A Geisha (1953)
"Gion bayashi" (original title)

In the post-war Gion district of Kyoto, the geisha Miyoharu agrees to apprentice the 16 year-old Eiko, whose mother was a former geisha who had just died. After a year of training they have... See full summary »

Director:

Kenji Mizoguchi

Writers:

Matsutarô Kawaguchi (novel), Matsutarô Kawaguchi (screenplay),

Stars:

Michiyo Kogure, Ayako Wakao, Seizaburô Kawazu

2 wins.

Cast

Credited cast:
Michiyo Kogure	...	Miyoharu
Ayako Wakao	...	Eiko
Seizaburô Kawazu	...	Kusuda
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Saburô Date	...	Imanishi
Kyôko Hisamatsu	...	Young girl
Sumao Ishihara	...	Kokichi
Kanae Kobayashi	...	Hairdresser
Keiko Kobayashi
Midori Komatsu	...	Oume
Kanji Koshiba	...	Kanzaki
Kazuko Maeda	...	Maid
Ryusuke Maki
Tokiko Mita	...	Apprentice geisha #1
Kikue Môri	...	Domestic arts teacher
Chieko Naniwa	...	Okimi

Storyline

In the post-war Gion district of Kyoto, the geisha Miyoharu agrees to apprentice the 16 year-old Eiko, whose mother was a former geisha who had just died. After a year of training they have to find a large sum of money before Eiko can debut. Miyoharu borrows the money from the tea-house owner, Okimi, who in turn obtains the money from the businessman Kusuda. Kusuda fancies Eiko himself and wants to give Miyoharu to Kanzaki in order to close a large business deal. However both geishas have minds of their own and, going against tradition, want to be able to say no to clients.

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Plot Keywords:

geisha | post war | biting | attempted rape | debt | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

11 June 1978 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Geisha

Company Credits

Production Co:

Daiei Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in Kenji Mizoguchi: The Life of a Film Director (1975)

User Reviews

a very unsettling film--just as the writers intended

This is the story of a woman who becomes a Geisha. She is never given any choice and she becomes a virtual slave to the system. In essence, its as if the was sold to the owner of the stable of Geishas. Then, after all her training and money spent making her the perfect host and performer, her "owner" expects the girl to pay her back by sleeping with her clients--whether or not she finds them repellent or not. The girl objects and is abused and threatened until she complies. A TOUGH movie to watch, indeed.

This movie is diametrically opposed to the documentaries I have seen about the lives of Geishas. They portray the women as entertainers and say they do NOT sleep with the clients--unless, of course, one agrees to do this on her own. This may be true now, but I know that this was not always the case--particularly with women the Japanese kidnapped from Korea and other parts to be "comfort women"--less "Geishas" with all their training but more glorified prostitutes.

A very unusual and interesting film that will also tug at your heartstrings for this poor girl.