Original subtitles

A TOEI production

Spring 1907

In the Asokuso district, in the heart of the city there was Yoshiwara,

the biggest pleasure district in Japan.

This world apart, which covered a few acres

walled in by a high fence, could be entered only through a big gate.

Poor families would sell their young daughters there.

They would sell their bodies for seven or eight years.

Two ways led to the Yoshiwara world:

the paradise way, for men; the hell way, for girls.

TOKYO BORDELLO

From the novel by Shinichi Saito

Screenplay: Kazuo Kasahara and Sadao Nakajima

Cinematography: Fujio Morita

Art direction: Yoshinobu Nishioka

Music: Masaru Sato

Cast:

Yuko Natori Wakashio

Sayoko Ninomiya Kokonoe

Mariko Fuji Yoshizato

Mineko Nishikawa Kobana

Rino Katase Kiku

Junichi Inoue Kokonoe's lover

Mami Nomura Haru

Naoto Takenaka the fiddler

Sumie Sasaki The Madame

Ittoku Kishibe the house boy

Ken Ogata policeman Fukushima

Mikio Narita Kesaji the pimp

Kinpachi Nezu Nobosuke Furushima

So Yamamura The House Boss

Kayako Sono Chika

Narrator: Kyoko Kishida

A film by Hideo Gosha

Syphilis!

Syphilis!

Go see a doctor!

Stop!

Out! Get off!

Those damn kids!

Put your legs there.

Excuse-me, Doctor.

She's a new one, don't be rough.

The doctor must have a look at that work tool of yours which you'll use daily.

Doctor, I'll leave her to you.

You're not a virgin any more.

You had a man, back home?

Listen carefully.

You have special status.

But it's only because you have a licence

that you can work.

It's lawful prostitution.

But that activity

can be practised only in Yoshiwara. You understand?

Something else.

To get out of the Yoshiwara district,

you need to get police authorization.

As for the rest, your employers

will explain it to you.

Let's start.

Hisano Ueda, nineteen,

from Obayashi village, Okayama district.

800 yens? She cost you a lot!

Yes, but she's a real gem.

Do read the contract before you sign.

Her father was in the navy?

Yes, in the merchant navy.

What happened?

His ship sank down because of overload.

He had to sell eveything to pay his debts.

Not counting the compensations he had to pay his employees.

But as it was not enough, he had to sell his daughter.

Do you know the word "climax"?

"Climax? "?

Fukushima! I didn't ask for you!

But, boss, she must be told.

You allow me to?

When you're with a man...

You climax when it is the most pleasant.

But when you have hundreds of men,

if you climaxed each time, you'd soon be a wreck.

Just make the customer believe that you climaxed, got it?

Fukushima! I told you to shut up!

Now, sign up.

Your skin is sofy.

Hello, you sweep with energy.

Hello, I was waiting for you.

Everything's in order.

I'll leave her with you.

Thank you very much.

Come on, follow me.

Chika!

I'll take the girl.

You're going to show her around?

Serve Kesaji some tea.

Come with me.

Come on!

Don't fall asleep!

Kesaji might prefer something else.

Serve her some good sake

You found a good girl.

She'll bring a lot of money.

Do you want some sake?

Kokonoe, hello!

This is Kokonoe.

My name is Hisano.

She is the one who brings in the most.

If you follow her example, you'll be a Great Geisha, just like her.

From now on, she will be your little sister.

Take care of her and give her advice.

There's a strange smell here.

There's a smell.

Come closer.

It's her smell.

You smell nice.

She smells.

I can't smell anything.

Hello!

Kokonoe,

I wish you a nice day.

She is the new girl?

Not bad-looking at all.

Kokonoe, have a nice day.

See you later.

The boss only greets Kokonoe, Yoshizato et Kobana,

our three great geishas.

They bring in the most.

They're our bread-winners.

Hello!

Yoshizato, I wish you a nice day.

See you later.

This is Yoshizato.

Hello, my name is Hisano.

Glad to meet you.

Thank you for taking care of her.

All right.

You understand? You must win the favors of your colleagues.

Yes.

Kobana, hello!

This here is Kobana, our third great geisha.

If you work well,

you'Il become as beautiful as she is.

Hello, my name is Hisano.

Good luck.

O, great gods,

make men bring us lots of money.

You'll find something to suit your taste among those girls.

Well... long time no see!

I was told you're very busy...

Is that why you weren't coming any more?

So now, you've got time.

You're a regular, aren't you? I'm moved.

Tonight, you'll be greeted in a princely way.

I mean business. Come inside and see for yourself.

The gentleman is coming up!

Come near, come!

Do you know where you are?

In front of Yoshiwara's best House.

It's difficult to find better elsewhere.

Don't settle for just watching.

Do come inside!

If you hesitate,

they'll be taken by some other people.

Make your choice.

Going out in such a nice evening, that's good...

But don't stay outside too long.

You might catch a cold.

Look at those cute girls waiting for you.

Don't miss the chance.

And it's not expensive.

Good evening!

I was expecting you.

See?

The men watch but shrink from spending their money.

Attracting a customer is an art.

The most important thing is to make a regular of him, a patron.

If Kokonoe, Yoshizato and Kobana are our three great geishas

it's because they know how to make their customers come again.

That way they don't have to expose themselves in the window.

But the other girls

go in the window

and must accept any customer.

You will have to find a rich customer.

With one or two customers a night, your debts won't be settled.

Come and sit down.

From here, I can see everything.

It's the House command center.

From here, you can see lots of things.

You can also see behind the scenes.

You must watch carefully too.

Those rooms, on the other side...

They're for ordinary girls.

Excuse me! May I open the door?

Come here.

Excuse me.

I have to be away for a while.

Excuse us.

Don't worry.

I'm surprised.

The gentleman has got taste. She is an exceptional girl.

Here she comes.

Her regular had to leave in a hurry.

You are lucky.

That girl is first choice.

I kept you waiting.

You won't be disappointed.

I'm cold, help me get warm.

"I'm cold, help me get warm. "... Remember that sentence.

It's true that you're quite pretty

but don't be too proud of it.

A beautiful girl attracts customers at first.

But if you show it off it'll be difficult to make loyal customers of them.

To develop customer's loyalty there's an ancient method

It is the art of moaning in bed.

Chika,

please.

I'll be right there.

Come with me.

We apologize, sir.

- You did it again? - Yeah!

Everything was going all right but she started pissing.

It's unacceptable.

I'm sorry.

But some customers like it.

I'm not a pervert!

You'll get a better girl next time.

Excuse me.

It's too late.

Go have a bath.

I'm sorry.

Go change her clothes, quick!

Come.

Don't fall asleep. Go help them.

Mame!

Were you frightened?

Actually, it's a trick

to get rid of an unpleasant customer.

Do you know what this is?

Lube. And you can eat it too.

But you don't put it on your mouth.

You're new here?

You've got to learn.

This is to mislead the customer.

We've got to use it. We wouldn't hold out with all those men if we didn't.

Kiku, Chika is calling you.

What's your name?

Hisano.

Let's be friends.

In Yoshiwara, there are 48 species of cherry trees.

Some bloom very quickly, others more slowly.

Each year, in april,

Yoshiwara is full of flowers.

And in may,

when the flowers of the late cherry-trees fall down,

those flowers move elsewhere.

Look at the district.

The life of cherry-trees lasts only as long as they're flowering up.

Flowerless cherry-trees have no place here.

What's your name?

- Hisano. - Ah yeah!

You smell nice.

Tell me, Hisano.

What sort of smell is that? What perfume do you use?

That student doesn't pay the go-between.

He comes straight here.

Kokonoe protects him!

She's with a student? At her age?

As her contract is nearing its end, she does as she pleases.

Don't worry about it. It's only a passing love affair.

As long as she brings in money...

Isn't that right, boss?

Quite right.

Kokonoe's career is close to its end.

We should think of finding replacement.

Here's that brass band again!

That song really creeps me out.

Forward, Forward, Salvation Army,

Forward, Forward, Alleluia!

When the weak unite

We must fight with them.

Forward, Forward, Salvation Army,

Forward, Forward, Alleluia!

Let's save our brothers and sisters

For them, let's fight till the end.

Forward, Forward, Salvation Army,

Do your best today!

Be beautiful. We count on you.

Put some more.

It's too light. That's it. Much better!

That's perfect. You look cute.

Teach her how to apply her make-up.

Her neck and ankles, above all.

Those are the parts customers look first.

She's got spots on her skin. Hide them well.

Pretty yourselves up.

And work well.

Kiku...

Do I smell different?

Yes. You went to high school, didn't you?

That's high school smell.

You're here because of your father's accident.

You weren't poor as we all were. Life will be tough for you here.

As for me, when I was home,

we had nothing to eat.

Here at least, we're given white rice every day.

For me, this place here is paradise.

Well... not quite.

They don't feed us for free.

Yesterday night, what I did displeased a customer.

Old Chika came up quickly

asking me whether I had a needle between my thighs.

Those tits are not half bad.

Where do you think you are?

You're nothing here but merchandise.

You don't strike a customer for so little.

Give me your hand.

Stop it!

You can't use me as a pretext.

You act this way only because you're jealous.

Yes, I am jealous.

Hisano, forgive me.

Hisano, my sweet girl.

Hisano...

Do to me what I did to you.

Come on, burn my hand!

You won't obey my order?

Hisano.

You too...

you've got the same burn.

Show me.

Show me your burn.

Look.

We've got exactly the same burn.

Now...

we've become true sisters.

Early cherry trees have lost their flowers.

late cherry trees start blooming

For Hisano, has come the time of getting her geisha name.

Wakashio, "young tide"

Nice geisha name for a sailor's daughter.

Tonight, you'll start working.

Work hard in order to pay back the 800 yens you owe quickly.

Wakashio, work well.

- Do your best. - Wakashio, we're counting on you.

Wakashio

Sir, you look like a million in your western clothes.

Come closer.

This is our new geisha.

Her name's Wakashio. What do you think?

She's really beautiful.

Watch her carefully.

Don't go away so quickly.

Don't make do with simply watching.

You're lucky, Sir. Here's a new girl.

What do you think? Don't you want her?

Wakashio, sit up straight. Raise your head.

Boss, listen! Good news!

- What's going on? - Our go-between

wants to bring over rich customers from Osaka.

When our three great geishas heard about that

they offered

to help Wakashio get her first customer.

Good idea.

A rich customer at the beginning is a good omen.

We're being lucky.

Gentlemen, open your eyes...

On the right, the great geisha Kokonoe.

On the left, Wakashio, our new geisha.

At the back, on the right, great geisha Yoshizato.

And finally great geisha Kobana.

For your pleasure!

And now...

And now...

you're going to share them between you.

By drawing lots.

Do you agree?

Yes, all right.

- We're not going to quarrel. - Let's do it this way.

Gentlemen, your go.

Choose.

One each.

Take it. You've all got one.

For you, it's her.

For you, it's her.

That's it. The dies have been cast.

You're lucky.

Wakashio is our new vintage. You'll be the first to taste it.

I wanted to advise you to have her. Chance works in mysterious ways.

Give me a good tip.

The other three geishas are the best in the house.

These gentlemen have no need for us any more.

Let's go away.

Please, ladies.

Geishas, stand up!

Go and wait for these gentlemen in your rooms.

Walk up straight.

What's wrong with her?

Wakashio!

Wakashio!

Wakashio!

Stay here!

Madame, quick!

Stop her!

Stop her!

She's running away!

This way!

You bitch!

Money means happiness; money means unhappiness.

Money makes animals clever.

You can buy sake; love can be bought too...

Religion can be bought too

Bonzes are really mischievous

But their hair grows back.

They'll have to shave their headsagain. It's endless

Do you realize what you did?

I recommended you to that customer and you put me to shame.

If you don't like this house,

repay what you owe and go away.

Forgive me.

I don't understand what came into my head.

Don't play games with me.

Your family is into debt up to their neck.

That's why you're here.

You're nothing but a prostitute.

In my mind, I know it but...

You're not here to think.

Your mind does not matter. What matters is there!

I'll show you.

Trust me. I know.

I'll teach you how to do it.

Remember the lesson.

The most important thing for a prostitute

is to give the customer satisfaction in bed.

You must make him believe you come at the same time as he does.

You must be bold.

He must believe he is able to kindle your body.

You must beat your legs up in a violent way.

You must moan and gasp.

The man must be roused watching you and hearing you.

You will do to me what I'm going to do to you.

Your body will learn.

I went to another go-between.

I told him about Wakashio.

He will recommend Wakashio to a big customer of his.

You reassure me. You must thank him.

You're really helpful.

I wanted to talk about myself too.

I'd like to pay what I owe you in order to be able to leave.

I've worked enough.

I want to leave.

Not with this student, I hope.

I don't know. Tell me how much I must pay.

And...

To speak about Wakashio again...

How can I express it?

She will be hard to tame.

If I open my umbrella for me alone

My sleeve won't get wet...

You know...

When one counts upon his parents'inheritance.

You end thinking only of that.

You mustn't lose your head.

Each time I talk to him, he pretends he doesn't hear.

Please... can you pay my schooling fees?

- How much? - A hundred yens.

All right.

I'm counting on you.

What about you? Did you think of me?

Soon, I'll be free.

When I graduate,

I'll marry you.

I shall be your wife?

Your wife?

What's wrong with you?

What are you laughing at?

Between a girl and her customer,

nothing happens, all is lies when we're in bed together.

I know it quite well.

Given the difference in years, between you and me...

It's impossible.

And you know it!

I would have prefered you to say:

"Lend me some money."

"And let's part and remain good friends."

It would have hurt much less.

That's what I wanted to hear.

Once. At least...

I would have liked to share a heartache with you.

I don't want to see you any more. Get the hell out of here.

Get out of here!

Sir, here is the great geisha.

My name is Wakashio.

You could have stayed a little while longer.

There's no room here for cherry tres which don't bear flowers.

Say good-bye to everyone.

You want me to call for a cab?

No, I want to slip away.

I'm fed up with make-believe.

Godbye.

Summer 1908

Stop drinking. You're ruining your health.

I know I'm destroying myself.

If you go on like this, you're going to die.

That's what I want. I want to die.

You fool!

Please, don't leave me.

What are you afraid of?

Yoshizato, don't leave me.

Until I die.

It's me.

Business is bad and now, it's raining.

Are you all right?

Yoshizato's customer is still there?

Yes, and it's time to ask him for payment of his nights here.

Madame, I've been to the meeting.

That customer, Noguchi... they say he ruined many share-holders.

When bad luck starts...

Yoshizato must get rid of him.

There's an economic crisis.

If, on top of that, our geishas fall in love, we'll have to close down.

Hey, girls? Who took my underwear?

Is that it?

- Well... - It was given to me.

What does it matter? A couple of pieces of underwear.

I don't agree.

- Skinflint. - What?

You thief!

You're out of your mind.

Stop that ruckus!

That's enough.

Kiku, what will you do with these old clothes?

I'll send them home. My family will be happy.

Stop it!

You really put us to shame.

Don't talk to me that way.

Stop showing off.

We shall all die like dogs.

Whatever we say, we're no better off than animals.

You think so?

Speak for yourself.

I'll show you.

Why did you come into this world?

You're not an animal.

You're exploited from morning till night.

You must accept your fate.

You must relinquish everything, it's your destiny.

You must relinquish everything, it's your destiny.

This way, Sir!

Please!

Sir!

Yukichi!

I looked for you everywhere.

I can't take it any more.

I can't take it any more.

Hisano, let's run away together.

We'll go to Korea.

We'll achieve success over there.

Let's go.

I was never able to forget you.

Hisano darling.

I want us to have a child. Please!

I'm going to move away from here.

Where will you go?

The Madame has just called me in.

She told me I didn't bring in enough money.

She'Il sell me to a house in Shinagawa, the working men's district.

Kiku!

You were nice to me.

I'll never forget you.

Wakashio!

You must relinquish, relinquish...

The go-between told me.

The customer is said to be rich.

Don't miss that chance.

Be as beautiful as you can be and seduce him.

The great geisha is coming!

Do you remember me?

The heir of the Furushima trust?

His father died. He inherited.

He could find a better girl than Wakashio.

I wonder why he chose her.

It seems he's already been with her.

Madame, come quick!

It's Wakashio's customer. He wants to invite the whole house.

He paid 50 yens!

He's a true rich man's son.

The Furushima heir?

You mustn't tremble in that way.

I'll go greet him.

The Furushima heir, what about him?

Rich or poor, their balls are all the same.

Wakashio, stop showing off!

I kept you waiting.

There's a party going on next door.

A customer gave 50 yens so that every one could celebrate.

Everybody is happy.

What are you doing here?

I'll leave you alone.

Have a nice evening.

How dare you speak that way?

I'm a great geisha.

If you want me,

you must pay for a big party like the customer next door.

Yoshizato!

You've got to relinquish, relinquish...

It's your fate anyway...

I hate poor people. Go away.

Don't you worry, Sir.

She'll be back. I'll serve you to help you wait.

Nobusuke...

Come here and lie down.

But...

Come on, lie down...

One year ago...

I was not able to save you.

The past is the past.

Don't worry about me.

You're very kind.

But now,

being rich,

I can buy you whenever I want.

With my father's money.

Money made out of other people's sufferings.

Nobusuke...

It is not necessary. Lie down!

I can't do that!

Make yourself comfortable.

No, I'm all right.

I'll keep my clothes on.

You shouldn't.

I'm quite all right.

I want us to stay this way, until dawn.

Lie down.

And sleep peacefully.

Next one!

It's over.

You're pregnant.

Three months.

Next one! - Next one!

You don't look all right. I've been following you for some time.

Shall we have an ice-cream? I'll pay.

What's wrong with you?

Talk to me.

It's nothing.

You're pregnant?

It shows. From the way you look.

Or else, you got some disease.

It's hard to say, but...

Whore's children are given to peasants. It's the rule here.

Here you are.

Thanks!

I want to ask you something.

Couldn't you ask Nobusuke for 50 yens?

You remember Noguchi, one of my customers?

He's flat broke from bad investments.

I asked the boss, but...

She wouldn't accept.

I went to another house.

They'll buy me for 350.

Noguchi is in debt for 400.

I still need 50 yens.

I'll stop drinking

and I'll work real hard.

If it's for Noguchi,

I know I can do it.

Being a whore

and finishing up in the common grave...

I don't want such a shabby life.

I want to give myself fully to one man this time.

You think I'm a fool?

No,

you're right.

I'll ask Nobusuke.

Thank you.

Don't cry.

Even if you love the child's father, you must have an abortion.

No way to know if he'll admit being the father.

Use powder from the physalis, the red flower.

Even if you love the father's child,

you must have an abortion.

I can't accept that money.

Why not?

You said everything would be all right, if you could find the money.

And that we could have a family together.

Yes, I said it.

But now it's different.

The situation has changed.

My parents found the money. They want me to come back home.

- What about that money? - That's what I said.

It's what I said,

I don't need your help any more.

I've changed.

I should never have

risked so much at the Stock Exchange just for your sake.

Shit!

Sir... come and see.

Special price for you.

You made a good choice. You won't regret it.

How much money do you plan on spending?

I'll tell you who Yukichi is.

He's wanted by all the police forces in the whole country.

He stole 500 yens.

As he was one of your customers, you must tell us

all you know about him.

Commissioner... this customer only came once.

She doesn't know anything.

Did I ask you for advice?

He's really a bad guy.

He's an ungrateful thief. Really irretrievable.

He ran away,

and stopped on the way to sleep with his pal's wife.

Listen.

Should he come back, let us know.

Got it?

Did you learn how to pretend you're coming?

Fukushima! You really think of nothing else!

Sorry.

I spent a nice evening.

Well, I'm glad.

Everything went well even without lube.

I don't know.

There's a strike. Leaving is difficult.

That's what you said.

What's with you? You're not the same.

I'm bored with everything these days.

I've always been bored with everything.

What about commiting suicide?

Shall we commit suicide?

I could die with you.

- Is it true? - Of course.

We shall drink all night long.

Before leaving this world, let's party!

We shall leave Yoshiwora when we want to.

But what will we do after?

We've got no place to go.

We could become scavengers.

There's a strike on.

Leaving is difficult.

You've already said it.

Slowly.

Is that all right?

She was lying in an alley by the river.

A rickshaw driver found her.

What are you saying?

Furushima...

Nobusuke...

You want Mr Furushima, that's what you're saying?

How strange he looks!

Come on!

Wake up.

Wake up.

Come on, get up!

What's wrong with you?

We promised we'd die together, last night.

I was not speaking seriously.

Weren't you?

You're never serious.

The pleasure world is a world of lies.

- Stop it, will you! - You promised!

Let it go!

Don't hurt me!

Wait, that's for laughs!

That's for fun!

Come back, that's for fun!

Double suicide!

Quiet down!

Crazy woman!

You cowards! You'd like to see me die!

Isn't it?

Well... all right!

Look at you there!

Cowards, all of you!

You earn a living only because I'm here.

You get fat off me!

You mustn't stay here!

Run!

Get away from here.

I...

I am going to die.

I am going to die.

I am going to die.

I am going to die.

I am going to die.

You should have lived!

Fall 1909

I'm ready.

Get ready!

Relax!

We're almost there.

You, at the back, bend your head.

That's it.

Look this way.

There it is!

Cheer up!

Smile.

You can't?

Well...

What is this?

What is this?

Ah, I was so frightened!

I aged 10 years at once.

Kobana will give those years back to you.

Yes, she's inviting us in a western restaurant.

I never thought I'd ever have my photograph taken.

It's a pity your brother isn't here.

It's his birthday.

And which is more, Kobana pays us our holiday.

We must thank her.

Kobana, thank you very much.

Kobana was born into a good family.

Afyer her parents died,

she worked here to pay for her brother's studies.

I see.

It is a beautiful story.

But it's true...

Kobana showed me a photograph of her brother.

A photograph

she always keeps with her.

It's true, I'm not lying.

Nobusuke...

Since we've met,

you never touched me. Why didn't you?

Because I'm tainted?

No!

Undress.

Let me see you naked.

I am naked.

I've seen enough.

Get dressed.

I can do nothing but imagine.

Work... Justice too.

Until today,

I've done nothing but imaginary things.

Where are you going?

I'm not going anywhere.

In the state I am...

I'm only getting something to drink, that's all.

Sake flows tonight. - It brings in money.

It's ready.

Kobana, get hold of yourself.

Kobana!

Chika, give me some sake.

Please!

- More? - Hurry up!

Here you are.

Stop, you're drunk.

You bring in a lot, but you should take it easy.

Next spring...

next spring...

my brother will graduate

Then...

Kobana...

Kobana!

Put off your fire!

Put off your fire!

Yoshizato, and now Kobana...

It's bad for the house's reputation.

I've got an idea then.

I want you to become a great geisha.

Your new name will be "Murasaki".

It's been a famous geisha name for centuries.

Me?

Since Furushima is such a generous patron

you are eligible for the title of Great Geisha.

Actually, I had thought of it for a long time.

We must renew with the tradition of Great Geishas Parades.

To be up to Yoshiwara's past we need a really big parade.

Wakashio, I am sure you can do it.

What about Kobana?

It's sad indeed.

But the doctor is positive: she will never get better.

You should wait

until her brother came for her.

Yes, she has a brother.

But Kobana won't say where he lives.

Yet she is dying.

It's impossible to understand her.

Someone knows Kobana well.

The fiddler.

Nothing counts in this world but money.

Even in hell, you need money.

Money means happiness, money means unhappiness.

First comes money, then comes money,

And in the end comes money.

Money destroys families,

Money makes couples break up,

Even though people say it's not human,

Even though people say it's selfish...

Dear spectators, I'm sorry.

I have upset bowels.

I must relieve myself. I'll be back soon.

While you wait, sing together.

As for you there, stop singing out of tune.

Sorry.

Let's start. One, two, three...

Her ancestors were the Tokugawa shoguns'doctors?

Her brother is studying to be a doctor?

That takes the prize!

Can I have a drink?

Kobana's mother...

is a small-time whore.

And her father some gambler.

Here you are.

She was still a toddler

when her mother abandoned her near a statue of Buddha.

I found her.

But when Kobana was 13,

a woman who claimed she was her mother asked for her.

And Kobana was sold off to an old pervert who rented rooms.

When I heard of this,

I went to see her.

But she seemed embarrassed by my coming.

So I pretended not to know her.

Hisano!

Hisano!

Kiku? That's a surprise!

I paid a visit to the Madame in Yoshiwara.

This is my husband.

Yes, I am married.

He is a carpenter.

He was one of my customers at Shinagawa.

He bought me back from the house.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

For six years, I had saved some money.

And he paid what was missing to free me.

I'll write to you soon.

In october, the festivals give its pace to life in Yoshiwara.

In the mildness of the autumn air

Here you can see the rich outfits of the Great Geisha Murasaki.

Don't go, Sir.

That little country girl is a real success.

Already a Great Geisha! That's unbelievable.

You got us a real pearl. Thanks.

- Where is she? - Among the wealthy.

With Mr Ito.

Mr. Ito?

Hirobumi Ito, the famous politician?

Yes.

She is serving at a banquet set to honor Mr Ito

before he leaves for Manchuria.

That will do.

Take this into Murasaki and Nobosuke's bedroom.

Find me a customer at once.

- Kobana... - Get off!

I want a man!

Go get me a customer!

Kobana!

Let go of me!

Where are you going?

Let go of me!

What's with you today?

Shove off!

Stay here!

Leave me alone!

Stay here!

Get out of the way!

No, stay here.

Stop!

Let go of me!

Don't go in here!

What does this mean?

Who took my room?

Now, it's Murasaki's bedroom. She is the new Great Geisha.

What?

Stop!

This is not your room any more.

Leave that alone.

Kobana, stop it.

Stop it!

Nobusuke and Murasaki are here.

When I went back home quite happy

A toad that had been run over by a coach

Wished me good night.

You thief!

Go away.

This here is my bedroom.

I am the Great Geisha in this house, no one else.

As long as I'm not with my brother,

as long as I have debts,

I shall work here.

You thief!

Get away!

Get out of my room.

Get away!

Let go of me!

Murasaki!

Nobusuke, let go of me.

Nobusuke!

She did not understand.

Why is she angry at me?

I did everything I could for her, but she was lying.

She lied about everything.

About her family, about her brother.

Even the picture was a lie. She stole it at the photographer's.

It does not matter whether she lied or not.

Do you think there is such a thing as truth in this world.

Yoshiwara is the world of lies.

That story about Hirobumi Ito...

The Furushima trust, Japan... Nothing but lies.

Compared with all that,

Kobana's lie is nothing important.

Give her her room back.

Nobusuke!

I know everything in Yoshiwara is based upon lies.

But nevertheless.

Lying does not prevent having rules.

I sold my body in order to become the Great Geisha.

Why should I step aside to let that lazy girl have her way?

You must understand...

That I hate poverty.

I have nothing against lying.

This world of lies,

I can do with it,

if it allows me to become the best.

Murasaki...

You have the soul of a prostitute.

That's right.

I am a prostitute.

Since the very day

I arrived in Yoshiwara,

I've been a whore and I've accepted it.

Whether you like it or not.

Please...

Go ask the boss

to forgive Kobana.

I beg you.

The madame is mad with rage.

She says she's going to sell Kobana to a whorehouse in the slums.

She was locked inside the mattress closet, she can't be controled.

As for me, you know...

I want her to come back to what she was before.

I feel sorry for her. I can't hold it against her

Murasaki, please...

Please!

Who's there?

I don't care who you are.

Come to bed with me.

Please, come to bed with me.

Please!

Come!

Bite me here! Bite me!

Please.

Bite me here...

Bite me here...

You must have suffered a lot

to become what you are now.

Winter 191O

Pilgrimage day to the Yoshiwara shrine.

That day,

the Yoshiwara district is even more lively than it usually is.

That girl is really lucky.

Furushima lefy her,

but she found Tsubosaka, another wealthy patron.

It's true.

I'm asked to pay back what I owe

But I can't get the money that is owed to me.

It is the law of life here below.

I finally relinquished all.

It's best to let yourself be carried by the stream in order to survive

Don't take me for a fool!

If I am for sale, then what are you?

Get away from here.

What?

You've got nothing to sell?

I see... You're worse off than a whore.

You strut about.

But you're nothing but a freeloader.

Unless you're an exploiter. Are you?

- Bitch! - Calm down!

Calm down.

Come here.

Kiku, be sensible.

Let's go home. I've seen enough.

Tsubosaka, what are you thinking of?

Let's get married.

I've really thought it over.

I want to marry you.

Don't ask any question. Just say yes.

Then, I'll buy you back.

Don't you want me to?

Answer me!

Well, I must say...

You're taking me by surprise.

It is not a random proposal.

I've had enough with civil service.

I want to go back to Okayama and get into business.

I want to forget my dead wife

and start a new life with you.

Actually...

I have a dream.

It will make you laugh.

I want to be in a Great Geisha Parade.

But for that...

For that?

No, nothing.

I am so happy

that you do want me in this way.

My former husband, that carpenter, what a pervert! He wanted to have orgies.

I told him to get lost.

And I Iefy him.

But I had nowhere to go.

So I had to come back here, to Yoshiwara.

Now, I'm single again.

But I've got a job.

One day, I'll have my own business.

I could open a cake-shop.

Being a confectioner would suit you. You're such a nice girl.

I feel exhilarated

Well... let's sing, then...

Yes, let's sing!

Why did you come?

I've come to pay the interests.

I was born in this world.

I must accept my destiny.

It's been some time.

Come and sit down.

I'll leave.

No, stay and listen.

My parents disowned their debauched son.

Those banknotes...

This is the last money I'll get from the Furushima trust.

There's 2000 yens.

Murasaki...

That money is yours.

With that money, you can buy your freedom.

Being a free woman

and, of course, if you agree...

- I'm ready to... - Wait!

Wait.

That money...

I'll use that money to take part in the parade, next spring.

Being in the parade

is what I've always dreamed of.

My greatest dream, until now.

Nobusuke!

Nobusuke...

You always refused to touch me.

For you,

I was not a woman.

With that money...

I'll show you

that I am

a flower of flesh and blood in this world

you despise so much.

You'll see

what I'am capable of.

Now,

you and l...

I understood.

That money is yours.

Do as you please with it.

Sir!

Murasaki!

Let it be.

It's best this way.

It's best this way.

Kiku!

- There's someone to see you. - Who is it?

Some woman.

Really?

What do you want?

You stole my husband from me. Didn't you do enough?

What do you want?

He fell ill.

So what?

Last autumn, he went bankrupt and had to sell his workshop.

Why are you telling me this?

It's got nothing to do with me.

It's Heaven's punishment and it's only right.

You're disturbing me. Go away!

Go away!

Wait.

Shit!

Why must I always try helping people?

Father, Mother, and all the others.

Shall I go on suffering forever?

Why am I dogged by such bad luck?

Why does Heaven punish me that way?

Wait!

Haru, you leave your man alone?

I don't want to disturb him while he's sleeping.

I see.

I'll go fill my stomach and then go to work.

Thank you, you were perfect.

Everyone was delighted.

I'm proud of you.

It wouldn't have been possible without Mr Furushima.

By the way...

I wanted to tell you about him.

We know where he lives.

Would you believe it? He's living in Yoshiwara.

Where is he?

At Mikawa's, just below the bridge

Don't stay away too long? Right?

Nobusuke Furushima is here.

I was told so.

The Furushima heir?

There's a man living here, but his name is Shin.

We don't have rich customers here.

You must have been mistaken.

I was told he is here.

Please... tell me where.

Hisano,

even if it was Shin you were looking for,

it's too late.

You were the one who ditched him. You chose to go on the parade.

You are a Great Geisha now. That should be enough.

You need love and care now?

You want too much.

It's not like that at all.

I want Nobusuke to understand that...

That's the whole point. Go away!

Kiku, why?

It is too late to move backward.

You're nothing but a Yoshiwara puppet.

And it suits you all right.

You still don't understand you're nothing but a common whore.

You are cruel.

You are cruel, Kiku.

I? Cruel? I'm not the crueller.

You are cruel. You only care about your own comfort.

And you know it perfectly well.

But...

I've known since the beginning.

I really love Nobusuke. Nothing else matters.

But...

if Nobusuke was willing to forgive me, I would marry him.

He won't!

Listen...

I'll tell you the truth.

Your dear Nobusuke

is with a pretty little thing.

He isn't yours anymore.

He is hers.

And should you try to coax him back,

I'll fight for this girl's love at the risk of my own life.

Go away.

Go away.

You are the queen of Yoshiwara.

Not many can get as lucky as you've been.

A happy girl has nothing to do here.

9th of april 1911

You've been here for three years.

Time goes by so quickly!

You're the luckiest girl I've known here.

It's not only pure luck.

It's mainly because she was persistent

that she succeeded in convincing Mr Tsubosaka.

Boss,

Madame,

Thank you for everything.

You can go with a light heart.

Good bye.

What are you looking at?

I'm looking at you.

You're so beautiful.

When I can leave here,

will you really marry me?

Real lovebirds!

Fire!

Stop!

Where is that fire?

In Yoshiwara. it started at Mikawa's, below the bridge.

I'm getting down.

Haru!

Nobusuke!

All is burning.

That fire

destroyed all of Yoshiwara.

It made this pleasure district disappear for ever.

Its traditions had lasted for several centuries.

THE END