Intoxicated by the Sound of Water -- The Story of Tamagiku, the Famous Flower of Yoshiwara

Intoxicated by the Sound of Water -- The Story of Tamagiku, the Famous Flower of Yoshiwara

Walking along the streets of Yoshiwara on an Edo night, with the lights of the lanterns flickering, you can hear the distant sound of the shamisen (three-stringed Japanese banjo). Listening to the sound of the shamisen, I found not only a glamorous sound, but also a quietness and depth that touched the depths of my heart. Yes, this was Tamagiku's shamisen, which was called "the music of the water.

The fleeting life of sound

In 1702, Tamagiku was born into this world. And only 25 years later, on March 29, 1726--she scattered like a single flower. However, her name still quietly lives on in the Yoshiwara culture of Edo.

Tamagiku was not just a prostitute. She was a master of all the arts: tea ceremony, ikebana, haikai, and koto music. But it was the sound of her shamisen that made her famous above all else.

One day, a cultural figure visiting Yoshiwara asked her to play a melody that would move his heart. Tamagiku quietly set up her shamisen and began to weave the sound as if the wind were rustling or the waves were rippling. The melody gently enveloped the listener's heart and quietly brought tears to his eyes. When the performance was over, the cultural figure gently wiped his eyes with his sleeve and said in deep admiration, "This is the sound that moves people's hearts.

After she passed away, Ranzu Jusunmi, a master of the Kato-bushi style, who missed her sound, composed "Keisei mizuchoshi" and prayed for her repose. It was a melody that seemed to copy her life.

A Night Wet with Sake

Tamagiku, however, had more than just a talent for sound. She was also the best drinker in Yoshiwara. She never lost her temper, no matter how much she drank.

One night, a wealthy merchant in Yoshiwara challenged her to a sake competition. They drank more and more, and eventually the merchant's face turned red and he began to waver. But Tamagiku continued to drink quietly, her smile still on her face. When the wealthy merchant finally ran out of strength, she lightly set down her cup and jokingly said, "I will drink with you again.

I haven't even drunk half of it yet.

The anecdote spread, and the phrase "Don't challenge Tamagiku to a drink" was born in Yoshiwara. Ironically, however, she herself was drained of her life by the sake, and eventually passed away quietly.

Under the Lights

Her death deeply shocked the people of Yoshiwara. During the New Bon Festival, countless lanterns were hung in front of the eaves of teahouses and brothels, and Yoshiwara was enveloped in soft light at night. The scene was called "Tamagiku Touro," and eventually came to be passed down as one of the three most beautiful sights in Yoshiwara.

It is not common for such a memorial service to be held after the death of a prostitute. Tamagiku was loved to such an extent.

Unfulfilled Love

There was no end to the number of people who tried to take her in. Among them, a certain samurai tried many times.

Let us live together."

Whenever he whispered this, Tamagiku simply smiled quietly and shook her head.

I cannot leave Yoshiwara."

Eventually the samurai stopped visiting, and after she passed away, he muttered, "If I never see you again, there is no point in going.

A Name Remaining in the Winds of Edo

Tamagiku's name bloomed and fleetingly scattered in the floating world of Yoshiwara. However, her sound may still ride the wind and echo in the Edo night.

When someone listens to the sound of the shamisen on a night of flickering lanterns, her image will be softly blurred in the depths of its melody.