<P> Memoirs of a Geisha is a 2005 American epic drama film based on the novel of the same name by Arthur Golden , produced by Steven Spielberg 's Amblin Entertainment and Spyglass Entertainment and by Douglas Wick 's Red Wagon Productions . Directed by Rob Marshall , the film was released in the United States on December 9 , 2005 by Columbia Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures ; the latter was given studio credit only . It stars Ziyi Zhang , Ken Watanabe , Gong Li , Michelle Yeoh , Youki Kudoh , Suzuka Ohgo , and Samantha Futerman . Production took place in southern and northern California and in several locations in Kyoto , including the Kiyomizu temple and the Fushimi Inari shrine . The film tells the story of a young Japanese girl , Chiyo Sakamoto , who is sold by her impoverished family to a geisha house called an okiya . Chiyo is eventually transformed into a geisha and renamed `` Sayuri '' , and becomes one of the most celebrated geisha of her time . But with this success , Sayuri also learns the secrets and sacrifices of the geisha lifestyle . </P>
<P> Memoirs of a Geisha is a 2005 American epic drama film based on the novel of the same name by Arthur Golden , produced by Steven Spielberg 's Amblin Entertainment and Spyglass Entertainment and by Douglas Wick 's Red Wagon Productions . Directed by Rob Marshall , the film was released in the United States on December 9 , 2005 by Columbia Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures ; the latter was given studio credit only . It stars Ziyi Zhang , Ken Watanabe , Gong Li , Michelle Yeoh , Youki Kudoh , Suzuka Ohgo , and Samantha Futerman . Production took place in southern and northern California and in several locations in Kyoto , including the Kiyomizu temple and the Fushimi Inari shrine . The film tells the story of a young Japanese girl , Chiyo Sakamoto , who is sold by her impoverished family to a geisha house called an okiya . Chiyo is eventually transformed into a geisha and renamed `` Sayuri '' , and becomes one of the most celebrated geisha of her time . But with this success , Sayuri also learns the secrets and sacrifices of the geisha lifestyle . </P>
who is the main character in memoirs of a geisha
who is the main character in memoirs of a geisha
Chiyo Sakamoto `` Sayuri ''
Chiyo Sakamoto `` Sayuri ''