In the end, Dr. Crab agreed to pay ¥11,500 for my mizuage. Up to that time, this was the highest ever
　　paid for a mizuage in Gion, and possibly in any of the geisha districts in Japan. Keep in mind that in
　　those days, one hour of a geisha's time cost about ¥4, and an extravagant kimono might have sold for
　　¥1500. So it may not sound like a lot, but it's much more than, say, a laborer might have earned in a year.