Nobu: Nobu is a co worker at the Itzumuera electricity. He has a disfigured body because he was at a war and has lost one of his arm and has a horrible burn on his side of the face. He is also a close friend of the Chairman. He takes interest in Chiyo (Sayuri) as soon as he encounters her. When it was time for Chiyo to become a real geisha, she gives Nobu a sign that she would like him to bet on her mitzuwage which is basically a ceremony where you are losing your virginity to become a geisha.
Dr. Crab: Dr. Crab also takes a notice in Chiyo and Mameha's plan for Chiyo is to have the two men (Dr. Crab and Nobu) to get in a betting fight so that Chiyo's mitzuage value will increase. The final winner is Dr. Crab.
Pumpkin: Pumpkin is Chiyo's friend from the first time she came to the okiya. Pumpkin helped Chiyo get through everything by helping her attend school. Although Pumpkin's older sister became Hatsumomo, she wasn't as evil as Hatsumomo was. Later, mother decides to adopt her and pass the okiya to her when she dies but this plan changes and Chiyo is adopted. This event breaks up Chiyo and Pumpkin's relationship because she dearly wanted to become adopted.
Events & Places:
By meeting Mameha and becoming her younger sister, Chiyo is finally on training with Mameha to become a geisha. Since they had little time compared to Pumpkin who became their rivals, they decide to focus on their training as quickly as possible. Finally time comes for Chiyo to have her mitzuage for betting. After she has her mitzuage ceremony done, she can finally become a full geisha. Although Nobu had serious feelings for Chiyo, he did not bet and the final winner was Dr. Crab and Chiyo was awarded with the most betting money in history. This angers Hatsumomo and she finally gives up when mother decides to adopt Chiyo instead of Pumpkin. Chiyo and Mameha achieves what they longed for but Chiyo is still not happy since she is unable to have a relationship with the Chairman. In the midst of these events, a war breaks out and people are sent to havens for safety. Nobu, sends Chiyo to a safe place and is told to stay there until the war is over. Chiyo lives a peasant life for a couple of years.
Symbols:
Virginity-I think this was a serious thing for geisha's at the time to have because in order to become a high end geisha, it was crucial that they had a chance to do their mitzuage properly and stay "worthy".
Themes & Idea:
Jealousy: Pumpkin is extremely jealous of Chiyo since she seems to get everything that Pumpkin has always wished for. This upsets Pumpkin and their friendship finally break up when Hatsumomo abandons Pumpkin after Chiyo is adopted.
I think the idea of following your heart is crucial in these few chapters because Chiyo is awfully upset that she can't be together with the chairman. She stands in the pathway of being in love with the chairman and following her heart or to become a great geisha without having to love.
Connections and Questions:
I was able to really connect with Chiyo in these few chapters because I knew how hard it was for her to become a geisha but at the same time, she was so limited to sharing her feelings. She says "If Nobu was beyond my reach, how much more unreachable the Chairman must be. Since finding him again at the sumo exhibition, I'd begun to think of all the possibilities life presented to me." (p.212) I think if I was her, I would have tried to get both of her desires but I don't think it will work out for her. Some of the questions popped up while I was reading these chapters because I was limited to the different culture that Japan had at the time. I thought it was too young for Chiyo to be going around in tea houses and prepare to loose her virginity when she was only fifteen. Maybe that's how things were back then, but I still feel like that is way too fast.
Here is a video of what geisha's life is like:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3Tr_yDdwRQ
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