Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)

Michelle Yeoh: Mameha

Photos 

Quotes 

• Mameha : Water is powerful. It can wash away earth, put out fire, and even destroy iron.

• Mameha : [explaining sex to Sayuri]  Every once in a while, a man's "eel" likes to visit a woman's... "cave."

  Sayuri Nitta : Yes, I know.

  Mameha : You do?

  Sayuri Nitta : I live with Hatsumomo.

• Mameha : [in voiceover]  Remember, Chiyo, geisha are not courtesans. And we are not wives. We sell our skills, not our bodies. We create another secret world, a place only of beauty. The very word "geisha" means artist and to be a geisha is to be judged as a moving work of art.

• Hatsumomo : [entertaining at the teahouse]  Sayuri. A name as sweet as she is. I'm afraid these days even the common chambermaid can call herself a geisha. So, it's nice to see such a sincere young maiko, isn't it?

  Mameha : [to Sayuri]  Surely you would like to thank Hatsumomo for her gracious compliments.

  Sayuri Nitta : [serving tea]  There is so much I would like to say to Hatsumomo.

  Hatsumomo : [laughing]  Sometimes the smartest remark is silence

  Sayuri Nitta : What better advise to follow than your own.

• Mameha : [to Chiyo]  Your cave is untouched. Men like that. We call this "mizuage". And to become a full geisha, you must sell it to the highest bidder.

• Mameha : Now rise.

  [Sayuri rises] 

  Mameha : Not like a horse.

• Mameha : [speaking of Nobu]  What is he to think? He safeguarded your life.

  Sayuri Nitta : So now he owns it?

• Mameha : [while teaching Sayuri]  You cannot call yourself a truse geisha until you can stop a man in his tracks with a single look.

• Mameha : You have a gift for expression.

• Mameha : I'm wonder why Mrs. Nitta has not adopted Hatsumomo?

  Sayuri Nitta : That would be like releasing the tiger from its cage.

• Mameha : We do not become Geisha to pursue our own destinies. We become Geisha because we have no other choice.

• Mameha : [about the Baron losing the bidding]  No man would bid so much for a thing he had already taken.

• Narrator (Old Sayuri) : The winter I turned fifteen I saw the chairman again, but that wasn't the only surprise fate brought me that season. Along with the snow came a most unexpected visitor.

  Mother : Why is she here? Chiyo, Chiyo, open the gate!

  [motioning for her to open the door and straigtening herself before going to her table] 

  Mameha : Now that your beloved granny has gone you have no need for a maid.

  Mother : I would never question the great Mameha, but you could choose anyone in the Hanamachi.

  Mameha : You flatter me, truly.

  [bowering her head in compliment] 

  Mother : I would give you my pumpkin if she weren't already tied to Hatsumomo.

  Mameha : Please I would never dream of asking

  Mother : Besides, I can always sell Chiyo to Mrs. Tetsuyo.

  [smoking her cigerette] 

  Mameha : With your eye for beauty and nose for talent,surely you can see what a terrible waste that would be.

  Mother : If you were not the kind hearted Geisha I know you to be, then I might think that you werescheming against Hatsumomo.

  [looking towards the door where Chiyo and Pumpkin are listening] 

  Mameha : Then I'm grateful Mrs. Nita that you don't have a suspicious mind.

  Mother : Perhaps you can pique my interest with... your offer.

  Mameha : I will cover Chiyo's schooling, all her expenses, until after her debut.

  [proposing as she slides her cup across the table] 

  Mother : Now I am confident that you are teasing.

  [pouring more tea] 

  Mameha : I could not be more sincere. If Chiyo has not repaid her debt within six months after her debut.

  Mother : [scoffing]  Impossible, too little time!

  Mameha : Then I will pay you twice over.

  [uping the offer] 

  Mother : What...? No Geisha could ever...

  [pushing the tea towards Mameha] 

  Mameha : And I am certain you will not object to one trivial condition.

  Mother : Uh yes...?

  [puts down pipe, listening intently] 

  Mameha : If Chiyo erases her debt in the time allowed, You will not have any part in her future earnings.

  Mother : [smirks in acceptance] 

• Sayuri Nitta : About your kimono...

  Mameha : There's no need to apoligize. I'm not foolish. Hatsumomo cannot tolerate competition.

  Sayuri Nitta : She is jealous of you?

  Mameha : Not me I'm afraid. Someone closer to home.