Yumekawa (Bridge Of Dreams)
Komako, enjoy your debut.
Go!
The world awaits you.
Off you go.
Wow!
So fine!
Like a living doll.
Stop pushing.
Today is Komako's big day.
No fighting. And mind your manners!
Look who's talking!
Here please.
Wow!
l must be in heaven!
Maiko Haaaan!!!!
Bon's Maiko Diary
What lovely snaps.
So lovely l uploaded eight.
Naiki again?
Don't maiko live in Gion?
Why the Yumekawa post?
Hmmph, total newbie.
Gion isn't the only geisha spot.
Yumekawa has many geisha dwellings and popular exclusive entertainment spots.
For a "regular" you haven't uploaded any photos inside a geisha house.
Perhaps you've never actually been inside?
Shit, l'll tell Naiki what's what.
Perhaps uploading without permission violates common manners?
Today, l'll tell him off.
"Are you clueless?" Take that!
"Without permission" proves you're an amateur, idiot.
Perhaps a geisha house regular could get permission to upload photos?
Are YOU clueless or what? (LOL)
You wanna flame me, eh?
This site supports geisha and their apprentices.
Unrefined types need not participate.
(angry)
Hook, line, and sinker.
Enough boasting...
You!
Uppity country bumpkin.
Go back to Geisha 101.
(LOLOL)
You want a fight, you got it!
What kind of otaku are you? (hatred)
Manga, you troll. (idiot)
Tell me your name!
That's my man.
A man your age (die) flaming me (die) you got a problem? (die) Use your real name. (die)
Die! Die!
Aren't you just an lnternet troll? (ridicule)
What? (die)
Welcome to our house.
l'm trolling the house. (smug)
Eh? Eh? "Smug"? What the hell!
Hot! What the! Ouch!
l knew it!
l'll show you!
Don't mess with me, asshole!
The SysOp
The SysOp's profile.
Twelve Years Earlier
Kumagaya Agriculture High, Senior Class 5 students, this way.
Mizuno, over here!
Class 3 has a cuter guide, eh?
You figure?
l'm gonna get her digits.
Wait boys! Boys! Boys!
Please listen to our guide, boys!
You listen to the guide.
Next up is free time.
Meet back at Kyoto Station at 5. Have fun!
Where's the guide going?
Boys! Boys!
Boys! This way!
l wanna shop at the mall, you old fart.
No time for that.
l've bookmarked some spots.
We'll see Yasaka Shrine, Rokkakudo, Yuba, this dried tofu factory, and then Arashiyama.
Old fart?
Huh? Huh? Boys!
Boys?
Guys?
Lads?
Mates!
Where are my boys?
l was just here.
Boys!
What troubles you, angel?
Are you crying, angel?
lf you cry l can't help you, right?
Angel, angel.
You're not making sense, angel.
Where... here?
Oh, Yumekawa.
Oh, lost your way?
That's as simple as ABC.
Going straight you'll find Kawaramachi Street, Karasuma Street, Horikawa Street, which all run to Kyoto station.
Well?
Snow White.
And so l fell in love with Kyoto.
Kyoto station?
And so...
going straight you'll find...
And so eight geisha apprentices taught me the streets twelve times.
And so...
going straight you'll find Kawaramachi Street, Karasuma Street...
A city with such lovely, refined women, the shocking experience changed my life.
Good evening.
You're too young to "play" around here.
When you become a man, you can visit me all you like.
Then pick me when you come to a geisha house.
Here you are, love.
Kyoto sweets...
Angel!
Your teacher is coming to collect you.
No-o-o! No-o-o!
l don't wanna go!
You can't make me!
l don't wanna go!
Come on! Now!
Little brat!
From then on, Kyoto... actually, geisha and maiko filled my dreams.
Note: Yakyuu means baseball, while yakyuuken is strip rock-paper-scissors. l wanted to be a man and with my salary play yakyuuken!
But a mere salaryman has no buying power to frequent geisha houses.
But... life smiles on you sometimes.
l got transferred to the Kyoto office!
Much obliged. Much obliged to you all!
Kyoto's Sanzenin temple in Ohara
There, a girl tired by love sits alone
Suzuya Cup Noodles.
l'll miss you. l'll miss you all.
Pathetic.
How so?
Don't you know?
The Kyoto branch is called the "topping factory".
Topping factory?
Made in Tokyo. This too.
This too. All made in Tokyo.
Only this... is from Kyoto.
Never noticed.
They used to supply Western Japan, but now, it's just not efficient.
But our company president was persistent about keeping the Kyoto branch.
So he let them make the toppings.
Basically, a demotion.
Oshita, Kimura. Thanks for everything.
lf you're in Kyoto, look me up.
l'll show you around.
Miyake, please don't cry.
You won't be lonely, will you?
A long distance relationship will never work.
Never know 'til we try.
Never!
l'll be in Kyoto forever.
And you can't control yourself.
l can. l'll see you weekends.
No way!
Don't come. Why would you?
Yakyuuken?
Get real. With you?
Am l so pathetic l gotta play with you?
You gone nuts?
Wanna break up?
Wasn't sure we were dating really.
Gonna cry?
Nope. Never.
lf you do, it's over.
You cried. lt's over.
No!
Never!
No! No! No!
Never! Never! Never!
No! No! No!
Never! Never...wait.
Okay. You can come.
Huh?
From Kyoto, right? Downtown?
Well? Where?
Actually, l...
Where? Near Gion?
Here? Where?
Here.
Mie prefecture.
My address is...
But Mie is next to Kyoto.
Mie is Mie.
l speak the Kyoto dialect.
We get Kyoto TV.
My dad works in Kyoto.
Mie is Mie!
Yeah, Mie! A Mie girl!
l've only been to Kyoto once.
Did we date 'cause l was from Kyoto?
Why? Why did you lie to me?
You think l'd hate you if you weren't from Kyoto?
Kimi, honey.
You silly girl.
lf you weren't from Kyoto, of course, l'd hate you.
Yeah... huh?
Sure, l would.
Minus being from Kyoto, what do you have left?
l endured your black nostrils and nocturnal teeth grinding because l believed you were from Kyoto.
Kyoto and Mie teeth grinding aren't in the same ballpark.
How cruel.
Who's the cruel one?
You were disillusioned thinking l discriminate about a woman's hometown.
And l am disillusioned in discriminating about a woman's hometown.
l've come to my senses.
From this instant, you're a stranger to me.
What are you doing?
From today, l, Onizuka Kimihiko, have transferred from Tokyo.
l'll try with all my heart. Please treat me favorably.
Okay, everyone, play nicely.
Now, back to work!
Mr. Senzaki, boss.
What is it?
ls there, ah... you know, a welcome party planned?
Whose?
Mine.
Shall we then?
Pardon me for pressing you.
So where would this affair take place?
The venue... in Gion or Yumekawa.
Gion!
lf you wanna play yakyuuken... you better do like this.
Out! Safe!
Batter up!
l won! Yoshie-san.
Strip! Strip!
Wait! Do socks count?
Well my boy, you having fun or what?
Whatever!
What?
Pardon me.
Having so much fun that l never knew there was a karaoke box in Gion.
Convenience stores and a disco too.
Listen! Word is the new hostess club has working motor racing models.
And their outfits ride up mighty tight.
Gimme a break.
Am l so pathetic l gotta drink with a racing model in Kyoto?
Just like spring twelve years ago.
Good evening.
Much obliged.
l'm going in alone!
S-t-o-p!
System and charges
Visiting a geisha house is more reasonable than a Ginza club.
Never been to Ginza but here goes.
Welcome.
100,000 yen should do!
Please take your cash.
Thank you.
Stop Onizuka!
But what if we go out after hours...
After hours.
The geisha area has many chic wine bars.
You're losing a button.
What? What?
Tasty. What is this?
Sorry, hit me.
ls your suit okay?
Nothing pricey but at least wear a brand name.
Please show your lD.
Here.
Look out ladies! Go!
Welcome.
Still open, right?
Pardon me. Your good name, sir?
Name? Oh, Onizuka.
Mister Onizuka.
Hadn't heard you were coming.
l just told you.
Are you from Tokyo?
A first timer, eh?
Huh?
Pray pardon but no Mr. First-timers allowed.
Mr. First-timers?
lt's not just us.
All the houses in Kyoto refuse first timers.
l'm Onizuka.
And?
Mr. Onizuka. Not Mr. First-timer.
Oh no.
Nice try, wasn't it?
Oh no!
No first timers allowed.
To make clients feel totally at home all first timers are not allowed.
l forgot. Completely slipped my mind!
That's how it is.
l'm not a suspicious character. And l have money. Look.
l beg you to leave. lnelegant types flashing cash at the door can't appreciate our business.
Pray pardon but first timers are...
Without a proper introduction...
First timers are... you know...
Mr. First-timer, all first timers...
First timers aren't allowed... not allowed
Those are the house rules
Mr. First-timer, all first timers...
First timers aren't allowed
So sad
Outsider
My geisha house dreams are far away
No!
Yakyuuken
Heavens no
l see
Only in my dreams
That's irrational
Can't be helped
But l got money
No!
But in theory and in truth you can't pass.
Scream all you want about it being strange in modern day Japan.
High pitched laughter and high wooden sandals
Good-bye.
Wait.
One of these days... one of these days... sooner or later...
l'll go all out.
One of these days l'll go all out.
And become a regular.
One of these days...
l'll go all out.
And become a regular. And then l'll be welcomed.
So enter and experience your everlastingly dreams.
Someday enter and experience your ephemeral fantasies.
Come here
One of these days... one of these days... sooner or later...
l'll go all out.
One of these days l'll go all out.
And become a regular.
One of these days... one of these days... sooner or later...
l'll go all out.
One of these days...
One of these days... sooner or later...
One of these days...
One of these days... one of these days...
Sooner or later you'll be a regular
No first timers
Capital A, allowed
One of these days... one of these days...
l'll go all out.
One of these days you'll go all out.
Sooner or later... sooner or later...
Why the hell did l come to Kyoto!
So l'll make toppings forever, a topping boy for life?
lf l only knew a regular...
What the... l've seen this geezer before.
What's his name?
Guess l don't...
Of all the pork fillet ramens, the only tasty one is Suzuya.
Right, boss?
Damn straight!?
Our company president!
Suzuya Ramen's Founder Pork Fillet Noodles
You sir, are Suzuki Taikai, president of Suzuya Ramen, right?
Damn straight!
Good day sir!
Please. This way sir.
Take us to Yumekawa.
Don't.
Okay.
And just who are you?
Please, please.
Sorry to be slow in saying... l'm a ten year employee, now at the Kyoto branch office.
The name is Onizuka.
So today, while you're in Kyoto...
No way.
Since l was 17, l've been dying to visit a geisha house.
How lovely.
As you know, "no first timers", right?
With no friends, l... but life smiles on you sometimes.
On my geisha website... your photo appeared and... l thought if l accompanied you.
Enough already.
So we're friends, eh?
Yes.
A company president and his lowly topping factory employee.
Not friends then.
Yes but, my passion for maiko is second to none.
Allow me to accompany you tonight.
l like you boy!
Figured so, idiot?
Huh?
Begging makes me sick.
Trust speaks volumes in geisha society.
Vouching for you makes me responsible. Not only for the costs but your actions.
That so?
Damn straight!
House rules.
Only trustworthy people allowed.
Got it?
Yes. How can l get you to trust me?
Simple.
Show me results.
Enough with the passion and pain. Anybody can do that.
Where'd...
Here. And then?
Show results, make me rich and you can come all you like.
President Suzuki, welcome.
We're...
Not together!
One of these days...
Shut up. l get it!
Enough already!
Leave! Now!
Leave... shit.
Results you want?
Results you'll get!
Stop screwing around!
Results! Results! We need results!
Listen up.
Know what the Tokyo office calls you?
The topping factory.
Doesn't that vex you?
Toppings are the stars of instant noodles.
This is the "star" factory.
That's a tasty thought.
Let's create taste.
A Kyoto original brand!
Let's show results!
Go ahead.
Huh? What? What?
What?
A pitch, right?
Pitch?
Our monthly meeting...
Huh? Well...
Let's check the word on the street.
Pardon me. Pardon me.
l'm taking a survey. What do you think of instant noodles lately?
With so many types, it's confusing.
Not the same as real ramen.
As long as they're tasty, any brand is fine.
Too fatting. Not for me.
l'm busy.
Udon is better.
Pork based soy is best.
Maiko are okay but the new trainees have naive wisdom.
With good ingredients, no toppings are needed.
Simple is best. Upload.
This won't get results!
Simple is?
So, no toppings.
You messing with us?
Nope.
Hell of an idea but...
Let's keep the toppings.
Otherwise, we'll lose our jobs.
Toppings you want... toppings you get!
See!
Sold separately of course.
Our customers can buy the toppings they like.
Onions for the dieting mother.
"The works" for the hard-working father.
What about the cost?
No worries.
The retail price for noodles is 100 yen.
Onions and bamboo shoots... 10 yen.
Three pork fillets cost 70 yen.
Totaling out at 190.
The same as our current pork fillet noodles.
Really?
Get a taste of this!
Try it.
This?
What the heck! Damn delicious.
Goes with beer too.
You said it. They'll sell on their own.
Noodles where the toppings are the stars.
Well put!
What should we call it?
You pick the toppings to meet your needs. We'll call it...
"Your Noodles".
Our Noodles.
No, Your Noodles.
My Noodles.
Your Noodles.
-My Own... -Enough! Give it a rest!
Had enough, right?
How about it, boss?
Perfect score! Let's make a sample to show to headquarters.
The advent of Kyoto made cup noodles!
Gonna remove the beans?
l will.
Sample it please.
Tasty.
Too strong. Try again!
Hi... Fujiko here.
How are you?
Listen, l'm sorry about before.
l... l can't get you off my mind, Kimi.
Hello...
l'm gonna jump unless you answer.
No noodles.
Check the front.
Okay.
Eggs coming through! Look out!
Hello? Huh? Sorry. Wrong number.
So how are you?
That'll do!
Kimihiko
l can't reduce the quality of the pork fillet!
Like talking to brick wall!
Hello? Oh sorry, wrong number.
Who?
Wrong number.
l see.
Done.
Great!
No good.
Perfect!
With Suzuya Ramen
Your Noodles Get the Works.
Right, boss?
Damn straight!
Your Noodles, now on sale.
The ones you choose! The ones you create!
Suzuya Ramen's latest product: Your Noodles.
Your Noodles, Your Noodles.
Thank you.
Your Noodles... your freedom.
All the fixings for 300 yen.
This customer had onion, bamboo shoots, sprouts, egg, and pork fillets.
Noodles and soup...100 yen, right?
Onions 20 yen, right?
Onions and bamboo... 10 yen.
Onions with bamboo... 10 yen.
No! Together they're 20 yen!
Onions 20 yen.
Onions 10, bamboo 10, sprouts 30!
10, 10, 30, 50, 50, 100 yen.
Totaling 10,150 yen.
What!
Ten million units sold!
The results are in!
The food and of course the geisha are all first class.
Yakyuuken too?
Damn straight!
What a promising night!
lf l was a girl, l'd be your mistress!
Welcome.
Onizuka debuts today.
That's me.
Please treat me favorably.
Please.
Sir, l hate to tell you but go to the hospital.
Yes?
Been tending to shoes for 40 years.
l can read a person's health based on his shoes.
Hey... don't give me bad news.
This is my reward for no rest.
As l thought.
A wreck from stress and no sleep.
l'll say no more. See a doctor.
l know a good one.
You've got an ulcer.
Urethral stones, oh... and herpes too.
A wreck from stress and no sleep.
Too much work.
Emergency surgery.
No-o-o!
The SysOp is out sick.
Can l help you?
Excuse me... do geisha live here?
They entertain in this "ochaya" or tea house.
l wanna be a maiko.
How old are you?
l'm 18.
25 or...
No.
Lend an ear ladies.
We have a new trainee.
Kindly introduce yourself.
Osawa Fujiko. Age 24.
l'll try my best.
Graciously treat me...
Too formal.
We're your elder sisters and family.
Say it in a cuter fashion.
Elder sisters? You look younger than me.
Elder sisters can be younger too.
And please call me Mother.
Elder sister Komako?
Yes.
My daughter.
Charmed.
How cute.
Sister... Komako.
Elder sister Komako.
You must be polite to your superiors.
A total downer but that's how it is done.
Sorry, elder sister Komako, how old are you?
l'm 19.
The same as my sis.
The boatman in the ship whispers, hail, hail...
My stars, if it isn't Komako?
Good day, sir.
You've become a lady.
With such flattery, pick me when you visit.
You got me. Until next time.
Much obliged.
Komako, what's this?
A "cane"?.
l'm so happy.
l "cane" still make you smile.
The Chairman of Nishiin.
Sometimes he visits me.
You "do it" with that slobbery geezer?
Do it?
You've got the wrong impression.
But...
We're not sex industry girls.
Our patrons eat delicious food, drink, sing, and dance. And that's where it ends.
Our behavior is most proper unlike ordinary high schoolers.
What? Really.
Were you planning on being with your gentlemen?
l was prepared... to go all out.
We've arrived.
Yumeka Maiko School During the training period, you'll study dance, shamisen, and singing.
As well as manners, tea ceremony, and flower arrangement.
-Good morning. -Morning.
When you return to the okiya, a production company for geisha and their apprentices.
When you get home, you'll do cleaning,
laundry, cooking, and run errands and assist your elders...
learning kimono fitting and make-up.
See you later.
Oh and the Kyoto dialect is different from our "Hanamachi" speech.
Learn it too.
The elder girls return from entertaining at midnight.
Having a bath after them puts you in bed around 2 AM l guess.
Lessons start every morning at 10 AM.
No vacation during training so...
Much obliged, Mother.
You've got an ulcer.
Too much work.
Emergency surgery.
No-o-o!
Visit us again!
Not on your life!
The food and of course the geisha are all first class.
You said that last time.
Welcome.
You okay?
Yes. A little light on my feet but once we get started...
Revenge time!
lndeed!
This way, Mr. Onizuka.
Another scorcher today.
Welcome.
Please.
After you.
Sit my boy.
Nice one son!
l wasn't... trying to...
Please. Sit and relax.
First, we celebrate your recovery.
What's wrong?
l gotta leave!
lt hasn't started.
lf it starts, it will end, right?
Perhaps.
And once it does, how will l take it?
How am l taking it?
You're sitting.
Sitting!?
Standing.
l'm standing!
Oh no! No!
Hey! Relax!
The most popular geisha in Kyoto are coming soon.
Coming means they'll eventually leave, right?
Welcome. l'm Koume.
Oh no!
Don't you like her?
No, l do.
You're one queer cuss.
Am l that scary?
Do... do... do you remember me?
Oh, the lost field trip school boy.
Wow! How come you remember?
Ladies in our line of work never forget a face.
We make it a point.
But look at you, all grown up.
And you've become quite a lady.
l was a maiko back then.
l changed my lapel years ago.
Changed your lapel?
A maiko becoming a geisha. She's become a real woman.
Wow! Real women are so fine.
My apologies. Mamefuku who you requested had a prior engagement.
lnstead...
You don't say.
Komako here.
Miss... miss... Ko-ko-komako.
Yes, yes, yes.
l believe we have met before.
You took my photo when l debuted.
That l did. More than one!
How come they remember me?
Proof of their top abilities. Right?
Well said. Here now.
l'm still recuperating, so l'll drink this.
What's inside?
Simple coarse tea.
"The Gion Ballad"
The clouded moon is visible in Higashiyama.
Every night the signal fire burns.
Sit down.
Darling.
My bad. l'm a little wasted.
A water nymph!
So sorry.
Don't worry. l'll pay for it.
l will. l will.
As you were boys.
Batter up ladies!
Are you okay?
So sorry.
Stop!
Hey, that was Naito Kiichiro, the pro baseball player.
Don't care who he is.
He's having way more fun than us.
Playing yakyuuken, eh?
Yes.
Something wrong with pro ballers playing yakyuuken?
l knew it. Naito from the Kobe Grasshoppers.
Hi! Mamefuku!
Pray pardon Mr. Suzuki, we're just wrapping up.
That's the most popular girl.
Mamefuku.
Come on girl, we're just getting started.
Wanna join in Mr. SysOp?
No. You're bothering them.
Got nine new maiko.
Gonna bat a home run with them all.
Good evening.
Boss! Boss!
Regrettably we should merge with...
Availing to your kind offer...
SysOp?
Snooze you lose.
What's with that?
Uploading photos on his homepage, this idiot...
Nai-to... Ki-ichi-ro.
Nai... Ki-ichi-ro.
Nai-ki.
NAlKl
So you're Naiki?
You're mates?
This criminal flames my website.
You have a homepage?
Yeah, well...
This otaku grosses me out... taking sneak photos of geisha and their apprentices.
Look at his shit-eating grin.
Watch out. He's taking sneak photos today.
l ain't grinning!
Pick better customers, Komako.
Attending to this uncouth hick will ruin your reputation.
Boy!
Boy?
Rule No. 1 to geisha house fun...
Get richer if you wanna have fun.
There are no regulars or first timers.
lf you can afford it, you can do anything.
Bare tits! Boss! Bare tits! Boss!
Bare boss! Bare boss!
Lower your voice!
Did you push me?
Nope.
How'd last night go?
-Die! -What?
What? What?
Wait. Your rival is a celebrity.
You can't compete.
800 million yen a year, Kobe's strong arm.
Next season's MVP. Year round batter. Bare tits!
What does that matter?
Die!
Bring it on!
Die!
What're you gawkin' at?
Oh Fujiko, are you all better?
Yes.
Great news.
Much obliged.
Glad to hear it.
You're still recovering. Take the day off.
l'd like to make up for the time l missed.
Whose table tonight?
Suzuya Ramen's Mr. Onizuka.
Lately, he often requests me.
Care to join?
You debut soon and he's nice.
You can learn with ease.
l don't wanna go yet.
Huh?
l have a dance test tomorrow so l'll pass.
Fujiko.
Yes?
The debut signs arrived.
Komafuji?
Your name.
With my Koma making it Komafuji.
Now everyone in Yumekawa will know we are sisters.
Elder sister.
Your blunders are my responsibility.
Make me proud.
Understood.
lnside the thicket that goes for miles everyone takes a peek.
With a gold headband and kimono sleeve cord, the hero approaches.
The captured beast is...
a tiger, tiger, tiger
l won!
What fun!
100 times better than Disneyland!
Onizuka, you're easy to please.
Let's get on a first name basis. Call me Kimi.
Kimi, fancy some tea?
Hear that? Did everyone hear that?
Kimi is Koma's close friend!
Oh, don't be like that.
Onizuka, what's happened?
Oh, nothing. Nothing.
So Koume...
Yes?
The baseball dork been around?
Naito?
Him.
Yes, he has. Last night with Mamefuku.
Sister don't.
Why not? We should celebrate.
Celebrate?
He's going to be her "husband".
l spent too much on your kimonos.
That's your job as a husband.
Quite some job.
He asked the house mother for a special relationship.
Simply put... a sponsor.
Buying her kimonos and sashes, taking her to kabuki, buying up tickets for her performances.
Looking after her every need expresses his status as a man. Proof of his wealth as a man.
With the recession and all, most girls have multiple sponsors. One for kimonos, one for sashes.
Having only one like Mr. Naito is...
a bit of news around here.
Kimi, Kimihiko?
Do you envy him?
What's there to envy?
Liar. You look mortified.
Mortified
Koma, do you have a husband?
You're scaring me.
l've made up my mind!
l'll be your husband!
Sorry to interrupt your nice batting.
Assistant Manager Onizuka.
What is it?
Come to work. You're out of vacation days.
Don't "ah" me.
l'm not here alone.
Oh, President. Thanks for coming.
Look at these. Geisha house payments.
Sorry. That's quite a stack.
Yes, quite a stack.
Didn't l mention this to you, Onizuka?
The charges for your fun come to me every month because l introduced you.
No wonder. l've never paid.
lt ain't funny!
Places like that are a reward maybe twice a month for hard work.
But not every night.
Bad boy!
l'm bankrupt, no thanks to you.