Although not pictured for long in the movie, Tanaka is the one who effectively sells Chiyo and Satsu into slavery in Kyoto. In the book, he befriends Chiyo and convinces her that he wishes to adopt her. He helps her with her problems in Yoroido. When her mother gets too sick and her father needs more money for a proper funeral, he agrees to sell his children, knowing that they would have a better life in Kyoto anyways. Tanaka takes Satsu and Chiyo to be examined by a women who, unknown by Chiyo or Satsu, is deciding whether or not they are fit to become Geisha. Tanaka leaves them with Mr. Bekku, a geisha dresser, who takes them away by train. In the movie, all that is shown of Tanaka is his taking away of the children, and his presence in the train station where the children were taken away.