Yoshiwara Fire and Temporary Houses - Edo Period

Yoshiwara Fire and Temporary Houses - Edo Period

The city of Edo was a place where large fires broke out frequently, so much so that it was said that "fire and fighting were the flower of Edo. In particular, Yoshiwara, with its dense concentration of wooden buildings, was always exposed to the danger of fire, and frequently burned to the ground. Some owners saw fire as an opportunity to rebuild their dilapidated buildings, clear their debts, or start new businesses. The fire was not only a disaster, but also an opportunity for economic revival.

After the fire, "temporary housing business" was conducted, and prostitutes and owners who were burned out continued to operate in simple buildings. However, the treatment was poor, and the quality of the clientele declined due to the loss of splendor, which was especially humiliating for the high-class prostitutes. They hoped for a full-fledged return to Yoshiwara as soon as possible. On the other hand, for the lower-class prostitutes, living in temporary housing with less supervision meant temporary freedom, but they were doomed to return to strict discipline once reconstruction progressed.

Edo at that time was also called a "cyclical city," developing through repeated fires and rebuilding. Yoshiwara, too, was destroyed and rebuilt by fire, each time taking on a new appearance as it continued to exist. Fire and temporary housing symbolized both urban culture and the brothel system.