1.(5-6) Semi Geisha Training

*Slim Novel 1 - http://adventuresofkimi.blogspot.com - See Homepage

5 Entertainer of Men

Grandma explains menstruation. Most girls see blood at thirteen. She instructs Kimi to remove clothes and notes sexual hair, swelling and darkening of the breast nipples.

  “How long have these been dark?”

  “Since last month, Grandma. What does it mean?”

  “You are becoming a woman. But no blood yet?”

Kimi begins to feel nausea. Going out on the boat is worse. Soon all she can do is lie down. A doctor is called. After testing, he says Kimi is pregnant. Her father becomes more silent than usual. Next day, his boat does not return to port. It drifts unmanned. They never find his body.

Grandma asks Kimi if she sexed with Father. On hearing Yes she takes Kimi to the city for abortion. But this is not all. Others find out and Kimi is shunned. Day after day she sits by window. Grandma too feels the pressure.

  The village headman visits Grandma. “The girl has no future here. The only answer I see is work to earn her own way in life… .”

  Grandma puts a hand over her eyes. “You are saying she should become an entertainer of men?”

6 Oto

Ex-geisha Oto runs a training house. Trainees are poor daughters who, not having been dropped into ocean at birth, remain a burden. To be accepted by Oto one needs a sponsor and has to be presentable. Interview precedes acceptance.

  Day of interview, Kimi and Grandma go to the hot-springs town nearby. They walk from train station and Grandma, short of breath, sits on a rock above the town as Kimi looks down at the smoky springs of aromatic chalky water and beyond to the snowy mountains.

  They walk more and come to a gate. Grandma strikes a bell. After minutes they hear approaching steps.  A girl in fancy green kimono appears. She walks on high, shiny black sandals and has up swept hair. Bowing formally and speaking hi-pitched she says, “Welcome” and guides them by an inner courtyard, past a rock garden and into a house whose outer walls are a highly polished red-brown beech wood.

  Inside she kneels, pulls aside a sliding door panel and says. “Please enter and be seated.”  Still kneeling, she bows so that her brow touches the tatami; then gets up and goes.

  The doors are sliding white-paper frame panels (shoji), and the walls and ceiling are polished brown beech wood. The room only has a central rectangular black lacquered low table. Kimi and Grandma kneel by it. In a corner to their left is a simple but elegant lotus flower arrangement in front of a hanging scroll that shows a circle of ancient scholars looking at a tall bamboo plant in their midst.

  The fancy dressed girl returns with cups of hot green tea and slices of sweet bean jelly and again bows her way out.

  Kimi reaches for a slice but Grandma’s sharp pinch stops her just as the sliding panel is drawn aside and a woman enters. As it is closed the woman kneels and, saying traditional greeting, bows, brow almost touching tabletop.

  She is small and thin in fine dark kimono and her face presents a downward curving nose, thin lips and slightly receding chin. She looks at Kimi and turns to Grandma.

  “Normally I would not take her. Too old. Most of my girls are brought to me before age 10. By 13 they have fixed habits and are hard to train.” She pauses. “But, considering your village headman is a friend, and I too am a fisherman’s daughter … .”

  Grandma bows repeatedly. “Thank you!  Thank you!”

  “The girl will assume the duties of a daughter. She will do whatever I say. She will be allowed no visitors and will not leave the house without permission. I keep her only as long as she follows my rules. Is it understood?”

  “Yes Madam. Thank you! Thank you!” Grandma’s eyes are wet.

  “And you girl! Your stay here will not be a child’s game. I care nothing for feelings. I cannot be your mother.” She pauses. “Will you stay willingly and not run away? This is no prison. If you are that sort, I do not take you. Answer me now!”

  Kimi looks at Grandma but the old lady’s head is buried in her kerchief.

  “Yes or no?”

  Still Kimi says nothing.

  Grandma lifts her head. “Answer the lady!” She commands.

  “Un.” Kimi signals Yes in child fashion.

  “Your grandmother will go now. When you are grown you will understand how much she sacrifices so you may have a life of your own.”

  Oto and Grandma bow to each other and Oto accompanies the old woman out.

  Kimi sits alone, feeling deserted.

                       To read next, click 1.(7- 8) Artistes