7: Training
As a girl, Oto was sold to a Geisha training school and by 18 was a Geisha. For 20 years she specialized as sex partner to thousands of lustful rich men who pounded home between her thighs, including, it was rumored, the Emperor. Retiring, she set up a training. A sponsor pays the apprentice fee as loan and the girl works off the debt later. In Kimi’s case, the Army is shipping soldiers to China
Oto’s trainees sleep in a corner room. Mornings after stowing sleeping futon behind sliding panels, each prepares bean soup, pickled vegetable and fish on rice, and eats kneeling at a long low table. Duties are cooking, cleaning house, gardening, running errands, shopping and doing personal maid. Oto is always saying, “A professional must be an artist in housewifery as well as at the traditional arts.”
Oto’s trainees sleep in a corner room. Mornings after stowing sleeping futon behind sliding panels, each prepares bean soup, pickled vegetable and fish on rice, and eats kneeling at a long low table. Duties are cooking, cleaning house, gardening, running errands, shopping and doing personal maid. Oto is always saying, “A professional must be an artist in housewifery as well as at the traditional arts.”
Afternoons, they lunch loudly on noodles then study under Oto – playing the 3-string shamisen, singing pop and ancient, writing poetry in classical calligraphy, learning traditional and social dancing and practicing flower arranging and tea ceremony.
Evenings, they survey literature, polish up their spoken language and do arithmetic.
On Saturday morning the local high school teacher lectures on science.
Evenings, they survey literature, polish up their spoken language and do arithmetic.
On Saturday morning the local high school teacher lectures on science.
Oto wishes her girls to grasp a wide range of knowledge. “A pretty head with nothing is not enough. Intelligent conversation is the key. The girl who has it is in greatest demand at highest price and with longest staying power.”
Most importantly, Oto teaches how to be lovely.
Most importantly, Oto teaches how to be lovely.
8: The Discipline of Oto
From the start Oto spurs Kimi along a harsh road:
The first day as personal maid Kimi prepares breakfast. The wall clock shows 5 as she heads towards Oto’s room. She places tray in front of Oto, who is sitting up in a western style bed.
“You are late.” Oto does not look up from her book.
“Ma’am, I went by the clock in the kitchen.”
“Stupid girl! The clock in my head says you are late. Kneel down.”
Oto goes and gets her wood paddle. She draws back Kimi’s gown. Kimi gasps as she is hit.
For a holiday, Oto selects Kimi to perform an olden times courtesan dance with stylized red and black fans. Kimi rehearses before the girls. It goes well except a minor misstep that no one should notice. Oto calls a halt.
“If you cannot do a thing perfectly, do not do it. Miki! Show how a real artiste dances.”
Miki, a prettier and more graceful girl, finishes flawlessly.
Next day the fans are in Miki’s hands. Kimi confronts her. “Why did you take them?”
“You won’t need them. You are too clumsy.”
The laughter of the others is too much. Kimi goes at Miki. They are pulled apart before damage is done. Later Kimi stands stiffly before Oto. “You must learn control. If you show anger, you cannot be a successful artiste. Our art is best done with a cool head. You shall be servant to Miki for one week to learn humility.”
The discipline may seem harsh, but later in life Kimi would look back at Oto for hardening her so she could plunge into the fullness of life.
To read next, click 1.9
Lessons for a Sex Worker
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