Sumei

Good afternoon, and welcome to this place we call home.

Please come in and have a seat in our sitting-room.

My name is Sumei. [Sue-Mae] I am the official guest greeter. As you can see, I am a Geisha Girl. Now wait! Before you think evil of me; contrary to Western beliefs, Geisha Girls are NOT prostitutes. We are artistic entertainers. However, we are very special entertainers.

From very early childhood, we begin our education. I myself, started at age 9. I was orphaned and sold at auction to a Geisha master who resided in the Gion district of Kyoto. That district is home to many Geisha masters. They specialize in the traditional forms of Geisha teachings.
I became one of many "Maiko" [initiate] living in a dorm type setting. I had to wear the very heavy, traditional white face make-up of the "Maiko" and a simple robe.

I spent many hours a day learning to master the fine arts of; social graces, music, dance, art, clever conversation, and the cunning seduction of wealthy patrons.

I spent the second 9 years of my life, learning how to act and behave as a Geisha.

Then, one day, as fate would have it, I was singing and dancing at one of our local teahouses. A very wealthy Westerner, from the United States, saw me, and wanted me to return to America with him. I told him, very politely and demurely, he would have to speak to my Geisha master of such matters. Where upon, my chaperone, my would-be American patron and I, departed to speak to my Geisha master.

My Geisha master and would-be patron, spoke for many hours. Apparently they decided on a fair price and I was told to pack my belongings and leave with my American patron.

With a heavy heart, I began to pack my meager belongings. All the while, dreading to leave the security of my masters home and the friendships I had formed over the years. I said goodbye to my friends and departed with my new master. My mind was filled with concern. I knew nothing of the outside world, nor what my new master would expect of me.

My new master, John, asked me to address him by his given name, John. He also told me I was not to refer to him as, "my master." He told me I was a free woman and now able to make my own choices in life. I was baffled and somewhat frightened. What did all of this mean?

John took me to his hotel and got me a room. All to myself. He told me he would call for me in about an hour. He wanted to take me shopping to buy a new wardrobe.Sometime later there was a knock at my door. It was John and Madam Nakamora. Madam Nakamora owned the ladies boutique in the hotel lobby. Madam Nakamora treated me like a princess. Maybe more like a mother. The mother I had never known. The entire affair took hours to complete. I had clothes for breakfast, clothes for lunch, clothes for tea, clothes for dinner. clothes for disco, and clothes for bed. I never dreamed clothes shopping could be so exhausting. I thanked both Madam Nakamora and John for their kindness and patience.
I left Madam Nakamora's wearing one of my dinner outfits, my first western styled clothing. I must admit, it was quite difficult learning to walk in high heels. John, then escorted me to dinner.

Finally, at dinner, John told me why he had "bought" me. It seems, I reminded him of his teenage daughter who had recently died. He told me, I could live with he and his wife for as long as I desired. I would be free to come and go, or do whatever I wanted.

Well, to make a much longer story short, I was warmly welcomed into John's family. John's wife, Natalie, just adored me and arranged a dinner party, so that I might meet their friends and business associates.

That's when I met Ruby. We really "hit-it-off." Ruby asked me if I would like to come to work for her. Well the rest is history. I'll save it for another time.