Rashomon Riverbank and Living Hell - The Reality of the Lowest Class Lurking Behind the Gorgeousness (Edo Period)

Rashomon Riverbank and Living Hell - The Reality of the Lowest Class Lurking Behind the Gorgeousness (Edo Period)

--Oyaguro Dobu" is located behind Yoshiwara, facing the Rashomon riverbank. Although the area reeked of stench, the voices of prostitutes remained somehow cheerful.

Amusement woman A: "It's cold again today, but the morning sun is shining beautifully.
Amusement woman B: "Indeed. Even if you are not a guest of the Omisei, anyone can see the sky.
Amusement woman C "The other night, a customer got drunk and imitated rakugo. That made me laugh.
Amusement woman A: "Thanks to that, I was able to spend the night a little happily. I even forgot about my illness.

--In the distance, I hear the music of the oirani-no-doju (courtesans).

Amusement woman B: "We can't compare to the glamorous oirisama, but we want to spend our time smiling, don't we?
Amusement woman C "Yes, we do. Even though it is called 'living hell,' if we are laughing, the hell will ease a little.
Amusement woman A: "Next, let's sing a song together. Let's change this place to "Laughing Dobu" instead of "Teeth Black Dobu"!

--The laughter that spilled from the mouths of these women, despite their poverty and illness, was a small relief amid the harsh conditions of Yoshiwara.