Outside the Okiya?? You can’t. It’s allowed.

  Chiyo : How will I find Satsu?? Pumpkin : You can’t just walk up to every house in the Hanamachi. Do you know how many there are? Look! Tighter!

  Pumpkin : Chiyo! Chiyo! Chiyo – chan ! Come, two night ago. Hatsumomo had to stay at the tea house until dawn. That’s what she told mother. But she was really here with a man the whole. Hatsumomo : Why can’t you be quiet? So this is the new arrival. A pity she still stinks of fish. Stay out of my room. Your fingers smell. I can’t have you touching my things. Mother : Only reason mother tolerates Hatsumomo is because she brings in good money. Never forget, it is Hatsumomo who pays for your upper...the clothes on your back. By the time she was 20... she had already earred back her purchase price. Unheard of. She has been the talk of the Hanamachi ever since. Chiyo : These are all hers? Auntie : Certainly not. They belong to Okiya. A Kimono like this, made of

  Tatsura Silk... it would take a lifetime to learn. A Geisha needs an elegant wardrobe..just like an artist need ink. If she’s not properly dressed, then she is not a true Geisha. Chiyo : Nobody told me what a Geisha is. Auntie : You will find out soon enough. I have news for you, child. Mother has determined itnis off to school with you. You are become Geisha.

  Hostess : Chiyo! Quick! Don’t be late! You will be late! Go! Go! Pumpkin : This way! Chiyo : Pumpkin! Pumpkin! I’m going to run! I’m going to find Satsu.

  Pumpkin : No, Chiyo – San, don’t! You will ruin your own chances and mine too.

  Please, stay with me. Squid. Come on! Look for your sister’s name later.

  Teacher : You are late! Auntie : Chiyo! Where is Granny’s food? Where have you been! It’ freezing cold! Close the window! Chiyo! Chiyo! Come quickly! Hatsumomo is at the bath house. Tidy up! Chiyo : But she told me to stay out.

  Auntie : Hatsumomo doesn’t run this Okiya. Hatsumomo : Why, look who’s in my room. Did you touch this? I can just hear the general now. “ Why, Hatsumomo, you smell of jasmine. What’s this new parfume? Blowfish? I told you never to touch my things. Can’t you understand why?

  Chiyo : Because your General will say, “Hatsumomo, you stink”. Hatsumomo : At least you don’t smell as bad as your sister. You know, she was here. She came by looking for you.

  Chiyo : What? Hatsumomo : Was I wrong to ask her to leave? Chiyo : Please, tell me where she is.

  Hatsumomo : Only if you swear yourself to me first. Yes? Now, get out! Korin : Hatsumomo, you’ll wake the entire house. Your big sister is thirsty. So am I? Go get us some beer.

  Hatsumomo : I’m not in the mood for beer. Korin : Mood for, and his name is Koichi. Hatsumomo : What did you say, Korin?

  Korin : I’m sorry, I forgot. Hatsumomo : You’re just jealous someone cares for me. Korin : Guess who this belong to. Hatsumomo : A Geisha as desired as she is...ought to keep a close eye on her clothes.

  Korin : It’s Mameha’s? Hatsumomo : Yes.

  Korin : How you get it? Hatsumomo : Bribed her maid.. there.

  Korin : I can’t. Give it to her. Hatsumomo : Preety Chiyo. Come. Come Chiyo. Now, then, little Chiyo. It’s time to practice your calligraphy. There. Remember, you swore yourself to me Yes. Don’t let anybody see you. Go! Go!. This will teach the great Mameha. Come, come.

  Mameha : Thieving Rat! That Kimono wa worth more than! Auntie : Carefull! You will hurt yourself more than her! Let me! Kneel! What have you done to Hatsumomo.

  Chiyo : I Haven’t done anything. I promise. Auntie : Her little trick with that Kimonowill cost you. What ever you done to anger her, you’d be wise to stop now. Lie facedown! I will beat you hard... so mother does not beat you harder. Hatsumomo : I told you not to let anybody see you. Chiyo : I have kept my promise. So tell me, where is she? Hatsumomo : She’s in the next Hanamachi in the house called Tatsuyo. In the pleasure district. Trust me, little chiyo, you will find her.

  Chiyo : Tatsuyo! Satsu! Satsu! Satsu! Satsu fro Yoroido! Satsu! Satsu! Satsu : Chiyo – Chan! What took you so long? Chiyo : But, Satsu! Sastu! I tried! Satsu : I went to you Okiyaweeks ago. They laughed and turned me away.

  Chiyo : Please... I did not know! Satsu : I’ve missed you so much! Let’s leave, to night. But, we need money, chiyo. I know I can steal some firstthing tommorow.

  Chiyo : No, please! Please! To night! Satsu : No, tommorow! Meet me at the Sasame bridge as soon as it’s dark.

  Now I have to go. Quickly, before someone catches us. Chiyo : What if I cannot get away? Satsu : Be there, Chiyo. It’s our one chance. Once I’ve left, I can’t go back.

  I’ve waited as long as I can, now go! Koichi : What is she doing here? She”s seen us.

  Hatsumomo : Stupid girl, why have you come back? Your perfect chance to escape! Get in! Koichi, please.

  Koichi : Look at us. Sneaking around like criminals. Hatsumomo : Koichi, don’t! Koichi : It’s degrading? Mother : Who’s there? Hatsumomo : Koichi. Go! Now go! Mother : Show your face.

  Hatsumomo : Look Okasan! I caught her stealing! She was running away with her sister, the whore!

  Mother : You little thief! Chiyo : No, she is lying! Mother : After all we have done for her.

  Chiyo : I saw her with a man! Right there! His name is Koichi! Hatumomo : Shut up! We should kick her out! Mother : Take her arms. You are never to see him again. What do you think? A

  Geisha is free to love? Never. Bolt the gate! No one is leaving this Okiya. Dr. Moro is very expensive. You seem to be racking up quiet a

  debt Kimonodestroyed.. Geisha school rice and pickles, train ticket, Mr. Bekku. All this on top of the money I paid Mr. Tanaka. And for what? And now I hear that your sister has run away. She didn’t wait for you. And now she can never come back. You must forget you ever had a sister.

  Auntie : Dear satsu and little chiyo, as one who was once an orphan child my self..this humbleperson is sorry to inform you..that six weeks after you left for your new life in Miyako,, the suffering of your honored mother came to its end. And only few weeks afterward.. your honored father departed this world as well. This humble person feels confident both your honored parents..have found their places in paradise. But, happily...”

  At the temple...there is a poem called “loss” carved into the stone. It has three words. But, the poet has scratched them out. You can not read “loss” only feel it. My father and mother had left this life. My sister, I never heard of again. I had dishonored the Okiya . So, mother had other plan s for me. I would pay back my debt.....,year after year after year. Not as a Geisha, as a slave. Chairman : It is preety a lady to be so unhappy. Did you fall down? Why so shy?

  Nothing to be ashamed of. We all stumble from time to time. Yo see that enchanting lady in green? Once, when she was just a Maiko, she tells clean off her woode shoes. Another Geisha : It’s true, I did. Chairman : And now look at her. So elegant. Another Geisha : Mr. Chairman., shouldn’t we hurry? We will miss the beginning. Chairman : We see the Spring Dances every year. We can spare at moment.

  What’s your name? Don’t be afraid to look at me. Do you like sweetplum or cherry? Chiyo : You meant, to eat?

  Chairman : I like sweetplum myself. Come. No one of us find as much kindness in this life a we should. Hi, both kinds, my children wait for these every spring. Chiyo : Now, I’m a Geisha too. Chairman : And so you are. How did you came by such supprising eyes? Chiyo : My mother gave them to me.

  Chairman : Generous of her, won’t you? There, now. That is your give to me.

  This will buy your supper. Now, promise me one thing. Next time you take a tumble, no frowns. That’s better.

  In that moment....I changed from a girl facing nothing but emptiness..to someone with purpose. I saw that to be a Geisha..could be a stepping stone to something else : a place in his world.

  The money of the chairman had given me could have bought fish and rice for a month. But, I gave it back in prayer...keeping only his handkerchief. I asked one day to become a Geisha. And then, somehow, to meet him again. Pumpkin : Chiyo – Chan, I can’t find my comb! Did you find it yet? Auntie : Pumpkin, it’s time to go! Chiyo : I found it!

  Pumpkin : Arigato, Chiyo. Oh,, I couldn’t sleep to night, I was so worried about my stupid hair. Am I lopsided? You look beautiful.

  Mother : With your hair like that....you look more like a pumpkin than ever.

  Don’t poke your neck forward like a tortoise. Hatsumomo : She’s not ready? We will be late. Mother : This time..time your shamisen, before you play. When you make a fool of yourself, your big sister gets the blame.

  Hatsumomo : Stop crying, your face will run. Chiyo : Pumpkin.

  The winter I turned 15, I saw the chairman again. But, that wasn’t the only surprise fate brought me at the season. Along with the snow came a most unexpected visitor. Mother : Why is she here? Chiyo! Chiyo! Open the gate... Mameha : Now that your belover granny is gone..you’ll have no need for a maid. Mother : I would never question the great Mameha....but you could choose anyone in the Hanamachi...you flatter me truly. I’d give you my pumpkin if she were not already tied to Hatsumomo... Mameha : Please.. I would never dream of asking.. Mother : Besides, I could always sell chiyo to Mrs. Tatsuyo.. Mameha : With your eye for beauty and nose for talent,,, surely you can see what a terrible waste the would be.

  Mother : If you were not the kindheartes Geisha, I know you to be, then I mightthink you were scheming against Hatsumomo.

  Mameha : Then I’m greatful, Mrs. Nitta that you don’t have a suspisious mind. Mother : Perhaps you can pique my interest with....

  Mameha : Yes?? Mother : ...Your offer.

  Mamemha : I will cover Chiyo’s schooling all her expenses...till after her debut. Mother : Now, I am confident you are teasing. Mameha : I could not be more sincere. If Chiyo hasn’t repaid her debt within six months after her debut.

  Mother : Impossible! Too little time. Mameha : ...then I will pay you twice over. Mother : What?? No Geishaa could over... Mameha : Iam certain you will not object to one trivial condition.. Mother : Yes? Mameha : If Chiyo erases her debt in the time allowed...you will have no part in the future earnings..

  Mother : It’s too good to be true. Mameha is up to something, she isn’t in it for the money. That much is for certain. Rumor has it, ever since the prime minister bought her mizuage... Chiyo : She’s been rich. Mother : That so? Absurb to think she noticed chiyo. Hatsumomo : It’s that Kimono . She remembers how you destroyed it. Now she wants to get even. And sold picture, isn’t it? Mother : Hatsumomo sweeping into te house after teahouse with our little pumpkin. And mahema with our maid.

  Chiyo : I’m so far behind. I will never catch up to you. Pumpkin : Don’t worry, chiyo – chan. I will help you.

  Chiyo : Pumpkin! This is how it was, this tiny world of women. Freind turned againstfriend and now the twoo greatest Geisha in miyako at war over me Hatsumomo at my back.Mameha calling offering one chance..to become one of those elegant women I’d seen on the bridge..floating in a silk Kimono, the chairman at my side..

  Mameha : Chiyo is my new protegee. Baron : As lovely as her big sister. And with eyes the color of rain. Mameha : The Baron is a very special man to me. My Danna. Mameha : Someday, if you are fortunate, you will have a patron too. Don’t knell.

  You are not a servant girl anymore. Step into the light. I see water in you.

  Chiyo : Does that displease you? Mameha : Water is powerful. It can wash away earth, put out fire adn even destroy iron. But you have not drawn on those strengths, have you? Chiyo : About your Kimono? Mameha : You may apologize if you wish why, that is a perfect bow..for pig farmer.. don’t drop your head. Fingertips together. Elbow in. No weight on the hands. Yes.. as for Kimono, I’m no fool Chiyo. Hatsumomo cannot tolerate competition.

  Chiyo : Not to me... Mameha : Well, someday soon, she will have to name an heir, one of her own

  geisha to succeed her. Strange, isn’t it? She has not adopted Hatsumomo.

  Chiyo : That would be like repeasing the tiget from its cage. Mameha : You have a gift for expression..and if Mrs. Nitta adopts Pumpkin..that is hardly a threat. But, a young girl with eyes like rain....

  Chiyo : But Mrs. Nitta would never choose me. Mameha : On the contrary, that is our goal. Chiyo : It is? Mameha : Of course. If you do not in heritthe Okiya, then we will all be at the tiger’s mercy. Water’s always in such a hurry perhaps it is just as well. We have no time to lose. Chiyo : Mameha, when does a Geisha choose her Danna? Mameha : I’m afraid it’s the other wsay around focus on your studies, chiyo.

  That’s the surest way to attract a Danna. On your feet, not off them. Remember chiyo, geisha are not courtesans. And we are not wives. We sell our skills, not our bodies. We create another secret world. A place only of beauty. The word “geisha” means “artist”. And to be a geisha is to be judged aqony and beauty, for us, live side by side. Your feet will suffer, your finger will bleed, even sitting and sleeping will be paintful. You can not call yourself a true geisha until you can stop a man in his tracks with a single look.

  Chiyo : No one can do that. Mameha : Choose someone for me. Chiyo : The gray hat. Choose someone for me, Onei –San. Mameha : The boy on the bike, with one look. You are ready.. hurry up! You are not makingmoney standing there gawking at yourself. For luck!

  This binds us together forever as sisters. Mameha : Today, you leave your childhood and cast away your name from this day forward, you will be known as : “Sayuri”.

  Chiyo : When Mameha granted me my new name...I felt little Chiyo disappear behind a white mask with red lips. I was a Maikonow. An apprentice

  geisha. From that moment, I told myself: “when I make tea, when I

  pour Sake... when I dance, when I tie my obi...it will be for the chairman until he finds me until I am his”.

  Mameha : Ready? Chiyo : Oneisan,, thank you.

  Baron : Friends...we have the pleasure to witness the debut of a new Meiko.. I remember those eyes. What was her name? Chiyo : Sayuri.... Baron : Determined, isn’t she? If there’d been a drop of tea in the pot, Sayuri would have gotten it out.

  Mameha : Don’t tease, Baron, it is her very first time. Hatsumomo : What a beautiful dance, yes Pumpkin? Her fans are so hypristic.. that you ever notice her feet. What’s her name? Mameha : Her name is Sayuri... Hatsumomo : Sayuri?? A name as sweet as she is. I’m afraid these days...even a common chambermaid can call herself a Geisha. So, it’s nice to ee such a sincere young Maiko, isn’t it? Baron : Why, Yes..

  Mameha : Surely you would like to thank Hatsumomo..for her gracious compliments..

  Chiyo : There is so much I would like to say to Hatsumomo. Hatsumomo : Sometimes the smartest remark is silence... Chiyo : What better advice to follow than your own? Hatsumomo : Sayuri, I was a Maiko myself once, of course..

  Chiyo : But it’s been such a very long.. long..long..long time... Hatsumomo : I shall distoy you.

  Mameha : All in the hope that Mrs. Nitta adopts Pumpkin instead of you. Chiyo : What can we do??? Mameha : We’ve got to out with her to find a place somewhere beyond her reach. Where you can practice your skills without any interference, your first Sumo watch.. Chiyo : What?? Mameha : Today, you will meet I Wanna Ken. He is head of the Iwamura

  Electric Company in Osaka. My client for years. We will entertain him and his partner, Nobu.. We may find Nobu queite a challenge. He does not like geisha. Be attractive, I will do the rest Chairman Iwamura, President Nobu. This is my new younger sister, Sayuri..

  Chairman : Nobu – San. Mameha : Sayuri, is this your first Sumo match? Nobu – San will have to educated you. I can not tell one wresrler from the text.

  Nobu – San : That is the Chairman’s diplomatic way of saying he hates Sumo. Chairman : Did you notice our contibution?We are hernessing the power of water..to bring electricity to some of the smaller villages.

  Mameha : It was in the newspapers, wasn’t it? Nobu – San : With Chairman’s picture. You compensate for all my short comings, don’t you? Chiyo : May I ask, how does someone harness the power of watter? Chairman : You should never ask an engineer to explain a thing, because he will.

  Nobu – San : Let the girl watch Sumo... Mameha : Hatsumomo, that snake. Quick, turn your attention to Nobu.. Chiyo : But, Mameha,, Neisan..

  Mameha : Hatsumomo finds him repulsive. She’d never steal him away. Mislead her, Go..

  Chiyo : Perhaps, Nobu – San will be kind enough to explain the rules of match. Nobu – San : Three things matter in life : Sumo, bussiness and war. Understand one, you know them all. But, why should a geisha care? You spend your time pluckins strings and dancing.. Chiyo : I humbly beg to differ. What is Sumo but a dance between giants?What is business but a dance between companies? I’d like to know about every kind of dance. Nobu – San : They are throwing salt to purify the ring. That man is miyagiyama, the greatest finger in Japan...

  Chiyo : But he’s so tiny... Nobu – San : Only compared to his opponent, Miyagiyama may use Hataki – Comi.

  Are you listening? Chiyo : Yes...

  Nobu – San : Hataki Comi is a movement the smaller combatant usues...to throw the larger man off balance.. Victor does not always belong to the powerful look, there, in his eyes... Mameha : I’m afraid our time has come to a close. Chair : Going so soon?? Nobu – San : Not yet. I want her to see now that is Hataki – comi ! Chiyo : I see now why you like Sumo,,, you can never judge a man’s power by his appearence alone.

  Nobu – San : Mameha...you may bring her again... Mameha : Come in. To night we will deliver a quick below to Hatsumomo, Hataki – comi..

  Chiyo : How?? Mameha : We will meet Nobu – San ... at the Tsunashima restaurant. But first, a visit to Dr. Crab.

  Chiyo : Dr. Crab? Mameha : It’s a little nickname..he’s earned over the years. Hold still. I have something in mind, A plan. Now, cut your leg where I’ve marked it.

  Chiyo : What? Mameha : Or I will do it for you..

  Chiyo : Have you gone mad? Mameha : Do you trust me or don’t you?? Well? Go ahead, do it..

  Dr. Crab : Careless with the sewing scissors, were you? Right through your beautiful Kimono. Such a pity...

  Mameha : It won’t leave a scar, will it? Sayuri is a special girl at a very special time in her life.

  Dr. Crab : Yes,, With those eyes, you must be queit a commodity. Clean cut, won’t leave a mark, I promise. But, I had best Presorible a bit of antiseptic. Mameha : Ekubo, at the right moment, slip it to Nobu – san discreatly. He will know what it means.

  Nobu – san : You have kept us waiting. Mameha : Please, forgive us, Nobu – san... Nobu – San : The chairman thinks I should take more pleasure in life, music and the theather. What is your impression? Chiyo : It is useless to push a cart sideways, one could not wish Nobu – San. Chairman : I could not agree more.. I owe this man everything...

  Nobu – san : He gives me too much creadits, as ussual.. Chairman : Probably... Nobu – San : It is a trinket.. I found it a few days ago.. Chairman : Nobu – San. I had no idea you were so sentimental.. Nobu – San : Call it my new leaf.. my mother, she used to wear something similar.

  You don’t like it? Chiyo : Forgive me,, I’ve never received a present before.

  Hatsumomo : What a beautiful comb. Such a joyous moment, Sayuri. You are finally getting what you deserve.

  Chiyo : How lovely.. Hatsumomo : And now, will you excuse us, please? We have another engagement.

  Many infact, Pumpkin... Chiyo : You are most kind.. Mameha : Now, give this one to Dr. Crab. Chiyo : Mameha,m please?? Mameha : You’re upset? Chiyo : I want to trust you, I do.. but you have tell me what’s going on..

  Mameha : I am ensuring your future. Chiyo : But tell me how I beg you... Mameha : I’m trying to orchestrate a bidding war. Chiyo : For what? Mameha : You most precious attribute.

  Chiyo : And what is that?

  Mameha : Your Mizuage,,, Bid mother ever tell you about the eel in the cave? Well. Every once in a while.. a man’s eel likes to visit a woman’s cave....

  Chiyo : Yes,, I know.. Mameha : Yes do? Chiyo : I like Hatsumomo..

  Mameha : Your cave is untouched men like that. We call this Mizuage...and to become a full Geisha, you must sell it to highest bidder.

  Chiyo : Did you sell yours? Mameha : The largest sum ever paid. Ten thousand yen. I freed myself from debt, and so will you? Chiyo : When you slip the rice cake to Dr. Crab...it is a sign that says your Mizuage is ripe for sale...

  Mameha : The most famous Geisha in the Hanamachi.. Hatsumomo : I’m asking you, Okasan.. Mameha : Today is the day I accept bids for your Mizuage.. Chiyo : He looked at me,, that’s all Onei – San.. Mameha : You will be examined at the Mizuage ceremony.. Hatsumomo : But you promised the Okiya to Pumpkin.. Mother : Look at her, still a virgin Maiko.. You have never even had a Danna. Hatsumomo : My dear Okasan.. Mother : From now on, Your name is Nitta Sayuri.. Mameha : The baron gave it to me when he become my Danna.. Chiyo : Thank you, Onei – San..

  Geisha is an artist of floating world. She dances, she sings, she entertains you, whatever you want. The rest is shadows. The rest is secret.

  Chiyo : Chairman, where is Nobu – San? Chairman : He won’t be coming.

  Chiyo : Is something wrong? Chairman : He knows what happened on the island..Please, you don’t have to explain.

  Chiyo : But I have shamed myself so deeply, pst all forgiveness. Chairman : No, I’m the one who must be forgiven. Chiyo : I don’t understand. Chairman : Perhaps,, If you had only known the truth. Chiyo : The truth? Chairman : Some years ago.. I was on my way to the theather. I saw a little girl weeping by the Sunagawa. I stopped to buy her a cup of sweet ice.

  Chiyo : You knew I was that little girl? Chairman : Didn’t is ever wonder why mameha took you under her wing? Chiyo : Mameha came to me because of you. I wish you could have told me long ago.

  Chairman : What could I do? I owe Nobu my life. And so, when I saw he had a chance at happiness with you, I stood silent. But, but I cannot any longer . I hope it is not too late. Do’t be afraid to look at me, Chiyo.. Chiyo : Can’t you see? Everysleep I have taken since I was that child on the bridge...has been to bring myself cliser to you....

  You cannot say to the sun,, “ More Sun” or to the rain, “ Less rain”. To a man, Geisha can only be half a wife. We are the wives of nighfall. And yet, to learn

  of kindness..after so much unkindness,, to understand that a little girl with more courage than she knew..would find her prayers were answered...can that not be called happiness??...after all....these are not the memoirs of an empress, nor of a queen. These are memoirs of another kind..

  ....................THE END........................