A Geisha (祇園囃子)

Daiei Productions Presents

GION BAYASHI

Based on the original novel by KAWAGUCHI Matsutaro

Cast:

KOGURE Michiyo as Miyoharu, WAKAO Ayako as Eiko/Miyoei

KAWAZU Seizaburo as Kusuda, SHINDO Eitaro as Sawamoto

SUGAI lchiro as Saeki, KOSHIBA Kanji as Kanzaki

ISHIHARA Sumac as Kokichi, NANIWA Chieko as Okimi

MORI Kikue as the Geisha Instructor

Directed by MIZOGUCHI Kenji

Buy my crickets!

Buy my eels!

I also have sweets!

Buy my wares!

MIYOHARU

You're lying! Do you want your father to throw you out?

I can't bear useless men like you!

I can't believe you show your face here

when you still owe three months' fees to the tea house manager.

The pleasure district is reserved for those who can pay their way.

I want to marry you.

You're more to me than just a geisha.

I have absolutely no intention of getting married.

So you lied to me?

A geisha's lie is not a real lie.

It's a cornerstone of our profession.

Do we not amuse our clients by agreeing to all their requests?

Damn you!

Oi! Stop!

What are you doing? Stop it!

Just behave and go home!

You can come back here when you've paid off your debts.

I won't forget what you said!

Get him his shoes!

Who the hell does he think he is?

You gave it to him straight, though. What a hooligan.

He's just the spoilt son of a bad father.

Is that you, Eiko?

- May I see the Mistress? - What is it about?

Who is it?

It's the daughter of Ochiyo, your old colleague who died recently.

Oh? Show her in.

- Come in. - Thank you.

- What's happened? - Good day, madam.

Since my mother died, life with my uncle has become unbearable.

- He says she left nothing... - Very well. Come this way.

My mother left me nothing, and since her funeral was so expensive,

my uncle says I have to sleep with him to repay the debt.

How dare he talk to you like that.

The Mistress here paid for everything in memory of their close friendship.

Enough of that.

Listen, Eiko, why exactly have you come here?

I want you to help me become a trainee geisha.

Oh? A geisha, you say?

If I stay with my uncle, it'll just destroy me.

I want to follow in mother's footsteps.

The life of a geisha isn't all a bed of roses, you know?

- How old are you? - I'm sixteen.

- And you're registered...? - Under my mother's name.

And your father... What became of Mr Sawamoto?

I didn't see him at the funeral.

He's sick and his business is failing.

Apparently he's living in Nishijin.

I thought that may happen.

When your mother Ochiyo agreed to be his wife,

Mr Sawamotds business was very prosperous

and everybody envied her.

One can never predict one's fate.

Have you learnt the sham/sen and any dances?

My mother taught me a little.

Really?

Stand up for me.

Turn that way.

You have a beautiful figure.

Mistress, are you going to take her in?

I can't very well send her back to her uncle.

Even so, she's no stray kitten,

and as her father's alive, I have to get his permission.

Very well, I'll deal with that for you.

Kokichi, I'm sending you out on an errand.

You remember our former client from years ago? Mr Sawamoto?

It shouldn't be difficult to find him.

SAWAMOTO'S HABERDASHER GOODS

How dare she go and visit Miyoharu.

She's got some cheek, that girl!

I've not had any dealings with Miyoharu for some years now.

I was just a client, and she was just a geisha to me.

How could Eiko make such an embarrassment of herself

by going to see Miyoharu?

She didn't even discuss the matter with me.

That doesn't matter now. Will you become her guarantor or not?

The Mistress wants to observe the correct protocol and inform you

since she's the daughter of a respected former client.

Don't rush me.

You can see the poor state my health is in.

Please, allow me to do that.

I'm sick, and my business, too, is ailing.

I have enough to worry about. I can't pay for my daughter's expenses.

I'm not just a messenger boy, I can't go back without your agreement.

I understand the position you're in,

but the last thing I want is to interfere in Eiko's future.

And I refuse to sign my approval as her guarantor.

Henceforth, I want to break off all relations with her.

Now leave me alone.

To be fair to the Mistress, she can't be expected to take care of the girl.

Whatever it takes, you have to get his approval.

How long have you worked in Gion?

I know, I know, but he refuses to listen.

He can behave as he likes, but it's his own daughter!

That's what I said to him!

He's just a bitter old man!

Mistress, I'm sorry.

I knew my father would wash his hands of me.

Mistress, is there no way I can stay here without a guarantor?

You are the only hope I have, Mistress.

I know it's hard, but I have nowhere left to go.

I will train hard.

You really have no one to pay your expenses?

As I've resolved to do this, do I need a guarantor?

I implore you, teach me how to become a geisha.

I will practise diligently so I can become a true geisha.

That's easier said than done.

Do you have the perseverance?

I will try my hardest.

To become a first-class geisha like your mother,

you must train hard.

I will train diligently.

- You're sure? - Yes.

I've decided...

...to take this girl in.

Really? Thank you.

As you all probably know,

when foreigners visit Japan,

they see "Fujiyama" and "Geisha Girls" as representing the beauty of Japan.

Amongst those "Geisha Girls",

the most beautiful and emblematic are the geisha from here in Gion.

Like the tea ceremony and Nah theatre, those epitomes of Japanese culture,

we are living works of art.

We may even be called "intangible Cultural Assets".

All of you must exude both confidence and pride in yourselves

as symbols of the inherent beauty of Japan.

And you must train hard every day.

Yes, madam.

Like this.

Keep this one in. And look up.

She's been in training for only one year,

but she shows great aptitude.

She won't be an embarrassment if we send her out to clients.

How time flies. Is it really a year since she started?

- Yes. - I could make introductions for her.

Clients nowadays aren't as fussy about protocol as they used to be.

Still, she needs impeccable manners.

Yes, it was the same for me,

when I was a trainee geisha.

But that's not all.

She must be beautifully presented,

otherwise she'll be unable to compete with girls from wealthier houses.

You can't expect to attract good clients without the proper presentation.

I agree.

I'd like to do everything I can to give her a good start.

Let's see...

...you'll need about 300,000 yen.

Indeed.

That's why I wanted to ask for your assistance.

Don't be so foolish!

Haven't you got some money saved?

No, Mother.

If I had that kind of money, I wouldn't be in this awful position.

But I'm not a wealthy woman, either!

Well, as it's for you, I will do what I can to help.

I'm indebted to you, thank you so much.

Thank you.

- You're in luck! - Thank you.

Good morning!

Girls making their debut are always the first to arrive at the crack of dawn.

You can't have slept much with all the excitement.

I'll make you so beautiful that every client will want you.

And you mustn't fall in love, it's bad for business!

Instead, you should pray to the gods to find you a good patron.

Yes, I will.

- Good morning! - Morning.

So, from today you'll be called Miyoei,

and you'll be apprenticed to the Mistress.

You must never forget that, right?

Do you realise how much all this costs? Your kimono, collar and belt,

your combs and the sandals that you're wearing?

More than 200,000 yen, you know!

Even if you work hard and entertain many clients,

you won't even make a third of that!

So, when you look at all these beautiful things,

you'll appreciate how much the Mistress has done for you, eh?

Saeki, Kokichi, I've brought you two something.

- Thanks. - Thank you.

Mistress, I ask for your blessing.

Whichever tea house you enter, you must greet the owner politely.

I shall.

She's the one who will recommend you to her customers,

so speak respectfully.

- Good day. - Congratulations! All the best!

- Please give us your blessing. - Congratulations!