Chiyo Sakamoto/Sayuri nitta, "I want a life that is mine!"
Perhaps the most important character in the story, Chiyo Sakamoto evolves into Kyoto's most celebrated geisha, Sayuri Nitta as she narrates her life throughout this tale. Once a a girl from a poor, small, fishing villiage faces much heart break only to be sold into practical slavery, given a life that is anything but peaceful.
Mameha
Mameha is Sayuri's big sister and gives her the name, "Sayuri". She's rivalled Hatsumomo since she was a young Meiko herself and once lived in the same Okiya as Sayuri, but she bought her independance back, something most Geisha couldn't do in a life time.
Pumpkin, "A long time ago you took something from me, the only thing i TRULY WANTED, WELL NOW YOU KNOW HOW IT FEELS."
Though an innocent child Pumpkin was changed by the war and the tragedies of being a Meiko under Hatsumomo's cruel wing. Once a best friend to Sayuri, now an enemy intent on revenge over the so-called friend, adopted by mother (her biggest wish) and selling her Mizuage first, becoming much more successful in an unreasonably short amount of time. The once beautiful and honorable young geisha, is now a chesterfield smoking streetwalker in a kimono, with an american accent and a cold heart soon plotting to ruin Sayuri's plans to tear her from she wanted most, The Chairman.
Hatsumomo, "Sayuri? A name as sweet as she, though i'M AFRAID NOWADAYS EVEN A CHAMBERMAID CAN CALL HERSELF A GEISHA."
Despite having perhaps the most charming looks in Kyoto, she's as vile as a snake, described by Sayuri as a vicious tigress. Just as she rivals Mameha, she adopts Pumpkin to rival Sayuri, and despite never liking the gracious young Geisha, she develops intense hatred for her after telling mother about her secret affair with her boyfriend (something a geisha may never have.) Koichi. One day she decides to personally congratulate Sayuri and starts to burn the handkerchief given to her by the chairman when she was young, but is attacked, after the brawl she throws gas lamps to the ground setting fire to the Okiya, never to be heard of from then.
Chairman Iwamura, "None of us find as much happiness in this life as we should."
Perhaps one of the most beloved characters, the Chairman is the kind hearted man who bought a weeping young girl a cup of sweet ice on a fateful day, giving her the inspiration to become a geisha. Chairman Iwamura runs perhaps one of the most famous electric companies in japan along side, Nobu a man to which he owes his life which is why when seeing his savior has a chance at happiness, stands silent about his love for Sayuri.
Doctor Crab
Though Dr.Crab isn't the most important character he certainly contributes the most to sayuri when he buys her Mizuage for record price, making her one of the most celebrated geisha in Kyoto.
Nobu, "Can't you see I want you for myself? You have ruined me! Before i met you I was a disciplined man!"
Nobu plays a rather large role in the story when he is introduced to Sayuri, and though he detests geisha he finds himself in aw over the blue-eyed beauty, falling in desperate love for her. He's a war hero and business partner to the chairman of Imawura electric.
Satsu, "My mother always said my sister Satsu was like wood, as rooted to the earth as a sakura tree. . ."
Though Satsu Sakamoto is an extremely minor character, she is mentioned multiple times throughout the story. Satsu is Chiyo (Sayuri's) sister whom was separated from her long before her fame. Though said to be a geisha she was sold to a brothel in the red-light districts of Kyoto, never to be heard of again after running away forever.