So how did a wrinkled old man with an egg for a head father a beautiful girl like you?
-- Mr. Tanaka (Chp 1 paragraph 49)

Importance: This is Chiyo's first indication that she is more than just a poor girl from a little fishing village. By acknowledging her beauty, Mr. Tanaka makes Chiyo think about herself in a different light for the first time.

That ugly sister of yours was here looking for you the other day, and her stench was nearly as bad as yours.
-- Hatsumomo (Chp. 4 paragraph 19)

Importance: This is just one of many ways in which Hatsumomo uses emotional torture to keep Chiyo off balance. It is important in that it reveals that Hatsumomo actually fears Chiyo's presence and how it might affect her standings in the okiyo.

When you look at a mirror, all you see is yourself, but I know a pretty color when I find it.
-- Awajiumi (Chp. 5 paragraph 8)

Importance: This is another example of Chiyo's beauty being acknowledged...