Meeting between the proprietress and the oiran - Yoshiwara's arrangement where economy and emotion intersect (Edo period)

Meeting between the proprietress and the oiran - Yoshiwara's arrangement where economy and emotion intersect (Edo period)

In Yoshiwara during the Edo period, the proprietress was at the center of the management of the brothel. She was both a businesswoman and an administrator with a motherly receptivity. Every night, meetings were held with the courtesans to decide the next day's seating arrangements, and practical conversations were exchanged about such matters as "who to raise" and "which guests to give priority to. Behind the scenes, money and human feelings were at play. If a courtesan fell ill, the proprietress would not force her to work too hard, but instead instructed her to take her place, thereby protecting the reputation of the store. The proprietress was required to maintain both calmness for the sake of business and compassion for the working women. The opinions of the oirishis were respected, and consultations were based on trust when dealing with regular customers. Although there were occasional conflicts, they were proof of the seriousness with which they approached their work. T
he relationship between the proprietress and the courtesans was more than that of boss and subordinate; it was like a community of destiny, and the daily meetings were the heart of the order and warmth that supported the society of Yoshiwara.