Characters // Mary A.

Nitta Sayuri / Sakamoto Chiyo:

-main character

-protagonist

-narrator

-has interesting gray-blue eyes

-mature, brave, nice, polite, clever, descriptive with her words

-was taken from her parents at a young age by Mr. Tanaka to become a geisha
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Hatsumomo:

-antagonist

-evil, cruel, selfish, successful

-takes advantage of Chiyo/Sayuri by blaming her for things she never did

-Hatsumomo makes Chiyo’s former friend, known as Pumpkin, her ‘younger sister’ just to compete with Chiyo

-tries to ruin Chiyo’s career as a geisha by spreading rumors and stalking her

-eventually, Hatsumomo gets what she deserves in the end
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Mameha:

-very famous geisha in Japan

-becomes Chiyo’s “older sister”, or mentor, to help her become a geisha

-kind, helpful, respectful, and the complete opposite of Hatsumomo

-is the ‘rival’ of Hatsumomo
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The Chairman:

-runs the electric company in town

-Sayuri met the Chairman shortly after her arrival in Gion [the town where she now lives]
& falls in love with him

-he hides his affection for Sayuri when he finds out that Nobu [his business partner & friend] likes her as well

-nice, elderly man
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Dr. Crab:

-physician in Gion

-has an interest in bidding [and winning] for Sayuri’s mizuage, or virginity.
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Mr. Tanaka:

-wealthy seafood company owner [from Sayuri’s former residence]

-makes an agreement with Sayuri’s father to make her & her sister become geisha’s
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General Tottori:

-in charge of necessities for the military

-has connections, which makes him a desirable danna [man who provides for a geisha]

-prices rise during the war and he is able to provide items for Sayuri’s okiya [geisha house]

-not affectionate