Yoshiwara's splendor and the world of suffering - in the context of the social background of the Edo period
Yoshiwara, an officially sanctioned brothel recognized by the Edo shogunate, was representative of the urban culture of the Edo period. In order to maintain public safety and public morals, the shogunate collected and controlled prostitutes in one place, which was officially recognized as Yoshiwara. The rapidly growing population of Edo (present-day Tokyo), especially among men such as warriors and craftsmen, required Yoshiwara as a space to satisfy their demand for amusement.
The Nakano-cho area of Yoshiwara was lined with cherry blossom trees, and the oiran procession took place there. The sight of oiran in their glittering costumes, accompanied by bald or shinzo (young men), parading through the streets attracted the admiration of the common people and became the subject of ukiyoe (woodblock prints) and kabuki plays. Yoshiwara thus became the center of Edo culture and the birthplace of fashion and aesthetics. It was a place of great entertainment for the common people and one of Edo's famous landmarks for tourists from the provinces.
However, behind the glamorous atmosphere, there was the harsh reality of prostitutes. As the saying goes, "Ten years of hardship in the brothel", prostitutes were sold at an early age for a fixed term contract and forced to serve for more than ten years. The only way to gain their freedom was to be sold to another prostitute, or to become ill and close down the business. Many died at a young age from illness or overwork, and their lives were in severe bondage.
Yoshiwara was also a huge economic force, creating many related industries such as Hikite teahouses and catered restaurants, and was an element that supported the Edo economy. In other words, Yoshiwara was not only a stage that symbolized the splendor of Edo culture, but also a "town of light and shadow" built on the sacrifice of women.
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