Summary

In the summer of 1938 at the age of eighteen, Sayuri goes from apprentice to geisha. Then, three weeks later, Mother announces that in a month’s time, she will have a danna. Hatsumomo is outside when Mother tells Sayuri that Nobu will be her danna, and she all but chokes on her glee. Mameha already knows, and she tells Sayuri she has no right to ask for more than kindness from a danna. Sayuri continues to attend parties, noticing an increase in the military presence. General Tottori, the man who oversees one of five large areas of administration, expresses interest in Sayuri. Mameha reminds Mother that someone in his position might be worthwhile being indebted to. At the same time, Nobu had expected to have Sayuri as his mistress, and though she saw him whenever he came to Gion, the most recent time he...