The Truth of Sincerity and the Commandment of Chic: Yoshiwara Hanairi of the Late 18th Century

The Truth of Sincerity and the Commandment of Chic: Yoshiwara Hanairi of the Late 18th Century

In the latter half of the 18th century, Edo merchant culture was at its peak, and Yoshiwara was its central stage. Oiran (courtesans) were not mere prostitutes, but were of the highest rank, combining beauty, culture, artistry, and social skills, and their behavior was admired by townspeople, warriors, and literary figures. The "sincerity of truth," as they referred to it, meant that they were fair to all their guests without showing undue affection to any particular one. This was for professional reasons, for if they showed mercy to only one guest, it would be disrespectful to the others, and they would not be able to sustain themselves physically and mentally.

This attitude was closely related to the economic and social background of the time. In the middle and latter part of the Edo period, commerce flourished and wealthy merchants and wealthy townspeople emerged, boasting economic power on par with that of the samurai. Yoshiwara was their social gathering place, and oiran (courtesans), as a symbol of their social status, were highly esteemed. The oiran were associated with entertainment such as kabuki and joruri, and ceremonies such as the oiran dochu and hatsukai became highlights of the city's culture. Especially during the Temmei period, ukiyoe paintings by Utamaro and Kunisada glamorously depicted oiran (courtesans), and they were the talk of the town.

A related event was the rise of merchant culture from the Meiwa to the Temmei period. Social events such as the development of teahouse culture in the Meiwa period, changes in the lives of the common people due to famine in the Tenmei period, and reconstruction after the Great Fire of Tenmei also affected the way of the pleasure quarters. Despite being tossed about by the waves of the economy, the oiran did not lose their "chic" and "toughness," and they controlled their emotions and maintained their pride in order to protect their own values. This was not merely a professional discipline, but a way of life that embodied the aesthetics of Edo culture, and holding the truth of sincerity in one's heart as a warning was the foundation of a courtesan's dignity.