Stereotypes In The Film 'Memoirs Of A Geisha'

Since the mighty land of the sun opened their country to foreign eyes their women have been a popular subject of interest. With striking brown eyes, jet black hair their foreign customs have piqued the attention of the western gaze. Yet, with their fascination of them came negativity. Japanese women have been stereotyped to be submissive, weak, and respectful. While watching the film “Memoirs of a Geisha,” I found that all of these stereotypes were broken by the women in the film. Even in a movie taking place during pre-World War II to the American occupation, the women still defy theses labels.
The main character of the movie is Chiyo, who is later known as Sayuri, shatters many stereotype about Japanese women. She is a feminist icon for many; when faced with an oppressive society she fights back in the best way she can. It is not just Chiyo who shatters stereotypes but also Mameha and Hatsumomo do as well. They all take matters into their own hands. As the girls attempt to move up the social ladder they can always see the glass ceiling above her heads.
First I looked at the structure of their society. Men are the leaders in both Japan and America. In this era both nationalities women use their relationships with men to elevate their own status. Japan is

known for its patriarchal society in which men are at the top. Women are respected by other women only when their status is above the other. But if a man is present he has the most power in the room.
Throughout the movie women are not seen in positions of power often. The teacher at the geisha school that Pumpkin and, for a short period Chiyo, attend has a female teacher. Though that can be rationalized by the fact that geishas are females. It only makes sense for the teacher to be a woman as well. The women who the run the okiya are in powerful positions to Chiyo, Hatsumomo and Pumpkin. They provide them with food, a room to stay in and clothes to wear. The leader of the house, referred to as mother, has paid for their geisha school as well.
In many ways Chiyo is a rebel, yet in others she does fit into the national character of Japan. She fits into the idea that Japanese are respectful. When refereeing to Mameha, her teacher for her geisha training, she calls her honorable big sister. I assume that would translate into ‘onea-san,’ if not ‘onea-sama,’ in Japanese. Both names show that there is a great deal of respect given to Mameha by Chiyo. She continues to referrer to many of the people in her life with honorifics. When meeting Noubu for tea she adds the honorific san to his name. Which is something that Mameha or Chairman fail to do.
Later on in the film Hatsumomo is heard using honorifics as well. She refers to the owner of the house as Okaa-san; the formal way of saying mother in Japanese. Though her reason for saying it is more to flatter to her than to actually be genuinely respectful. This is something that mother is aware of while Hatsumomo speaks. Hatsumomo continues to be disrespectful to most people she comes across. She hits Pumpkin for talking to Chiyo after it is announced that she will begin her geisha training again. Begins to spread rumors about Chiyo to other clients and even goes so far as to shame her in public with rude and condescending remarks. The two even engage in a fight in Chiyo’s bedroom one evening.
The elder geisha’s attitude towards others also shows the audience that Japanese women are not submissive.

Hatsumomo lashes out both verbally and physically when she is upset. She disrespects Mameha, a geisha who is above her in status. Unlike, the main character, she is bitter, resentful and manipulative. She also breaks one of the key stereotypes about Japanese society. When addressing the owner of the house she is disrespectful. She yells, throws a fit and even attempts to burn the house down. In their society respect for your elders is extremely important, yet the senior members of the house, act as though her attitude is normal. The owner of the house recognizes that she is rude and simply puts up with

it.
Chiyo gives Mameha a great deal of power over her. When asked to cut her leg by Mameha, Chiyo agrees to do so trusting her judgement. As a famous geisha she is an influential woman among business men. The limitation of her power among men is shown when the Baron invites Chiyo to come to his cherry blossom viewing party. Mameha tells him that because she cannot attend the event Chiyo will not be able to go either. The Baron whispers to her sternly that he expects Chiyo to be there and Mameha complies.
Mameha does inforce the stereotype of women being submissive. When challenged by the Baron for Chiyo to go to the party by herself she gives in. In the scene her body language changes greatly. When she is refusing her tone is absolute and she stands tall against the Baron. But when he asserts his desire for Chiyo to go Mameha loses her confidence and shrinks within herself. She even asks Chiyo if she really wants to go. The way she asks her is as if she is willing to put herself on the line for her. Mameha is willing to lie if Chiyo is not comfortable going on her own. There is fear in her voice for both Chiyo and herself. She fears that if Chiyo goes something may happen to her. But also fears what will happen to her relationship with the Baron should she refuse the offer and lie to him.
Chiyo breaks the stereotype of Japanese women being weak throughout the entire film. She deals with losing her parents in death and never seeing her sister again. Knowing that she has no family this does not make her bitter. Years later as an older teenager she is seen smiling and enjoying her life. As a geisha Chiyo, now Sayuri, is nearly raped by one of her clients. Though she is terrified and shocked by the event she continues to look to the future for a better life.
No matter how she is beaten down by either society or others around her she remains strong.