Tales of a Golden Geisha (A-ge-man) (あげまん)

She was a foundling.

There, there... Don't cry.

Her foster parents named her Nayoko.

When she was in junior high, they placed her in a geisha house.

A geisha's life isn't all glamour.

Are you prepared for that?

Dad, Mom, thank you for everything.

Madam, I'm prepared.

Hips, your hips!

Your foot!

Play it again.

Sorry.

You're off key.

Good.

Now try. Lift your skirt.

Higher. Straighten the hems.

Now walk. Don't tread on the sill.

Let your skirt down. Don't step on the cracks.

Hold your hands to your chest.

Now sit and bow. Put your hands down. Reach out further.

Bow with your chest.

Don't show your back.

Now start again.

No! You mustn't rise with your hand on the table.

Stand in one fluid motion.

Very good!

Sit again. Stand.

Sit again. Stand.

Soon she became a junior geisha.

At 18, she contracted to become an "Official mistress" of a patron.

He was 62, a Buddhist bishop.

Cook his rice soft. My son has dentures.

Let the maid do all the housework.

He's not coming here to see some drudge with dishpan hands.

You're not his wife.

Don't let my son stay here overnight.

Send him home by midnight.

Another thing. Don't wear too much perfume.

We don't want any lingering scent.

Open an account at Mr. Chijiwa's bank.

Your allowance will be paid into it.

Y es.

Her deflowering came.

As customary, she danced "A Shallow River"

to reveal her legs to those present.

Please...

Please...

Life with her patron began.

You're fine.

So, how good is he?

At what?

Sex. What else?

Getting fondled with the lights on isn't really fun.

So that's what you do. Poor little thing.

She doesn't know what a hard cock is.

She doesn't stiff enough to hang a kettle from.

Like this. Hang a kettle on it.

You mustn't say such things to an old man.

Even if you hear them...

Nayoko asked her patron to send her to junior college

to learn secretarial skills.

It was school during the day and tending to him at night.

He started rising in the Buddhist hierarchy.

After 3 years he died.

This is a token of my son's love.

Here's the deed to this house.

Here's his will.

You treated him so well for someone so young.

Thanks to you he achieved the high rank he did.

Once he had you, he started climbing the ladder...

My daughter-in-law and I are grateful.

But from now on, ' you re on your own.

Seize your own happiness.

You can do it, I know that.

You're an a-ge-man.

You'll make any man lucky.

So find the right one.

A-Ge-Man... Tales of a Golden Geisha.

A decade later...

The right man hadn't surfaced.

Oops, my talisman.

Stop that!

You creep!

Let go!

No! You've been feeling me up!

Christ! Feel you up?

He's a masher!

Why feel up an ugly old maid?!

With a diamond on her middle finger showing she's free!

You're so frustrated you think every man is a masher!

Let me out!

Wait!

Don't be too choosy or you'll end up with a loser!

Thanks!

Not at all.

He wasn't a masher.

His button was caught on your dress. I saw it.

He was shrewd noticing your middle finger...

My name is Kotobuki. I'm engaged in this.

Computer Dating Service.

Computer matchmaking.

Our meeting like this is auspicious.

Let me help you.

Stop right here. I work at this bank.

Take my advice.

What?

Never lie to yourself.

You need someone.

You need a man. Admit it.

How?

Shout "I want a man!"

How could I...

Be brave. Shout "I want a man!"

I want a man.

I can't hear you.

I want a man.

That's better.

I want a man!

I want a man!

It makes me feel kind of good.

Do it again.

I want a man, I want a man, I want a man...

Morning. Sorry I'm late. How's the boss?

He's with Kikunojo, the kabuki actor.

And that man is waiting.

You're...

Darling!

Thank God, I'm on time!

That parking lot guy is so dumb...

What a tie! It's not the 60s. God, you embarrass me.

Don't slurp!

Heavy perfume!

"Branch Manager."

Mondo Suzuki, Manager... Sounds like a samurai.

You must ask for a transfer to Tokyo today.

Things don't work that way here.

But my father has already asked him.

Why do you keep doing things uninvited?

Why do you always complain?

Why can't you just thank me?

You're the complainer.

When did I do that?

Right now. By saying I always complain.

OK, if that's how you feel...

I wish you success in Paris.

Thank you so much.

Well, good-by.

Good morning.

Hello!

How is your father?

Always golfing, leaving everything to me.

Some other time.

Say...

Y es, sir.

My wife found another bachelor.

He's an undersecretary, 45, with one child.

She's so thoughtful...

I know you're not keen...

but an a-ge-man's luck is wasted without a man.

Thank you.

"I want a man..."

If a lady likes the candidate we choose...

we have her meet him in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong...

Yes. Exotic food and superb shopping...

They can relax and start knowing each other.

Oh, that's me.

Of course, they stay in separate rooms.

And a chaperone accompanies them.

If it looks promising, they go to Europe for ten days.

The chaperone also travels with them.

A touch of comedy...

Traveling can be stressful...

So they get to see the good and bad of one another.

If it doesen't work?

We do it again.

How much?

20million yen.

20 million!

The wedding is extra.

Everybody wants a different wedding.

It's well worth the price for a lifetime partner.

Who pays so much?

Rich people. Successful people...

But why do they need you?

Successful people are too busy.

No time for spouse-hunting.

That's why we're here.

I could never afford 20 million...

How about 200,000 yen then?

Pardon?

We have a "standard plan" for standard people.

Sometimes "deluxes" and "standards" get matched.

You don't have a boyfriend.

No.

You want a husband.

Y es.

But you're busy.

Y es.

Too busy to look.