Fleeing a distressing family situation, Eiko, a very young girl, becomes an apprentice to Miyoharu, a veteran geisha. Both, determined to preserve their professional integrity, must face the selfishness and ambition of several petty people.
geisha
coming of age
debt
teacher student relationship
kyoto, japan
post war japan
dignity
apprenticeship
shōwa era (1926-89)
japanese culture
father daughter estrangement
maiko
master apprentice relationship
women's struggle