Memoirs of a Geisha

In 1929, sisters Chiyo and Satsu are sold by their impoverished father in Kyoto. This drastic decision alters the course of their lives, leading them down very different paths in the world of geishas and forced prostitution.

Chiyo finds herself taken in by Kayoko Nitta, known as 'Mother,' who operates an okiya where young girls are trained to become geishas. This new environment offers Chiyo a chance to escape her bleak circumstances, although it is fraught with its own challenges.

As Chiyo adjusts to life in the okiya, she meets various characters including Pumpkin, a fellow aspiring geisha, and Hatsumomo, a cruel senior geisha who views Chiyo as a threat to her status. These early interactions set the stage for intense rivalries.

Chiyo inadvertently ruins a cherished kimono belonging to Mameha, a respected geisha in Gion. This mistake leads to severe repercussions from both Auntie and Mother, further solidifying her difficult position within the okiya.

In a desperate bid for freedom, Chiyo confides her escape plans to Hatsumomo. However, her attempt backfires when she discovers Hatsumomo with Koichi, which leads to her being framed for theft and suffering significant punishment.

Chiyo faces brutal punishment from Mother, stripping her of her geisha training and forcing her into menial tasks to repay her debts. This harsh treatment leaves her feeling dejected and longing for a different life.

Chiyo grapples with the heartache of losing her sister Satsu and realizing her parents have died. In a moment of unexpected kindness, she encounters Chairman Ken Iwamura, whose gesture of offering her a sweet reignites her hope and spirit.

Years later, Chiyo, now known as Sayuri, receives training from Mameha after Mother reinvests in her education. Sayuri's debut is a success, resulting in a bidding war for her deflowering ceremony, marking her rise in the geisha world.

After a disastrous and drunken incident leads to a minor fire in the okiya, Hatsumomo faces banishment. This event shifts the dynamics and power within the okiya, allowing Sayuri to gain a more prominent position.

The onset of World War II disrupts Sayuri's flourishing career as she is relocated to the countryside. During this time, she attempts to adapt by creating kimonos and facing the struggles brought by the war.

As the war subsides, Nobu seeks Sayuri's help to impress an American Colonel, spurring complex emotions and a tangle of relationships with Mameha and Pumpkin. Sayuri finds herself navigating her feelings amidst their dramatic history.

In an effort to fend off Nobu's affections, Sayuri concocts a plan to make him jealous, inadvertently involving Pumpkin. This leads to a confrontation that complicates their friendship and Sayuri's path forward.

Upon returning to Gion, Sayuri visits a tea house expecting to meet Nobu but unexpectedly encounters the Chairman instead. In this pivotal moment, he confesses his love for her, forever changing the course of their relationship.

This intimate encounter leads to a passionate kiss between Sayuri and the Chairman, signifying a turning point in her life. With her feelings revealed, Sayuri embraces a new chapter filled with love and hope for the future.