Voices by brazier light - A quiet night dining table in Yoshiwara - circa early 1800s

Voices by brazier light - A quiet night dining table in Yoshiwara - circa early 1800s

The red coals of the brazier were breathing faintly, and the quietness of Yoshiwara's late night had returned. The prostitute on the right is heating a small pot with charcoal from a bamboo blind. The contents of the pot were probably leftovers from the sake party, and were a valuable evening meal for the prostitutes. Despite their luxurious clothing, the women's daily meals were simple, and they often relied on leftovers from the kitchen. In Yoshiwara, the hierarchy was strict, and only the most popular courtesans were able to order food from the kitchen, while most prostitutes ate meagerly from a predetermined table.

However, the time spent around the brazier was a precious opportunity for these women to be close to each other as "working women. It is thought that they whispered complaints about the day, talked about customers, and worried about their health and future amidst the steam of the brazier. Life in Yoshiwara was harsh, and many people fell ill or were overworked. The profile illuminated by the brazier's light shows a quiet strength and warm sympathy that is different from the glamorous frontal appearance. This scene is a record of a quiet night in Yoshiwara, showing the "front" and "back" sides of the town at the same time.