Rashomon Riverbank and Living Hell - The Reality of the Lowest Class Lurking Behind the Gorgeousness (Edo Period, 18th - 19th Centuries)

Rashomon Riverbank and Living Hell - The Reality of the Lowest Class Lurking Behind the Gorgeousness (Edo Period, 18th - 19th Centuries)
Yoshiwara was known as a glamorous brothel that symbolized Edo's merchant culture, and ukiyoe and literature depicted the area in all its opulence. However, behind the scenes, there existed an area of the lowest class called "Oteguro-dobu. This corner facing the Rashomon riverbank was a dark space where prostitutes suffering from diseases were gathered in a poor environment surrounded by foul-smelling drainage ditches. The women were afflicted with venereal diseases and debility, were despised by their customers, and often died before they could fulfill their years of life. Their bodies were usually buried at the nearby Jokanji Temple, commonly known as the "throwing-in temple," which was called a "living hell" by the general public.

On the other hand, high-ranking prostitutes, such as oiran (courtesans) and tayu (courtesans), made huge sums of money and boasted of their prestige by demonstrating their culture and talent in the performing arts. This contrasting hierarchical difference shows the reality of the strict hierarchy within the Yoshiwara. The "ogyakudobu" that existed behind the glamorous front stage symbolized the shadows of urban prosperity and consumer society, reflecting the light and shadow of Edo culture at the same time. The cruel reality lurking behind the glamour is a condensation of the contradictions of the Edo period and illustrates the ruthless structure of urban society.