Characters
Shinsuke
Seller of chijimi (cotton crepe) who has come from the countryside to Edo on business. Living alone in Echigo with his mother, he is a serious, pure and single-minded youth. He initially lends a small amount of money to the geisha Miyokichi, who he secretly adores. When she praises him, he becomes excited and makes a huge sacrifice to gather an even larger amount for her.
Miyokichi
A geisha in Edo’s Fukugawa district known for her masculine straightforwardness. She is beautiful and popular, but her free-mindedness and lack of concern about the future causes trouble for those around her. She is struggling financially under heavy debt, due partly to the bad influence of her ill-tempered lover Sanji. Unable to pay for her new festival kimono, she unthinkingly asks Shinsuke for a large sum.
Sanji
A boatman and Miyokichi’s lover. He is a playboy and gambler and is constantly pestering Miyokichi for money.
Uoso
The owner of a large fish shop in Fukagawa and one of Shinsuke’s clients. He is still vigorous despite his ripe old age. He has ordered the traditional red 60th-birthday outfit and wants eagerly to wear it for the festival. He persuades Shinsuke to stay an extra day to celebrate, a decision that leads ultimately to tragedy.
Fujioka Keijuro
Miyokichi’s patron and a high-ranking samurai. He is large-hearted and discerning. He realizes that Miyokichi has too much pride to rely on others and decides to break off their relationship by sending a parting gift of 100 ryo.
Oyoshi
Miyokichi’s mother. She has forced her daughter to work as a geisha and leads an indulgent life on the resulting earnings.
