I pitied Hatsumomo.

"who paid for the rice in your bowl, the silk on your back."

I just recently watched the film and it's been years since i read the book, but i don't believe the economics of the situation work out that way. For instance if i recall, Sayuri essentially paid off her debt to the Okiya (Her home as a Geisha) that paid for her training as a Geisha and her upbringing (clothes, food, medical) in the selling of her virginity (mizuage). After which, it is likely that she would then pay for lodgings and services at the Okiya for simplicity of it being 'home' and 'family. That was if she hadn't already been made daughter and heir.

It's entirely possible that Hatsumomo was likely still paying of her 'debt' to the Okiya, as well as for her keeping in her work as a Geisha at the time. While it's possible that Hatsumomo was likely their primary source of income through which that cared for themselves and kept the Okiya running they no doubt had other sources....

It would likely have been very trying to to be a Geisha without what is effectively an agency and agent (the Okiya and Mother) to manage your bookings, organise services like hair and makeup. It probably wouldn't have been seen as respectable for a Geisha to not have an Okiya through which she could be contacted (given that most if not all Geisha are raised if not 'belonging' to the Okiya at the time), unless she was a woman of means that had a 'dana' (a boyfriend you exclusively had sex with) - and thus was basically a kept mistress that still entertained (like paid entertainment) at her leisure.

But i'm pulling alot of this educated guess out my butt. I might have to go look this up.

EDIT: Was just reading up on Okiyas:

When the young woman moves into the okiya as a resident, she can be legally adopted as the okā-san's atotori (heiress), and she becomes her adoptive daughter from then on. As the atotori, she will live in the okiya permanently, all of her debts will be absorbed by the house, and her income will directly fund the household and all of its workers, this is seen as a great honor. When the okāsan dies, she will fully inherit the Okiya and become the new mother or successor.

Another source says all of the Heirs income will go to the Okiya. So really, since nice gentle Sayuri had settled her debt to the Okiya, it made real financial sense to adopt her (thus the rest of the money from her Mizuage would also go to the Okiya), as she was on he rise to be a supreme Geisha, and all her money would go on to support the house, who would not only support her, but that she would then inherit. It would not suprirse me if as a daughter in the Okiya she was allowed a stipend for personal purchases even.

Pumpkin at the time was IIRC not even a full Geisha - had not sold her Mizuage, had not paid of her debt to the Okiya, and was likly an average training Geishas, with averga earnings at best.

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