Hatsumomo was most likely sold by her family who was impoverished and simply couldn't take care of her, and hoping she would have a better life as a geisha, she was sold to a "Geisha House" called an Okiya. One could say this makes her character all the more mysterious and alluring. Hatsumomo has no backstory, her personal history and how she entered the flower and willow world is a complete mystery and her past is never explained. "Why Hatsumomo, you used to smell of jasmine. This was deliberately done to make her appear slightly more intimidating and threatening on screen. Instead, Hatsumomo is portrayed to be tall and statuesque, with cat-like features. In the film version, she is not portrayed to be as feminine and delicate as her character is described in the novel. Hatsumomo San, the most Beautiful Geisha of Gion Japan. She uses the power of her beauty to survive and cleverly manipulate those around her. She possesses the elegance of a swan and walks in kimono with a grace so regal and polished, that many men stop dead in their tracks just to stare at her as she passes them while on the street. However, behind this perfect facade she is also just as sneaky as a snake and as cruel as a poisonous spider, yet is skilled at concealing this unpleasant trait to most strangers. She is described as having very fair skin, is short in height with petite bone structure, and looks more lovely chewing on her fingernail than most other geisha look while posing to have their picture taken. In the novel, Hatsumomo is said to be more stunning than a doll.
You're thinking you'll never be so beautiful. I know what you're thinking as you stare at me.