The Geisha Way

Ch 11- Beauty Is Pain.

“We all know that a winter scene, though it may be covered over one day, with even the trees dressed in shawls of snow, will be unrecognizable the following spring. Yet I never imagined such a thing could occur within our very selves.” 

Miomomo sat on the zabuton across from Biyōchō, making sure her posture was flawless. There was a tea set, set out in front of them as empty as she felt, without her ninja training. The stillness of the atmosphere gave her chills up her spine; and yet they sat there in a hushed silence. Biyōchō previously told her that these next few weeks were crucial, but didn’t tell her why.

“When a geisha paints the back of her neck, she leaves a few strips of bare, exposed skin; do you know why that is?” Biyōchō questioned her.

“Because the neck is considered the most sensual part of a woman.”

“Exactly; however, there are little techniques to capturing attention from a man.” Biyōchō picked up the teapot and pretended to pour some tea; after she put the tea pot down she turned her hand, palm side up, and let her kimono sleeve ride up a little ways. “When a man is seeking attention from you, you can reward him with showing your wrist, seeing a glimpse of naked skin gives him pleasure.” Miomomo tried to copy Biyōchō’s actions; she picked up the teapot and pretended to pour tea, once she set it back down she exposed her wrist discreetly before covering it again.

“Like that Onesan?” Biyōchō smiled.

“You’re a natural.” She stood up and sat down next to Miomomo. “Now, when you’re sitting down, for the briefest moment, press your leg against his—always by accident of course.” She demonstrated to Miomomo, and the two giggled.

*

Miomomo put on her tabi socks; they were designed to keep her big toe separated from the others, ideally for wearing geta, and other thong footwear.

“Okay Miomomo, you need to learn how to walk in okobo.” Biyōchō held up tall wedge like sandals with thong straps.

“That looks easy; it’s like geta but without the teeth.” Biyōchō laughed and handed them to her.

“Then it should be a breeze for you.” Miomomo put them on and wobbly stood up; in that moment she realized she may have bitten off a little more than she could chew. “Baby steps Miomomo.” She nodded, and gulped; taking small steps forward. Genuinely she got the hang of it after a while, and started to hold her head high. She looked back at Biyōchō:

“I got it Onesan—” She fell flat on her face.

 *

“Okay Miomomo, now this dance involves fans, and fluid motion.” Biyōchō held a fan in each of her hand and past them over her face while moving her head from side to side, before twirling around. “See? Now you try.” Miomomo nodded and took the fans, trying it out for herself. “Posture Miomomo, posture.” She straightened her back and tried again. “Good, good.”

“In school, the sensei said I was a natural.”

“That you are.” She looked over at Miomomo’s sword she had given her, and smirked. “Miomomo.”

“Yes Onesan?”

“You briefly learned about kenjutsu from Gekkō Hayate, correct?”

“Yes, after my chunin exams, which he was the proctor; he admired my sword and recognized it as your fathers… he offered to train me, but then he passed.”