Memoirs of a Geisha Chapter 16 Summary

How It All Goes Down

  • Pumpkin wins "the apprentice's award" (16.3). No, it has nothing to do with Donald Trump.
  • But Mameha tells Sayuri not to worry.
  • Hatsumomo has been taking Pumpkin many, many places, which earns her the award, but they don't stay long, which will damage her reputation in the long run.
  • However, Mameha is worried about one thing: that Mrs. Nitta will adopt Pumpkin.
  • If she does, Hatsumomo would have control over the okiya, and Sayuri would never be rid of her.
  • Mameha has a plan, though: an engagement where Hatsumomo won't be.
  • It's a sumo wrestling competition attended by the President of Iwamura Electric: Nobu Toshikazu.
  • Nobu has burns all over his body and is missing an arm.
  • Nobu brought a colleague: the Chairman. Sayuri almost swoons at the sight of him.