I get dressed to go out tonight. I apply my oshiroi, my white makeup. I become someone else—the maiko, which literally means “dancing child.”
Geiko is another term for geisha, used in Kyoto, especially in Gion, where traditional Japanese customs remain deeply rooted. Geisha is the general term for these artists who still practice traditional Japanese arts and entertain guests at teahouses.
I have spent almost four years undergoing intensive training as a junior maiko and maiko. My days are filled with grueling practice: learning classical Japanese dance with fans and umbrellas before strict senior teachers, practicing shamisen strings until my fingertips blister, memorizing traditional song lyrics and poetic forms, mastering stage etiquette, learning the precise hand angles required for the tea ceremony, practicing flower arranging, and studying the complicated rules for entertaining elite guests at a teahouse.
The world of traditional arts I had never imagined before has become my world now.
“You’re number one again this month?” She was talking about my earnings as a maiko.
“Yes, Auntie…”
I nodded along with her statement. A kimono dresser was helping me tie my bright obi.
The obi wrapped around my waist was the hardest part. You couldn’t wear a maiko’s or geiko’s kimono without help. A geiko’s kimono was simpler, with no long trailing obi, but that thick sash was still difficult for a woman to put on by herself.
“I told you you’d succeed here. Once you become a geiko, you’ll see how right I was.”
“Yes, Auntie…” I had no choice but to agree.
This still wasn’t my dream. But I was trying to live this life as well as I could. Partly because I was always hearing Auntie’s scolding that I must never end up like my father—working as a common laborer and dying horribly.
You could say I was pretty. I had a fair amount of talent for dancing, learned movements quickly, and had a good figure. Several teachers had noticed how quickly I learned and didn’t mind making me the lead dancer in performances in Gion. That was why I had become the number-one maiko lately.
“Your older sister and Yui received an invitation from Mr. Yuto Yamada. He’s an important man who often brings guests and clients to Gion. You have to show yourself off this time. If your older sister allows it, try speaking to him a little and bowing to him.”
“Yes, Auntie…”
“Don’t speak until you’re spoken to. And if there are young men, don’t flirt…” Yui Toshikazu, twenty-five, was one of the popular geisha in this okiya—and she hated me.
Before I arrived, she had been the star of this okiya. She always wore the finest kimono and accessories, and whatever she chose was given to her first. She desperately hoped to inherit the okiya from Auntie, but Auntie seemed to want me to take over instead.
So of course she was openly jealous of me, even back when I was only a junior maiko.
“I understand.” I answered her flatly. I didn’t need reminding. I understood perfectly well.
We maiko had older sisters, senior geisha we chose to teach us. In my case, Auntie obviously couldn’t choose Yui to be my older sister. She would have tormented me mercilessly.
Auntie chose Himari Akibara, a beautiful, graceful geisha as famous as Yui, perhaps five years older than her, to guide me. Although she wasn’t from our okiya—in fact, she no longer lived in an okiya and had her own apartment—she had a wealthy danna, something like a high-level sugar daddy, supporting her. She also had a large network of clients and had been asked to star in several commercials. She was clearly far above Yui.
She agreed to take me on as one of her younger sisters after seeing my dancing skills and my face. Of course, with her as my older sister, a portion of my earnings would become hers. But it was worth it. As my older sister, she could introduce me to many people later on.
Mio Hamari, my contemporary and Yui’s younger sister, had her kimono put on next. She would be joining the party too. She said there would be more than ten guests, which was a lot, and that was why so many geisha had been invited.
We went together to one of the teahouses, the Mizuki teahouse, where we would entertain the guests. Dinner, drinks, conversation, and a special performance, to be precise.
The party began at eight that evening. Mio, two other maiko, and I were already in the room, making sure all the drinks and supplies were ready.
“I’m so glad we have a big party.” Mio, who always looked cheerful, happily took my hand while her older sister Yui walked proudly ahead of us.
We were friends, although Yui sometimes told Mio not to get too close to me. But friendly Mio broke that rule more often than not.
There was no doubt that tonight’s guests were special.
“I’m looking forward to it too. We’ll get to meet the heads of major companies.” We hadn’t had many chances to do this yet, and big parties like this were always exciting for us.
We maiko were only allowed to serve the guests, without taking the initiative to speak. That was the job of our trained older sisters. We could only watch, listen, and speak when spoken to.
The guests arrived escorted by the teahouse proprietress. The geisha bowed to them as they sat gracefully among the guests at the low table, with the tatami arranged in a U-shape. We maiko and geiko would be in the center of that arrangement. Pouring tea, making sure the guests’ sake cups stayed full, and serving the food brought by the waitstaff—that was the maiko’s job.
A dinner party with geisha was clearly not something ordinary people could afford. We were specialized artists, and our kimono and accessories alone cost more than ten thousand dollars. The designs on our silk kimono were painted by hand by artisans. Spending time with a geisha could cost at least 30,000 yen an hour, or more than 50,000 yen for a famous geisha.
And premium teahouses like this one didn’t accept tourists. You needed an invitation and had to be brought by someone who already knew the proprietor. The geisha world was an exclusive one, entered by only a handful of people through invitation.
I secretly observed the guests. Many of them were older—over fifty, wearing white shirts and ties in the standard formal style.
The conversation began to flow, and the room grew lively. I listened to them, learning how our seniors spoke.
Then I heard a voice that, for some reason, sounded familiar.
“Mr. Yasuo, you really shouldn’t say that.” The man laughed in a baritone voice I thought I knew. And it turned out I did know him.
Daniel Tan.
It had probably been four years. I never imagined I’d meet him again today. I lowered my gaze. My job was to serve, and I couldn’t let myself look as though I was paying special attention to him. My older sister would be angry, and worse, I’d be accused of behaving improperly.
He was fairly young compared to the others. He was the only one who looked young here, though perhaps that was because of his rather baby-faced features.
“Miss, please…” He asked me to pour his tea. He looked at me for a moment, but this makeup had changed my face. I was sure he wouldn’t recognize me, even if I sat in front of him for hours.
And sure enough, there was no sign that he recognized me afterward.
Not long after dinner, several geisha began performing their dances, including me, because my older sister had ordered me to participate. Some of the guests began chatting, and my older sister took the initiative to introduce me to several important clients, especially Mr. Yamada.
“This is my younger sister, Kanna Takahashi…” I bowed respectfully from my knees. “She’s a superb dancer in Gion, which is why I dared to have her dance before you. And this month, she’s the number-one maiko.”
“Impressive. You’re always calculating everything, including taking on a younger sister.” Mr. Yamada’s remark made my older sister laugh.
“Mr. Yamada, a geisha has to be good at business too.”
“Takahashi…?” The introduction made Daniel look at me. Did he still remember my father?
“Yes, her name is Kanna Takahashi. Perhaps you know another Takahashi, sir?” My older sister’s question made him think for a moment.
“Ah, I’ve probably heard too many people named Takahashi…” He didn’t want to pursue the matter.
“Ah, yes. There are a lot of Takahashis in Japan.” Now he remembered my father. There was no doubt about it.
I had to escort him to the restroom afterward. Escorting guests like this was part of a maiko’s duties, since some guests didn’t know the way, and it was also a matter of courtesy.
“Are you the Kanna Takahashi I know? Have we met before?” The question finally came out.
“Yes, sir. We met four years ago in Tokyo, at my father’s funeral. Once again, thank you for your kindness back then.”
“Ah, Kanna-san. So it really is you. I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you. You’ve certainly done well for yourself in Gion, becoming number one. You must have worked very hard. I’m glad to see you’re doing well…” He smiled, and I loved seeing that smile.
“I was such a burden back then…” I laughed softly.
“You’re still a burden now, but to the other maiko because you’re number one.” We laughed. “…That’s good. You’ve learned to move forward and even start running. Just as your father said, his pride in you wasn’t misplaced.” His words brought back so many memories of my father.
“I was just lucky…”
“And I’m one of those people who doesn’t believe in luck. I only believe in hard work. You should be proud of yourself.” As usual, he had a way of encouraging people. I smiled at his words.
“I never expected us to meet again. It’s truly a relief to see someone reap the rewards of her hard work.” I smiled. Suddenly, this reunion felt wonderful.
“Let’s go back…” We returned and rejoined the other guests.
No one knows what the future holds. Those few words of encouragement had helped me all the way to today. I felt incredibly lucky to meet him again.
I hoped I would get to talk with him more in the future.
I never met Mr. Daniel again. That was the only time, while I was a maiko. I didn’t dare call him, of course. I was afraid it would be considered rude. If Auntie found out I had deliberately called someone, she would have scolded me mercilessly.
I once asked my older sister Himari about Daniel Tan.
“Older Sister, a fairly young man joined us last night. Mr. Daniel Tan. Do you know him?”
“Hmm… I think I’ve met him once. He doesn’t live here, but he comes here often. His boss is in Hong Kong. One of Mr. Yamada’s sons married into a Hong Kong business family, and Daniel is one of that family’s trusted people. He’s sort of a business liaison.”
“Oh, I see…”
“Do you know him? He seemed to recognize you last night.” My older sister was curious too. It was the first time I had asked specifically about a guest who had caught my attention.
“I met him at my father’s funeral.” And he had been sincere. Even now, he could still remember me.
It turned out my life wasn’t destined to stay at the bottom forever, just as he’d said. If we kept trying to move forward, climb, and stay positive, eventually a better path would appear—even if, at first, we could never imagine living a life like this.
Years later, I had become a full geiko, but I never met him again. My life was busy at twenty-eight. In fact, when I was twenty-five, three years after completing my education, I had paid off all the money I owed the okiya that had funded my maiko training and covered my living expenses for those five years—in other words, my debt to Auntie.
She was stingy, believe me. Even though I was her niece, she ordered her accountant to account for every last cent. Maybe it was because she had once lived through a time when every penny mattered.
By then, I had starred in several commercials, become a popular geiko in Gion, and served as a tourism ambassador, my face appearing on countless travel posters. I met many important people from overseas who were brought in by clients because I spoke English well and perhaps because my conversation was entertaining for guests.
I was always sought out for gatherings involving foreigners. Sometimes I even handled engagements at teahouses in Tokyo. I had something like an assistant who managed my schedule.
I was one of the few elite geiko who specialized in corporate and government events. My rates were above average because of my skills and popularity. My life as an artist was probably at its peak.
One advantage I had that only a handful of geisha possessed was the ability to learn foreign languages quickly. During my school years, I had worked desperately to study them, and now I was seeing the results. I had even learned Mandarin as my third language.
Love? Geisha and geiko weren’t actually allowed to have lovers. Their lives were dedicated to art. But of course, times had changed, and exceptions to the rules had always existed around us.
But in my case, Auntie guarded me like porcelain. She was serious about it. Anyone who wanted to touch me had to deal with her. Ordinary men had no chance of touching me. It was no wonder I was a symbol of the success of her okiya. Many new maiko applicants came because they admired my name.
Anyone who wanted to touch me had to demonstrate proper good intentions. The definition of “proper” was difficult to meet—or perhaps I simply hadn’t met the right person to become my danna. In any case, a danna required both feelings and a long-term relationship.
So I didn’t know. Maybe I was a little lonely, though I never felt short of attention. Many of my clients were generous to me, giving me jewelry and expensive kimono. That made Auntie guard me like her own precious jewel, apart from the fact that I helped them at business meetings, smoothing their dealings by keeping their guests happy.
It was April in Tokyo, and I had always loved spring and summer. It was cherry blossom season. But it was also the busiest season for me. Tokyo was packed with events, but I was free until evening that morning.
I used the opportunity to lose myself in Shinjuku Gyoen, a vast park in Tokyo, before it became too crowded with tourists during the day. Dressed casually and comfortably, I explored the expansive botanical garden. It had been a long time since I’d come here. Wandering through its familiar corners felt like finding myself again.
As noon approached, I found an Italian restaurant nearby. I wanted lunch before returning to the hotel, since I had to get ready for an evening appointment at a teahouse.
“Kanna-san?” Someone called my name, drawing my attention away from the phone in my hand. “Ah, it really is you.” I smiled immediately when I saw who was standing in front of me.
“Mr. Daniel…” I stood and bowed to him. He returned my bow politely.
“I never expected to run into you here.” But he had someone with him—a younger man, apparently, with a somewhat arrogant face. He didn’t greet me, but out of respect for Mr. Daniel’s guest, I bowed to him.
“Ah, Hisao, this lady is a famous geisha from Gion. Her name is Kanna Takahashi.” Mr. Daniel still remembered my full name. I was genuinely touched that he could remember it even after all these years.
Hisao bowed to me. He looked somewhat arrogant, but he was polite enough. I bowed back in acknowledgment of his greeting.
“This is Hisao. He’s Mr. Yuto Yamada’s grandson. His grandfather and your father often invited Miss Kanna when entertaining guests in Gion and Tokyo. She’s one of the few bilingual geisha. Ah, perhaps she speaks Mandarin too…?” Hisao looked at me now.
“Oh, really? For some reason, I feel like I see her all the time. But I don’t think we’ve ever met.”
“That’s because she appears on so many billboards and tourism ads…” Mr. Daniel explained. I only smiled. Apparently, he had noticed how often I appeared in various advertisements.
“Oh my God, you’re right. I’m standing face-to-face with a superstar. Miss Kanna, forgive me for not recognizing you.” Hisao now seemed to acknowledge my importance.
“I’m no one special. Mr. Daniel is exaggerating.” I laughed softly.
“So you’re in Tokyo now.”
“I have work here for a few days. Have you two had lunch? Let’s eat. Please let me pay this time.”
“Oh, no, don’t… We should be paying for you. This is going to be an expensive lunch.” Mr. Daniel joked. He was a friendly man who knew how to keep a conversation going. I liked his warmth.
“True. After this, we’ll receive a bill we can justify paying.” Hisao didn’t seem quite as stiff with me anymore. Before, he had assumed I was just an unimportant pretty girl. Once he learned who I was, he began showing me respect.
“I’m not working right now. This is a summer lunch beneath the stretch of cherry blossoms at the far end of the park. Think of it that way…”
“Now I understand why they’re considered high-level artists. They can weave poetry into a conversation.” Daniel joked as they appeared willing to sit with me.
Let this be my way of thanking Mr. Yamada, who had made extensive use of our services. I signaled the waiter to bring them menus.
“Mr. Daniel is very good at compliments. I wonder how many girls have been captivated by them.”
“Oh, that’s true. You’re very perceptive.” Hisao shot back.
“Oh, who runs a club in Roppongi now whenever he comes to town?” I hid my smile as they revealed each other’s secrets.
Roppongi was a nightlife district, home to Tokyo’s finest premium hostess clubs and karaoke bars. The number-one women there could make their clients spend tens of thousands or even millions of yen at special events, easily persuading them to buy drinks and amenities.
“You’re making me look bad in front of this beautiful, famous girl. Pretty soon she’ll report me to my grandfather.” I laughed at the two of them. “Miss, don’t believe him.” I could only smile broadly.
“Come to his place properly next time. Maybe then he’ll believe you. No wonder your parents are always shaking their heads at how often you go to Roppongi. It’s only a matter of time before your face gets put on the blacklist there.”
Hisao grimaced, unable to fight back now. Apparently, Mr. Daniel knew all his trump cards. I smiled broadly as I listened to their argument.
“Miss Kanna, the next time I go to Kyoto, I’ll visit you to repay you for this lunch.” Hisao now seemed to know how to return my kindness.
“Mr. Hisao, I’d be honored if you came to visit us…”
“There you go. That’s a good man. Don’t only visit Roppongi.” Daniel laughed.
“Mr. Daniel, I’ve been meaning to ask you something. I’ve seen you here several times. Do you live here?”
“Oh, no. My home is in Hong Kong. My boss is Hisao’s maternal grandfather. I’m only occasionally assigned to Japan. When we met before, I happened to be in Tokyo very often.” So that was how it was. He didn’t live in Tokyo, and Mr. Yamada wasn’t even his boss.
“Oh, so you two have known each other for a long time.”
“Ah, yes. I used to know Kanna’s father. I never expected to meet her again after she’d become successful. It’s been a long time—ten years, I think…” Daniel counted the years since we had first met.
“Oh, is your family in Tokyo?” Hisao asked me now.
“No. Both my parents passed away a long time ago.”
“They passed away a long time ago… So you really have known each other for a long time.”
The conversation flowed from there. I learned that he was an investment manager for a company in Hong Kong—in this case, Hisao’s maternal grandfather’s company. Apparently, Daniel was trusted to manage and oversee the investments made by the company.
I imagined that being an analyst or manager was prestigious. I had often dreamed of holding a position like that. Building a career at JPMorgan or one of the major global investment firms in Tokyo. But life had led me somewhere else. I admired Mr. Daniel completely, aside from the fact that he was a man who respected others.
When would I get another chance to speak with him? Could I talk to him privately? I didn’t have many opportunities.
Tomorrow night… I had time before returning to Kyoto. It was my only chance. In Kyoto, Auntie wouldn’t let me meet just anyone. Aoi, my assistant, followed me everywhere. She hadn’t come this time because I was only staying in Tokyo for three days.
My mind began searching for a way. Maybe I could talk to him. I had his phone number.
Lunch ended soon after. I thanked them politely.
“I’ll visit you when I come to Kyoto.” Hisao made me that promise.
“I’ll be happy to receive a visit from you, Mr. Hisao.”
“Miss Kanna, I’m glad we were brought together again.” Mr. Daniel smiled at me. Why was I always captivated by his warm smile? My heart fluttered as I returned it.
“I’m the lucky one, Mr. Daniel.” But I still bowed politely to him at the end of lunch. We parted, and I watched his retreating silhouette.
I had to talk to him again.
Tomorrow night! I had to try. Now or never. This was the first time I’d ever felt so bold.
It was thrilling, but it also felt wonderful.
During our conversation, I’d managed to gather some information about his personal life. The forty-three-year-old man seemed to be single. I didn’t know what had happened, but I’d gathered that from something Hisao had said.
“Next time, bring a girl home, brother, so you won’t be alone anymore. You’re still young, not old and decrepit. Or let Kanna find you a match in Gion.”
“So Mr. Daniel is single now? Mr. Daniel, a man as interesting as you—what woman would ever turn you down?” I joked, though I was really fishing for information. I had never been this curious about someone before, perhaps because he was mature yet still looked young, and above all, because I thought he was a good man.
He laughed softly.
“I just need some time for myself.” Time for himself. Hmm… That made me think about a lot of things.
He didn’t volunteer anything about his personal life. My bait hadn’t worked. Now I was even more curious about him.
I gripped my phone, wavering between calling and not calling. It wasn’t too late yet. Would it be rude to call him? Or was it already late enough that he might be resting?
Would it be more polite to send a message explaining myself, then ask if I could invite him to dinner? I just wanted to talk to him again… Just talk. That should be okay, right?
Maybe it would be better to send a message first… Rather than calling him outright. He might not answer a call from someone he didn’t know. I finally made up my mind.
“Mr. Daniel Tan, this is Kanna Takahashi. You once gave me your phone number. If you don’t mind, may I call you?”
I waited for his reply, my heart pounding. After a while, there was still no answer. If he didn’t respond, I wouldn’t dare call him tonight.
Then my screen blinked with a message from him.
“Sure.” He said yes. I nearly jumped for joy.
I pressed the call button and waited anxiously for him to pick up.
“Hello…” His baritone made my heart beat a little faster.
“Mr. Daniel, good evening. I hope I’m not disturbing you.”
“Kanna-san, of course not. Is there something I can help you with?”
“Actually, I’m not calling to ask for help. If it’s all right, I’d like to invite you to dinner tomorrow. I’ve never had the chance to thank you…”
“Oh, thank me for what?” He didn’t feel he had done anything, even though his words ten years ago had helped me live a better life.
“Perhaps because ten years ago, someone who knew my father and respected him made me feel that your words meant a great deal…”
He was silent for a moment. Perhaps he wasn’t sure what I meant and didn’t feel he had done anything significant back then.
“I’m honestly not sure what I said at the time. Maybe because I also know what it’s like to lose your parents young, I understood your position. But you’ve never owed me anything. Somehow, I feel that my own journey back then was a painful one too…”
“I understand what you’re saying, sir. I just want to talk with you more, but our perspectives are different… Think of it as my way of returning a little of the kindness you showed me back then. I hope you won’t refuse. I have limited time, and we may rarely have the chance to meet in the future.”
He seemed to weigh my words. My heart pounded as I waited for his answer.
“The location is up to you, but I have to pay. I insist…” I added, applying a little pressure to make him agree. He laughed.
“All right, all right… I’ll choose the place. Hmm. I’ll let you know tomorrow, okay?” I was overjoyed.
“Thank you. I’m so happy you agreed.”
I would sleep soundly tonight. I couldn’t wait for tomorrow.