Memoirs of a Geisha Quotes

A story like mine should never be told. For my world is as forbidden as it is fragile. Without its mysteries it cannot survive. I certainly wasn't born to the life of a geisha. Like so much in my strange life, I was carried there by the current.

Sayuri Narration

• Permalink: A story like mine should never be told. For my world is as forb...
• Added: September 11, 2007

Sayuri Nitta: [turns to see the Chairman standing in front of her] Chairman, where is Nobu-san?
Chairman: He won't be coming.
Sayuri Nitta: Is something wrong?
Chairman: He knows what happened. It is not in his nature to forgive.
Sayuri Nitta: Chairman, what happened on the island...
Chairman: Please, you don't have to explain.
Sayuri Nitta: But I have shamed myself so deeply, past all forgiveness.
Chairman: No! I'm the one who must be forgiven.
Sayuri Nitta: I do not understand.
Chairman: Perhaps... if you had only known the truth.
Sayuri Nitta: The truth?
Chairman: Some years ago, I was on my way to the theater. I saw a little girl weeping by the Sunagawa. I stopped to buy her a cup of sweet ice.
Sayuri Nitta: You knew I was that little girl?
Chairman: Didn't you ever wonder why Mameha took you under her wing?
Sayuri Nitta: Mameha came to me because of you?... I wish you could have told me long ago.
[turns her back to him]
Chairman: What could I do? I owe Nobu my life. And so when I saw that he had a chance at happiness with you, I stood silent, but... But I cannot any longer. I hope... it is not too late. Don't be afraid to look at me, Chiyo.
Sayuri Nitta: [turns around to face him again] Can't you see? Every step I have taken, since I was that child on the bridge, has been to bring myself closer to you.
[finally kiss and embrace, cries in his arms]

• Permalink: Chairman, where is Nobu-san? He won't be coming. Is someth...
• Added: September 11, 2007

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