Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)

Ken Watanabe: Chairman

Photos 

Quotes 

• Chairman : We must not expect happiness, Sayuri. It is not something we deserve. When life goes well, it is a sudden gift; it cannot last forever...

• Sayuri Nitta : [turns to see the Chairman standing in front of her]  Chairman, where is Nobu-san?

  Chairman : He won't be coming.

  Sayuri Nitta : Is something wrong?

  Chairman : He knows what happened. It is not in his nature to forgive.

  Sayuri Nitta : Chairman, what happened on the island...

  Chairman : Please, you don't have to explain.

  Sayuri Nitta : But I have shamed myself so deeply, past all forgiveness.

  Chairman : No! I'm the one who must be forgiven.

  Sayuri Nitta : I do not understand.

  Chairman : Perhaps... if you had only known the truth.

  Sayuri Nitta : The truth?

  Chairman : Some years ago, I was on my way to the theater. I saw a little girl weeping by the Sunagawa. I stopped to buy her a cup of sweet ice.

  Sayuri Nitta : You knew I was that little girl?

  Chairman : Didn't you ever wonder why Mameha took you under her wing?

  Sayuri Nitta : Mameha came to me because of you?... I wish you could have told me long ago.

  [turns her back to him] 

  Chairman : What could I do? I owe Nobu my life. And so when I saw that he had a chance at happiness with you, I stood silent, but... But I cannot any longer. I hope... it is not too late. Don't be afraid to look at me, Chiyo.

  Sayuri Nitta : [turns around to face him again]  Can't you see? Every step I have taken, since I was that child on the bridge, has been to bring myself closer to you.

  [finally kiss and embrace, cries in his arms] 

• Chairman : It is too pretty a day to be so unhappy. Did you fall down? Why so shy? Nothing to be ashamed of, we all stumble from time to time. Do you see that enchanting lady in green? Once when she was just a maiko, she fell clean off her wooden shoes.

  [laughs] 

  Geisha in Green : [laughs]  It's true, I did.

  Chairman : And now look at her, so elegant...

  Geisha in Green : Mr. Chairman, shouldn't we hurry? We will miss the beginning.

  Chairman : We see the spring dances every year, we can spare a moment. What's your name? Don't be afraid to look at me. Do you like sweet plum or cherry?

  Chiyo : You mean... to eat?

  Chairman : I like sweet plum myself. Come. None of us find as much kindness in this life, as we should. My children wait for these every spring.

  [hands her the ice and spoon] 

  Chiyo : [looks at geisha by the tree, smears some of the cherry ice on her lips]  Now I'm a geisha too.

  Chairman : [laughs]  And so you are. How did you come by such surprising eyes?

  Chiyo : My mother gave them to me.

  Chairman : Generous of her, wasn't it?

  Chiyo : As you have been to me.

  Chairman : Smile for me, won't you?

  [Chiyo smiles for him] 

  Chairman : There now, that is your gift to me.

  [hands Chiyo his handkerchief with the change inside] 

  Chairman : This will buy your supper. Now promise me one thing, next time you take a tumble... no frowns.

  [Chiyo nods] 

  Chairman : That's better.

  [leaves with geisha] 

• Chairman : None of us find as much happiness in this life as we should.

• Chairman : Please, Sayuri, do not be afraid to look at me.

• Chairman : Kindness we receive in our lives is not always enough.

• Chairman : You have to savor life while you can.

• Chairman : [to Chiyo]  Do you like sweet plum or cherry?