Memoirs of a Geisha- Chapter 25 Page 304 and Final Thoughts

Sayuri is a changed woman now that she had her misuzage. She is more mature and older now completely. She has become a full geisha now. She can turn her collar around as they say. All these traditions and customs that geishas have to actually finally become one is insane. There is so much you have to learn and do. Even though Sayuri is only eighteen she is going to be getting a danna, which is very young for her young age. Of course the guy that it is going to be is Nobu. It is almost like her life is over now. She will have to be devoted to him. What if he will want to have kids and everything with her already? I would not know what to think if I were Sayuri. She is probably hoping for that special someone to be her danna. Of course mother would do anything for money even if Sayuri must dedicate all her life to Nobu now. Hatsumomo sure got a kick out of Nobu being Sayuri’s danna since of all the scars on his face and all even though she does not have one so I really do not see what she is laughing about. That was very smart of Mameha to go collect her share of money from Mother since it will be a bad time for a while. I cannot believe what a crook Mother is. She is very frugal and a liar. She tried to rip Mameha off by only giving her ten percent instead of double what she offered. Mameha did everything for Sayuri and deserves all the money and mother really should not get any. Thank goodness Sayuri stuck up for Mameha instead of Mother or else I would have been upset with Sayuri. Since Sayuri did this for Mameha, she returned the favor by trying to talk mother into finding a different danna for Sayuri. I am not sure if it worked or not maybe they will say in the next few chapter. I hope Sayuri finds a different danna since she thinks of Nobu as a friends that would be kind of weird. I really wonder what is going to happen with the rest of this book. I really have no idea. I am thinking maybe in the end she will end up with the Chairman or even a totally new person that she really likes. In the end she is going to get out of being a geisha somehow and move to the United States. I really do not know how any of this will work out, but I am very curious. I will continue to read this book, but I really do not have time to blog anymore before my trip to Chicago, so I blogged up to page 304 and will continue reading while I am in Chicago because I can not wait to see what happens at the end of this books. I am really enjoying it. It is very interesting and educational at the same time. I learned a lot about the geisha society. I learned a little about Japan and the differences between the poor areas there compared to the rich party cities. I am anxious to see how this book ends up. I have become very fond of Sayuri and Mameha.

Memoirs of a Geisha- Chapter 24

Mother did decide to adopt her, which is a very good thing now Sayuri barely has to worry about Hatsumomo at all. In fact she can boss her around as much as she wants to. This was one of the most emotional and important chapters in the book. It was wear Sayuri’s mizuage takes place. It does seem that Mameha is a little upset of how the bidding for Sayuri went, since her danna ended up being one of the men bidding. That was a very strange twist to the story. I really did not expect the baron to bid for Sayuri, but I guess he was a little more than obsessed with her. I was shocked to see that Nobu had dropped out. He seemed so into Sayuri. I guess he was in it for more than what Mameha and Sayuri thought. The guys sure did auction off a lot. They paid a lot of money to be the first to explore Sayuri. This is a very weird concept I must say. It is rather gross if you ask me, and I feel really bad for Sayuri because she does not in anyway really like any of these guys. To bad the Chairman did not end up bidding for her or anything. He is probably too cheep for her. Sayuri was a very expensive girl. She made records technically not as much as Mameha, but still a lot of money. It just disturbs me how crazy this whole concept is and how obsessed some guys can be. It is actually uncalled for. This is what Sayuri has been preparing her whole life for and she barely has any idea what is going on. That is pretty amazing that her misuage had covered the cost of all the expenses she had. That is insane because she had a lot of debt built up. She is way more successful then Pumpkin is. The guy that ended up winning the bid was Dr. Crab, which was really weird because I would say he knows her the least. I really did not like this guy. He was crazy, messed up, and he makes me sick. I cannot imagine how nercous Sayuri was. She is giving everything she got to this man that paid dearly for her. He seemed very prepared. One thing that really grossed me out was the suitcase the guy brought with him. It had blood samples of every geisha he has been with. That is disturbing on so many levels. This part really made me want to vomit especially since the book went into great detail about it. To top it all off he kept a blood sample from when Sayuri had been in his doctor’s office with a cut and he was practically in love with it. This guy is a psycho in more than one way. He knew that Sayuri would be special the minute he laid eyes on her. That is just a little creepy if you ask me. The whole concept was an awkward mess why would some old guy pay to do that with a young girl. Sayuri definitely did not know what to do. At the end of this chapter Sayuri learns that the Chairman did not even invite her to his party, which means that he really did not care for her entertainment. I felt so bad for her at this point because I’m sure her heart was broken. This was just a very emotional chapter and the climax of the book I would say.

Memoirs of a Geisha- Chapter 23

Sayuri is getting older and more mature now I can tell by how she is starting to act and think. She has become very emotional and has been going through many events that will affect her the rest of her life. Sayuri is becoming a very popular girl. The artist that she had met previously had drawn the picture of her when he had first noticed her eyes. That remarkable picture that he had drawn of her is now all over the town of Gion. I would say her career is becoming a success. I would be very excited if I were her seeing my portrait on a poster everywhere. The dance recital event that she would be starring in sounds very intriguing and fun. The dance Mameha preformed seemed very deep and emotional, especially since when Sayuri said that she would never get the impression of the dance erased from her mind. Mameha must be an amazing dancer. Mameha sounds almost perfect in everything she does. She is one hundred times better the Hatsumomo. The book did not really describe how well Sayuri did in her dancing, but I am thinking that she did okay. I think it would be fun to attend and watch on of the dance events in Gion. I love watching people dance and perform things and they way they describe it in the book seemed like an awesome place. That was very nice of Nobu to wait for Mameha and Sayuri outside for so long. Even though he seemed very upset it took them so long he was still nice enough to give Sayuri a gift. I wonder if Mameha is becoming jealous at all this attention that Sayuri is getting. The gem that he gave Sayuri sounded very pretty, I would not have known what to say if I would have been in Sayuri’s shoes. Nobu is very interested in Sayuri. I wonder if he will be her highest bidder. I was surprised when Mameha told Sayuri to give Mother the gem that Nobu just had given her. I would have been upset to give it to that mean old lady especially since the Nobu gave it to her to enjoy. I guess Mameha knows what she is doing though, so it was probably a smooth move to give it to Mother. Now she knows Sayuri will be bid off her soon and that will give her a good advantage to adopt her. I think Mother could have been a littler more nicer though after Sayuri had handed her the gem, that made me a little mad. She is not appreciative of anything.

Memoirs of a Geisha- Chapter 22

I bet that would have been nerve racking to attend a party so far away without Mameha for the first time. I would have been scared on what to do, say or what would happen to me. I believe the Baron is very hot for Sayuri’s form. He sure did brag about her a lot to all of his guest making sure all the men got to meet her. It would have been weird to have everyone analyzing and taking pictures of me. Sayuri sure did get giggly when she seen the Chairman. The Chairman seems like such a good guy. As much as I want Sayuri to end up with him I do not think she will. He is so kind to her and nice, but there is just nothing there between them. I found it cute how the Chairman was so worried about if the Baron would like the gift he was. The sad part was that the Baron was so drunk that he barely had much of a reaction to the beautiful gift. I knew it was not a good idea for Sayuri to stay after the party so the Baron could give her a gift. He was way to fond of her to give her just a gift. She should have just gone home and not worried about it. He had some nerve to drag her to his bedroom. I would have been so scared if I were Sayuri especially since Mameha and the Chairman warned her how pushy the Baron could be. I cannot believe the Baron started taking off her clothes. That is such an invasion of privacy it is not even funny. I cannot even imagine what was going through Sayuri’s head. I was so afraid that the Baron was going to rape her lucky for Sayuri though he just examined her. He really had no right to do that though. Then in the end he gave her a beautiful kimono. I do not know if all that torture really would have been worth the kimono. I cannot imagine how hard it would have been to explain what happen between the Baron and Sayuri to Mameha especially since the Baron is Mameha’s danna. Despite the events that happen in this chapter I found it amusing that they have button up socks. I really cannot even imagine these kinds of socks. I would really like to see the pair. I would have been so embarrassed if I were Sayuri when the dresser was undressing me and he noticed that someone else had undone her clothes previously. I really would not have wanted to be in Sayuri’s position. I cannot imagine how emotional she must be right now.

Memoirs of a Geisha- Chapter 21

Mameha is a very clever girl. I like her a lot. She sure did get very excited when she knew that she could bring Dr. Crab and Nobu together in the same room. This is a very big deal for Sayuri, because they guys know who they will be competing against and Sayuri can flirt with either one while the other gets jealous. She sure could have a lot of fun in this position. While they were at the party she did have a very interesting conversation with Dr. Crab. He is completely into Sayuri big time he wants her badly. You can tell by the way he acts around her and the way his face reactions are described. I knew that the Baron was not a good guy. He is such a creep the way he talked about the beauties of women. He is a total pervert. I would feel so awkward if I were Sayuri because I know what these guys are after now, and even talking to them would make me feel uncomfortable. I really have no idea who I like better either Dr. Crab or Nobu. I really do not prefer either, which makes it hard to choose which one is the best. Nobu really does not like the Baron at all. I wonder why he even attended the party then, probably to keep Sayuri company. I find it very strange that the geishas walk the men to the bathroom. That is so weird and I really would not want to do that. Then what do they do casually wait outside until they are done? That is a little pathetic if you ask me. I cannot believe how offended the Baron became when Mameha said she would not be attending his party this year. He pretty much flipped out on her. It was like he was the most important guy in the world or something that she could not miss it. I guess he is a pretty important person in Mameha’s life though. I was a little confused when she mentioned something about a medical issue, and then said something about an abortion. Is she really going to get an abortion that day of the party? Do geishas get abortions all the time because that would be terrible and not right. Does that mean that Mameha is actually pregnant at the moment? That is really weird to think about. This would kind of be a very horrible life to lead. After the Baron learned of her medical appointment he did not seem as mad about her not coming, so I guess she really was getting an abortion. That was very nice, I think of the Baron to invite Sayuri in Mameha’s place. I wonder how Mameha feels about this? I would imagine not very happy but feels it would be best for Sayuri. For some reason I have a feeling that if Sayuri goes to the Baron’s party something bad is going to happen. The Baron seems like a very pushy man and I do not like him nor trust him. The only reason Sayuri is excited to attend this party is because the Chairman is going to be there, but I have a suspicion she will not even get to hang out with him or anything. It would probably be for the best that she drops this little crush she has on the Chairman because he does not seem that interested in her.

Memoirs of a geisha - Chapter 20

The conversation Sayuri had with Mameha changed her views and life forever. It would change any girl really. Hatsumomo really treats Pumpkin like a slave. She is always so tired and is pushed to her limits. She is constantly bossing her around. I feel really bad for Pumpkin and Sayuri really did not help much by pushing her to tell her what exactly Hatsumomo had said to Dr. Crab. Pumpkin had a mental break down to Sayuri. It is depressing to see what is happening to the girl. She hates Hatsumomo with a passion, but yet she has to put up with her crap every single day. She is one tough girl. Evil is too nice of a word to describe Hatsumomo she is a monster. Sayuri ended up getting the information she needed to get out of Pumpkin plus a bonus. Their Mother is planning on adopting Pumpkin, which in a way is happy for Pumpkin yet bad at the same time because if she does get adopted Hatsumomo will be staying in this place forever. Everyone will have to put up with her Sayuri’s whole lifetime career. Sayuri gave Nabu the gift that tells him she is ready to be bid on. They ended up plotting a time to run into Mr. Crab to give him his gift as well, which ended up going pretty awkwardly if you ask me. Like I predicted they had to beg for his trustworthiness and to believe them that Hatsumomo was lying about the whole neighbor boy thing. He eventually took the gift but I am not sure he was persuaded enough into believe them or Hatsumomo. It is kind of creepy that Mr. Crab is known for winning these kinds of bids on apprentice geishas. That is very sick if you ask me and to top it all of he has a wife. He seems like a pig if you ask me. I really do not know exactly where the book is going from here, but I am very curious.

Memoirs of a Geisha- Chapter 19

This chapter was a very important chapter. We learned a lot about what Sayuri’s main purpose for doing all of this is. They are going to pretty much be selling her virginity to the highest bidder. That is so sad and downright evil. I would be freaked out if I were Sayuri when she found this out. Especially since Nabu is known for these kind of things. He is the one that bought Mameha. That is not right at all, poor girls. I really would not want him around me no matter how nice of a man Mameha says he is. I find it amusing how repulsive Hatsumomo finds Nabu and that is why she has been being nice to Sayuri lately. She actually encourages her to hang out with this man. I really love the names that Sayuri gives to some of these people in the books. I really like Mr. Crab that is a good descriptive name. She sure has been hanging out with the artist and Mr. Crab. I cannot believe that Hatsumomo found out what Mameha has been planning to do with Sayuri, now she is going to ruin it. That was so cruel of her to spread a nasty rumor about Sayuri messing around with the neighbor boy just so the doctor will not bid on her. Hatsumomo really just needs to mind her own business, but in a way I guess Sayuri is her business. That was even cruel of the doctor to jump to conclusion and believe Hatsumomo without even confronting Sayuri about it. He just plain out ignored her after he found this out. I bet Mameha is going to have to beg him to come back to Sayuri and stuff. It was a very awkward position for Mameha to be in when she had to explain to what mizuage was. She describe it a very interesting way. I really cannot believe they are going to make Sayuri go through with all of this.