Memoirs of a Geisha cover

creative work

Memoirs of A Geisha -Chapter 27.5

As Hatsumomo is now gone, I can never seem to remember that her existence is not her anymore. Being accustomed to having Hatsumomo torment us, it took us a long while to release the tension of her existence on us. I was busy with engagement, meeting General Tottori from time to time, and perform dance. I was so tired spending each day entertaining others. Each day go by and nothing has changed. The General had sent many supplies of tea, sugar, cosmetics, chocolate, and other scarce merchandise during the war time. He found doctors for use when we were sick. He was able to provide what we need to survive during those days. Though I did not get lavishing gifts of jewels or kimonos, he provides use with thing that the other danna can give during war time. We were grateful for what he gives us. Our okiya prosper much through the goods given to us.

Mother was pleased by the profits we get from my danna Mother did not need to worry much through the war time with General Tottori backing us up. Her silk sack of tobacco was always full. Mother concern about me more, since she did not want to lose me or prevent our current state to plummet. The okiya depended mostly on me to profit. Pumpkin, still lost without Hatsumomo, also brings money in the okiya, but she did not earn as much as I do. My relationship with Pumpkin did not change. She still does not look at me in the eye and giving me the respect like what she gives to Mother.

Time had passed by smoothly. I have not seen Nobu ever since that meeting after he shut the door in front of me. Nobu was furious that I did not choose him to be my danna. Mameha said that Nobu and I have an en, but after that I no longer believe that we have an en. The Iwamaru Company had never asked for my service after that. I wonder if I would be able to meet the Chairman ever again. I doubt I might be able to, since that incident. I would never be able to Nobu nor would I ever see the Chairman again. I always imagine General Tottori as the Chairman because he had the same kind of dignity. I can not get the image of the Chairman out of my mind. Though I longed for him to notice me, he never came and never paid any attention to me. Maybe he had forgotten the little girl, which he had given coins to before he went to the theatre. I can not meet him ever again because that fate was not meant to be similar to my fate to be with Nobu.

We never thought that the war would last long. The war went on and Gion went well in business. Much was gained since the General was my danna. We had no worries about anything. I kept continuing with my arrangement to entertain my guest. Even though the years of Depression draw near, those who live Gion was not affected much. Now after all these years, I can still remember the day that was about to come. Those days were etched in my mind clearly that I can never forget.

Personal Essay

Art to Freedom

I am finally free and bound by nothing. So many colors and so many shapes that make the beauty of this world imprinted into the wide sketching paper. It draws out beauty the eyes of people. Each mark of the HB pencil etched into the paper shows my heart to the world.

When I was young, my mom brought home a book of paintings. It was a seaweed green covered book dull to the eyes, but insides were the paintings of various artists in vibrant and vivid colors. Landscape after landscape and still-life interested me. As a first generation Asian American, my parents wanted me to work on my intellect. They thought mostly about the future of my brothers and me. Being the only daughter in the family, I had to take on the responsibility of learning how to do housekeeping and competing with my brothers, whose grades were better than mine.

My parents’ old-fashioned view was that a girl must know how to clean, cook, and be obedient to her parents. I managed some of those chores to please my parents. Constantly compared to my brothers, I grew up trying to follow their footsteps.

I never thought of art as a skill of academics until my brother told me about it. Not long before the end of my freshmen year, my brother and I were sitting in the living room. Our dad had already commented about both our report cards and told us to do better next time. Dad went to work and my brother and I were looking at each other’s report card. Afterwards my brother said to me after looking at my quarterly grades, “Wendy, why don’t you take Studio because you have been always good at art since third grade? You can learn more ways to improve your drawing skill.” My brother helped me realize my interest in art. Not everything I do needs to be by the books, but also by what I experience and try out.

Stepping into the art room for the first time in high school fascinated me. The room itself was like an enormous painting. The walls were painted, reproducing different artists’ works. My art teacher told us in class that, “If you could draw a circle, triangle, and a square then you can paint.” Art itself shows me not to look at the world though the eyes of others, but to observe it with my own. Art lets me experience different things to test out what is right for my own style and follow my own trend. It gave life to my own imagination and my own true thoughts. For once, I am walking on my two feet knowing that the path I chose is my very own.

The different artists that created the art world inspired me. Leonardo da Vinci inspires me. The Mona Lisa inspires me. It stares at me from every corner of the room. It is so real, yet it is two dimensional. It is as if the real Mona Lisa is watching us through the painting. It makes me want to feel reality coming from a flat surface, popping out as if there is actually life to it. It is alive and moving yet not moving at all.

I was once the same as a painting. I wanted to free myself of my brother’s shadow. I want to become different. Like a painting, I am popping out from the normal view of others as a painting pops out from perspective views of the audience.

Intro

Hi, first time doing this and still clueless. Nice to meet you or whoever you are. My name is Wendy and that is all I am going to tell you.