My name, Shinju, means pearl. My mother chose this name for me because when she and my father discovered me, abandoned on the shores of Mogami River, a precious pearl, which I held clutched in the palm of my hand, was my only posession.

My mother claims that the pearl belonged to the goddess, Benten. She says that Benten gave it to me so that I could wish for the right parents to come and care for me -- and that is exactly what happened. My mother took the pearl and hid it away for me. She said I could have it again when I learned to respect the power of a goddess' pearl.

Unfortunately, my mother and father were both killed by a kaizoku ship which came upon them in the harbour as they were hauling in the traps. The cursed beings took all of their catch and then mercilously slit their throats. I was 12 on the very night they died. I was watching from the shore and screaming curses at the kaizoku, but they couldn't hear me. I know they saw me though. As they turned out to sea, they hoisted their colors and the captain waved to me. I can still see the smile on his face and the vivid blue, red and yellow flag adorned with a single star still haunts my dreams.

The evening of their funeral, as I lay crying in the sand on the shore of the beach where my parents were killed, the goddess Benten visited me. She said that I was special to her -- that my voice, from the time I was an infant, had called to her. She told me that I posessed certain powers of persuasion and that the time had come to understand and refine those powers. She said that I should go to see a certain okasan of an okiya in Kyoto. She said it was there that I would learn what it is to use my "powers of persuasion" to their fullest -- and I would then learn my purpose. I left that night with only the posessions I could carry and the godess' pearl on a string around my neck.

I have studied the art of Geisha for seven long years now. I have learned things, yes. The experiences here have made some girls hard and bitter, but they make me strong and wise --becasue I choose it to be so. I don't always understand Benten's advisemsnt on this path, but she has always been my protector and I trust her judgement implicitly.

The pearl remains around my neck, though it is no longer string that binds it there. The string has been replaced by a very beautiful and very fine golden chain. You see, I am a very successful geisha. I have come to understand not only the art of tea ceremony, shamisen and tachikata, but the art of persuasion. Mother-san has taught me to understand the fine line between debauchery and finesse, and it has been gain for us both. There are very few who can resist my abilities, as I have spent the last seven years realizing and perfecting them.

Last night, as I clutched the pearl around my neck, Benten appeared to me. After seven years of silence she has come to me with a very clear message. I am to travel to Kamakura at first light on an urgent mission. Benten needs me -- and I will not fail her!

Want to read about the adventure? Just follow the button to Pearls of Wisdom. You can also visit the homes of my friends, Ji Nu Chi, Jia Li Chi, Shibori Murasaka and Bei Wu to read their part of the adventures and see their amazing homes!