"We lead our lives like water flowing down a hill, going more or less in one direction until we splash into something that forces us to find a new course. If I'd never met Mr. Tanaka, my life would have been a simple stream flowing from our tipsy house to the ocean. Mr. Tanaka changed all that when he sent me out into the world."

-Chiyo, Memoir of a Geisha

These are my favorite quotes I lived by until this day. It is undeniable that we live our day to day life almost the same and predictable- that's what planners are used for. And there are circumstances that are difficult to change, to stop, or to begin. It takes a strong current or force to hit us before we start to truly shift our direction.

Synopsis

This book talks strongly about fate and destiny. Chiyo was just a young child from the country side Yoroido, Japan, when she was sold to become a geisha. In her early days in the okiya (a place where geisha lives), she had tried to resist her fate many times by running away but then always ends up going back. Finally accepting her fate to become a geisha, she worked so hard by attending trainings and classes relating to etiquettes, the proper way of pouring tea, and learning to play shamisen. But even then, hardship still found away around Chiyo through her rival geisha.

This story transported me right into the fascinating world of Japanese Geishas. Not many people knew, but I love to wear kimonos and pretend like I'm living in a traditional temple. Reading this book enhanced my imagination as I've learned more about the history and culture of Japan.

After reading this novel, I've learned that there's a movie adaptation of this book so Im considering to watch it too.

That's it for today's blog. See you in my next one!

Sending some love and light

With love, Jane