Satsu Sakamoto Character Analysis in Memoirs of a Geisha

Sayuri’s beloved older sister. Since Satsu is not as pretty or as clever as Sayuri, Mr. Tanaka sells her to a brothel instead of an okiya. Satsu despises life as a prostitute, so she runs away to her home village where she reunites with her boyfriend. Sayuri never learns where her life leads her.

Satsu Sakamoto Quotes in Memoirs of a Geisha

The Memoirs of a Geisha quotes below are all either spoken by Satsu Sakamoto or refer to Satsu Sakamoto. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

Destiny vs. Self-Determination Theme Icon

). Note: all page numbers and citation info for the quotes below refer to the Vintage edition of Memoirs of a Geisha published in 1999.

I found myself wondering if my sister was standing before some other cruel woman, in another house somewhere in this horrible city. And I had a sudden image in my mind of my poor, sick mother propping herself on one elbow upon her futon and looking around to see where we had gone. I didn't want Mother to see me crying, but the tears pooled in my eyes before I could think of how to stop them.

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Page Number and Citation: 43

Explanation and Analysis:

Satsu Sakamoto Character Timeline in Memoirs of a Geisha

The timeline below shows where the character Satsu Sakamoto appears in Memoirs of a Geisha. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...her father acted slowly and methodically in everything he did. Sayuri says that her sister Satsu, who is six years older than her, took after their father. Satsu had a slowness... (full context)

Tradition, Ritual, and Gender Theme Icon

...mind off her troubles. Returning home from the swim, she sees the “Sugi boy” fondling Satsu against a tree on the path to the house. Unsure of what they’re doing, Chiyo... (full context)

...sister so that she can make a tea for their mother. Chiyo responds that since Satsu isn’t very good at making tea, Chiyo will make the tea herself. Mr. Tanaka asks... (full context)

...and her father had just been talking about her. Mr. Tanaka says that Chiyo and Satsu should come to his house the following day for dinner and to meet his daughter,... (full context)

The next day, Satsu and Chiyo meet Mr. Tanaka at the center of the village and climb into his... (full context)

Ms. Fidget then tells a confused but obedient Satsu to undress completely. Ms. Fidget tries to put her hand between Satsu’s legs. Satsu resists,... (full context)

...Mr. Tanaka’s family eats in one meal. After dinner, Mr. Tanaka leaves the house. While Satsu and Kuniko’s mother wash the dishes and talk, Kuniko tells Chiyo to come with her.... (full context)

...assistant comes running up the path. He tells her that Mr. Tanaka wants her and Satsu to come down to the village immediately. Chiyo runs home and tells her sister and... (full context)

...girls smell like fish. He then takes out a comb and starts vigorously tearing through Satsu’s messy hair, causing her to cry from the pain. Feeling confused and scared, Chiyo blames... (full context)

The rickshaw stops and Mr. Bekku instructs Chiyo to get out. When Satsu tries to get out as well, Mr. Bekku pushes her back into the rickshaw, saying... (full context)

...or three months. Until then, she’ll work as a maid. Chiyo finds herself wondering if Satsu is also standing in front of an ugly woman right now. This thought about Satsu... (full context)

...hoping that Mother will send her to geisha school – where she hopes to find Satsu training to be a geisha. Chiyo thinks that if she finds Satsu, then the two... (full context)

...yesterday smelling just as bad as Chiyo. Chiyo pleads with Hatsumomo to tell her what Satsu said, but Hatsumomo responds that Chiyo must first earn the information. When Chiyo says that... (full context)

At school, Pumpkin takes Chiyo to the classes. Chiyo looks around for Satsu but doesn’t find her. In the first class of the day, Chiyo watches as the... (full context)

...Hatsumomo will end up if she gets what she deserves. Chiyo wants to look for Satsu at the address but, as part of her punishment, she can’t leave the okiya for... (full context)

...to give Hatsumomo her shamisen (instrument). Chiyo decides that this is her chance to see Satsu. Not telling the maid about the punishment, Chiyo goes to do the errand. Chiyo brings... (full context)

Soon after Chiyo finds the jorou-ya and steps inside, Satsu comes down the stairs. Her lips are painted a garish red and her skin is... (full context)

...sister, and says that she knows Chiyo must have made plans to run away with Satsu. To Chiyo’s surprise, Hatsumomo then gives her some money and says that she hopes their... (full context)

...awake for the next few nights wondering how she will escape the okiya to meet Satsu. On the day before Chiyo and Satsu plan to run away, Chiyo washes the wood... (full context)

...her as if she isn’t even there. All that winter, she wonders what happened to Satsu and if her mother and father are still alive. During this time, Chiyo’s only comfort... (full context)

...turn her suffering into beauty. At the end of the letter, he briefly mentions that Satsu arrived in Yoroido last winter and immediately ran off with the Sugi boy. (full context)

...into the station. She remembers how the last time she boarded a train was with Satsu. Sayuri feel ashamed that, for the last few years, she has tried to stop herself... (full context)

...safety of her friends. She also comes to the realization that she might never see Satsu again. Sayuri had always believed that their paths would cross, but now with the chaos... (full context)