back to our regular ozashiki

[Masako]

That evening we were sent to another ozashiki, where as we came in Masako did not recognize any of the guests. Breathing a sigh of relief she took her place between two of the men and began with her usual flirting chatter.

Also surprised so few geisha and customers were there. In fact only Teruko and her oneesan, Masako and Sakuraki with only 6 guests.

No sooner did the girls get settled, that this older man motioned to Teruyuki, Teruko’s oneesan and the two of them did a dance with Sakuraki playing the Shamisen.

Not until much later when every one had much to drink did Masako hear, “Sakura, your father tells us you do a sensuously wicked Oiran dance, tantalize us.”

This from the host, the older man who got everything started.

As she always does, totally immersed in her thoughts as she danced, not until it ended did she realize every one had left but that older man.

Upon setting next to him he tells her, “I am Master Onawun Keinushu, an associate of your father and Oyabun of the Kobe district…and you my precious little cherry blossom are mine, this has been cleared with your Okasan, Yen has traded hands, Huro Reyasu has given you to me. Not that it matters, but you do willingly submit to my authority over you, Yes.”

Had he been nice looking, even pleasant in his manor…if there was anything desirable about him, Masako would have been pleased to submit to him…but yuck. Alas with no recourse She bowed her head and replied, “As you wish my Master, I am yours.”

Even his smile looked dangerous, as he tells her, “As I was told, you were trained properly to be my Geisha…so let us leave here.”

Outside a long stretch limo awaited them, once in he tells Masako, “Here Girl light my cigar, have a cigarette and pour us Champaign…now so you know, this union is for appearances only, whenever I need you, you will make yourself available, dressed as I tell you, either formal, Maiko, or thingytail. Clothing, Yen, your costs, everything will be taken care of. Be as you know how and you will never need for anything, treat me with indifference and your father will suffer, do I make myself clear…reply.”

Shaking with fear, Masako nervously replies, “Yes my Master I understand, may I sa…”

“NO YOU MAY NOT! Speak only when spoken to, and with simple answers, you may be desirably tempting but generally women such as you are too illiterate to voice anything intelligent. Tomorrow afternoon a limo will collect you for your fittings and to show you where we will meet, never in Gion…here you are at your okiya…until I summon you.”


The driver opens the door, and Masako slides out. In her room she thinks, “What a strange man…and what am I then, his escort, god forbid concubine, or possibly it is as he says, To be seen with him…what is it with these old men they must have a young girl at their side. I must speak to Teruko about this.

“And did father do this to me…damn….”

[Masako]

After Masako left that boy in the park, back in the house she prepared herself for the evenings ozashiki, and hurried off to it.
Her sisters, their oneesan Masako, and Sakuraki were the only ones here so far, and she wondered if Teruko would be here too.
A different group of customers, more sedate and serious sounding was at this one, so it went by in a true text book manor.

No silliness, sensuous dancing, mainly no father to embarrass any of us.

From that one Masako walked to the next one she was to perform at, again hoping she will see Teruko there.

[Masako]

In this ozashiki Masako is set next to this ever so handsome man, who is quick to ask, “I was told master Huroshena Reyasu’s daughter will be here, do you know her?”

Casting her eyes down, Masako replies, “I am Sakura, my father is Master Huroshena Reyasu. How may I be of assistance to you kind sir?”

The man brightens up, as he tells her, “I am Georgi Rasmussen, I am Russian and a friend and business associate of your father. He has told me you are a well versed conversationalist. I wish to talk to you.”

Very so quickly, Masako asks herself, what did father get me into now, me a talker, all I do is flirt. Well I will just need to play it be ear.”

So as the ozashiki continues, Masako soon finds that he is doing all the talking, and what he needs is some one to listen and agree with him. And he does not even stop talking during some of the girls performing. All of which would not be so terrible if he talked about anything other than politics and business.

[Teruha]

In the second hour, Teruha entered with her oneesan. She sat next to her friend and said, "Good evening, sir. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Teruha, Sakura's friend."

[Masako]

Masako seeing Teruko come in whispers to master Rasmussen, “Most honorable sir if you enjoy our traditional dances and shamisen, my friend Teruha and her oneesan have arrived, Teruha is an excellent musician.”

“So Huro tells us you are a very sensuous dancer too.”

Sensuous yes, but the traditional dances display a subtleness of sexuality that only the finest of dancers can relate.”

He smiles, as he says, “As you wish my pet.” Then calls to the gentleman setting next to Teruha, “Yuki ask your geisha if she will play for us.”

[Masako]

As Teruha says that, he smiles, and says, “My dear when one is as lovely as you, to introduce yourself referring to another…will never do.”

Then hearing his friends request he asks, “It seems you have an admirer here tonight, may we ask, will you and your oneesan perform for us.”

[Teruha]

Teruha batted her eyelashes in a somewhat flirtatous manner, a wild exaggeration for her to be flirting at all. "Of course we will dance for you." A jikata came to the stage area and began to play Willow River. This was a good song for tall and flexible women. Very watery, very fluid.

[Masako]

Masako smiled to herself as Teruha began, knowing how perfect her music is, and soon the room was quiet, listening and watching a real perfectionist.

Master Rasmussen set looking almost hypnotized by the exultant performance.

Also catching that cute little hint of flirting Teruha did, and feeling happy knowing her friend is allowing herself to relax more.

[Teruha]

But of course Teruha wasn't relaxing at all. It was all part of the job.

[Masako]

As they begin playing the room quiets as every one listens, with no one disappointed.

Sakura tells master Rasmussen, “I am so honored to have Teruha as my friend, she is the best at everything she does. While I am but mediocre at the arts,”

As he offers Sakura some sake and a cigarette, he softly tells her, “Do not pretend with me, I know all about you Masako. You are a born tease, just as your mother was, and you have dozens of men who will jump to be your patron. So I hear if it were possible you could be living in your own house even now.”

Masako doesn’t smoke because she enjoys it, but if the customer does, then she does to cover the smell of his breath. But in doing so, she has created a very sensuous way of smoking. As she sucks the smoke into her mouth, she allows a puff to escape only to be sucked back in as she inhales. Upon exhaling she only lets it drift from her lips, up her face, through her hair, and gone.

So as the cigarette smoke drifts from her lips, she replies, “You are too kind to say so my lord, but alas, we do not see a grove of men standing in line waiting my favors.”

Then the attention is taken by the performance.

[Teruha]

Arms bent like branches in the wind, long sleeves imitating the long strands of leaves on a weeping willow. Water flowing nearby...

[Masako]

As the ones there look, seemingly mesmerized by the performance, Master Rasmussen says, “After this brakes up you accompany me to a private gathering.”

“Oh, a thousand pardons my lord, but I have other engagements yet this night. I must attend, they are expecting us all.”

He turns away, calls some one on his cell phone, then tells Masako, “It is arranged no one is expecting you anywhere but with me. Funds have been transferred. We leave right after this performance!”

Masako can almost smell her father’s influence in what has just transpired, ‘Damn,’ she thinks, ‘Will I ever be free of his control…but at least the house is paid. Perhaps I will receive something of my own too…teehee.’ Then to master Rasmussen, “As you wish my lord, I shall be all you desire.”

[Teruha]

At the end of the dance, the dancers and jikata bowed to the men and returned to mingle.

[Masako]

Then Master Rasmussen and Sakura, leave the party.