In both the book and the movie, Hatsumomo is kicked out of the Nitta Okiya and onto the
streets, never getting involved in the plot onwards. Some speculators believe that after World War II,
Hatsumomo made a living as a prostitute in the Pleasure District of Miyagawa-Cho. Others believe that
the novel hints that Hatsumomo turned to alcoholism and is suffering from the consequences of the vice,
as Sayuri guessed.