Entry 3 (Chapter 6-8)

Chiyo begins her new life as a geisha in training. As the youngest and most recent addition to the Okiya, one of her roles is to wait at night for Hatsumomo to return from her appointments. Chiyo is also responsible helping Hatsumomo with any tasks, such as removing her socks or preparing a snack for her. Hatsumomo often returns extremely late at night and Chiyo finds it difficult to remain awake. One evening, Hastumomo and her friend forces Chiyo to vandalize an expensive kimono that belongs to Hatsumomo’s rival, Mameha. Unable to say no, Chiyo does what she has being told to do. The next day, Mother finds out that Chiyo has destroyed Mameha’s kimono, and she is really angry at Chiyo. She harshly punished Chiyo and tells her that she can never be free until she has repaid all of her expenses, such as her purchase, schooling, medical expenses, food, and the replacement of the kimono. A few days later, Hatsumomo tells Chiyo where her sister is, and Chiyo sneaks out to find her sister working as a prostitute. Together, Chiyo and Sastu plan their escape. Chiyo, however, is caught while she escapes. Mother is extremely angry at Chiyo, and she tells Chiyo that she could no longer study to be a geisha; she will have to work as a maid instead. A few months pass, Chiyo receives a letter saying that both of her parents died and her sister has returned to Yoroido who has run off with Tanaka’s assistant.

       The theme in this novel is that although we have limited control over our destiny, the choices we make determine who we are. For Chiyo, her destiny is to become a geisha, and she can’t control it. However, she decides to work hard because if she doesn’t work hard, Mother would kick her out and by that time, she would be real homeless and has nothing. When Chiyo faces the harsh criticisms from Hatsumomo, she still chooses to be herself. Chiyo does not just give in her principles; she still tries to be happy and she still believes in herself that she would become a geisha one day.    

        The story has developed very much in these three chapters, and the story becomes more and more exciting. In these three chapters, it’s said that Chiyo could be no longer a training geisha because she has broke several rules, such as destroying kimino and trying to runaway. It makes me really want to read the following chapters and to see how she overcomes it. I also find that Hastumomo really disturbing because she is just so wicked and makes me wonder how she could do those harmful things to a kid who is only about 10 year old.