_Penal Provisions._
Art. 50.—Persons who have infringed Arts 2 to 4; 7 and 8; 10 to 16;
18 to 26; 31; 36 to 43; 45 to 47; and 49 shall be punished by
detention of not less than one day and not exceeding ten days, or by
a fine of not less than five _sen_ and not exceeding one _yen_ ninety
five _sen_.
In addition to the foregoing, there are a great many detailed
regulations governing the social evil, among which may be mentioned:—
_Police Department Notification No._ 22 _re_ the physical examination
of prostitutes. (Issued March 1894.)
_Police Department Instruction No._ 18-_a_ prescribing method of
physical examination of prostitutes. This is an instruction to the
examining surgeons and to it is annexed specimen forms of reports to
be made. (Issued April 1894.)
_Police Department Instruction No._ 38-_a_. Instructions for the
practical enforcement of the regulations _re_ Introducing tea-houses
(_hikite-jaya_), brothel (_kashi-zashiki_), and prostitutes (_shōgi_).
Gives forms of reports, books to be kept, etc. (Issued November 1896).
_Police Department Instruction No._ 42-_a_ addressed to all Police
Stations having jurisdiction over brothel quarters. This Instruction
demands:
1. That information _re_ suspicious characters must be given to the
police. When visitors resemble the circulated descriptions of
persons “_wanted_” by the police and advertised for with a picture.
2. Information must be given _re_ persons who possess money or
valuables manifestly unsuitable to their station in life, and _re_
persons who are spending money recklessly.
3. Information must be given _re_ persons possessed of swords,
firearms, or other lethal weapons, and whose conduct is suspicious.
4. Information must be given about persons who remain in brothels
for upwards of three days consecutively.
5. Information must be given when guests entrust or give to
courtesans money or effects. (Issued December 1896).
_Police Department Instruction No._ 43-_a_, addressed to all Police
Stations having jurisdiction over brothel quarters. Contains seven
articles _re_ the position of the Department _vis-à-vis_ the
_Kashi-zashiki_, _Hikite-jaya_, and _Shōgi_ Guilds. (Issued December
1896).
There are also a great many detailed provisions intended to protect the
women, among which may be mentioned one reading:—
“Should the keeper of a brothel endeavour to cause undue expenditure
of money, or without valid reason try to interfere with the women
desiring to reform, it is forbidden by law; and he can neither by law
or under agreement, ill-treat the women cruelly or unfairly, therefore
should anything like this occur, the women shall complain to the
policeman on the beat or to the Police Station.”
The laws are fair to a certain extent if carried out in the spirit in
which they have been framed, but it is needless to say that the inmates
of the Japanese brothels are entirely subjected to the will of their
keepers, and although as a rule the girls are not inhumanely treated,
they are to all intents slaves, just as much as if they were chained
to the galleys. It is _not law, but custom_ which keeps them there,
and there is many and many an innocent victim driven to these devilish
institutions by customs which exalt profligate fathers and beastly
brothers into authoritative beings for whom every sacrifice should
be made—even that of chastity. To say a woman has sacrificed herself
for the sake of her relations covers everything among the lower and
more ignorant masses, and the only thing which would be effectual
with these model fathers, mothers, and brothers, would be a thorough
horse-whipping each and every time a case crops up; or better still,
the cat-o’-nine-tails laid on by an expert until they howl for mercy.
The efforts of the Japanese Government to abolish the evil of this
servitude have been vigorous, but custom—that law of fools—has been
too powerful, and the regulations are infringed indirectly in many
ways, chiefly however owing to the frantic opposition to reform raised
by those numerous parasitic hangers-on who attach themselves to the
prostitute quarters, and, while leading a lazy and mischievous life,
manage to suck sustenance from the earnings of defenceless women. The
position of the Government is clearly demonstrated by the text of the
laws and notifications, _but no Government can eradicate an evil if not
backed up by the people_, and at present the number of persons who have
intelligently considered the question is very small indeed.
The Penal Code, promulgated July 1880, Art. 425, provides three to ten
days’ imprisonment, or a fine of 1 yen to 1 yen 95 sen, as a punishment
for secret prostitution, or lending premises to persons for the purpose
of assisting such secret prostitution.
To enable the reader to judge of the severity of the treatment which
the Government in olden times meted out by way of punishment, annexed
is a proclamation made by Ōoka Echizen-no-Kami, the famous Governor of
Tōkyō, dated Kyōhō, 7th year, 8th month, 16th day. (26th Sept., 1722).
“Whereas secret prostitution has been prohibited in the Wards of this
City, and whereas it appears that the practice has been carried on
in an audacious manner, it is hereby ordered that henceforth secret
prostitutes shall be treated as follows:—
“1st.—The person harbouring secret prostitutes will be ordered to
yield up to the Government his ground lot, furniture, house, and
godown, and the woman offending shall herself have her furniture
seized, and for the space of 100 days shall be manacled with irons,
and committed into the custody of the responsible parties in her Ward,
an officer being detailed off to visit the house every other day to
inspect the seal on her manacles.
“2nd.—The owner of grounds and houses in which secret prostitution
takes place, shall be held in the same penalties even although he is
not living on the premises, but only represented by a care-taker. The
care-taker shall have all his furniture seized, and shall be manacled
for a period of 100 days, during which period he will be committed
into the custody of the responsible parties in his Ward, and every
other day the bonds shall be examined and the seal inspected.
“Three days after this date the appointed officials and Yoshiwara
authorities will proceed to search for persons carrying on illicit
prostitution, and if those persons are apprehended they will be dealt
with as stated above.
“Persons harbouring offenders may be punished with banishment or
death, and moreover the members of the Ward who are responsible for
the parties may be likewise punished in accordance with the foregoing.
Now therefore take notice, and let this be published throughout the
City.”
Again in 1875, the Police Department issued a notification, dated the
27th January, and numbered 23, as follows:—
“Persons practising secret prostitution and the keepers of secret
houses used for that purpose, shall be punished as follows:—
==========+=================+======================================
Principal | First Offence | Fine not exceeding 10 yen or 2-1⁄2
or | | months’ imprisonment.
Accessory +-----------------+--------------------------------------
| Second Offence | Fine not exceeding 20 yen or 5
| | months’ imprisonment.
----------+-----------------+--------------------------------------
Keeper of | First Offence | Fine not exceeding 15 yen or 3
the House | | months’ imprisonment.
+-----------------+--------------------------------------
| Second Offence | Fine not exceeding 50 yen or 6
| | months’ imprisonment.
----------+-----------------+--------------------------------------
Forms of Contracts between Brothels and Courtesans.
The following is the text of a form of contract used at Susaki. It is
practically the same as that used in the Yoshiwara:—
一金 借用金高
内譯
金
金
右借用金ニ對シ貸座敷ト結約スル證書謄本左ノ如シ
結約證書
一金
但シ利子ハ一ヶ月ニ付元金ノ百分一トス
右ハ自分義無據事情有之親戚承諾ノ上貴殿放ニ於テ娼妓稼業致候ニ付前書ノ金額正ニ借用
致候處確實也然ル上ハ自分稼高所得ヲ以テ返金ノ目的トナシ左ノ項々結約仕候
一 楊代壹個金 ト定メ内金 ヲ自分所得トシ此内ヨリ小遣金 ヲ引去リ
殘金 ハ前記借用金元利償却可致ニ付日々稼高ニ應ジ計算ノ上御受取可被下候事
二 稼業中金圓時借致候トキハ本金ニ拘ラス當月ノ稼高所得ヲ以テ直チニ返金可致候事
三 洲崎病院入院中ノ食費ハ自辨可致ニ付本金ニ拘ラス退院當月ノ稼高所得ヨリ御引去リ
可被下候事
四 時借及入院食費トモ當月ノ稼高ニテ返濟難相成トキハ本金ニ結込ミ第一項ニ依リ御計算
可被下候事
五 營業ニ關スル自分所有品ハ借用金ノ抵當ニ差入置候故ニ他ヘ持出シ又ハ質入賣却致間敷候事
六 稼業年限明治 年 月 日ヨリ明治 年 月 日マテハ必ス
貴殿方ニ於テ稼業可致若シ年限内廢業又ハ稼換致候トキハ即時借用金元利皆濟可致候事
七 病氣ニ罹リ稼業難相成トキハ醫師ノ診斷ニ任シ擅ニ休業又ハ廢業致間敷候事
八 入院休業等ノ爲メ非常ノ立換金ヲ受ケ又ハ逃亡其他稼業ニ不誠實ナルカ爲メ滿期ノ節借用
殘金之候トキハ廢業ノ即日壹時皆濟可致候事
九 滿期又ハ癈疾ニ罹リ廢業ヤシトキ及死亡シタルトキハ保證人ニ於テ引取リ貴殿ヘ御迷惑相掛申間
敷候事
十 第九項ノ場合ニ於テ借用金返濟不想成トキハ保證人立合抵擋品ヲ賣却シ該代金ヲ以テ償却
可致候事
十一 第六項第七項第八項ニ違約シタルトキ又ハ逃亡後三十日ヲ經過スルモ立戾ラサルトキハ抵
擋品賣却代金ヲ以テ借用金償却ニ充テ尙ホ不足アルトキハ特約トシテ本證連署ノ人名一同連帶ヲ
以テ辨償ノ責ニ任シ若シ連帶者中如何ナル事故有之候トモ殘リノ者ニ於テ引受ケ辨金可致候事
右之通り結約候處如件
明治 年 月 日
本人
保證人
貸座敷 殿
右之通り結約仕候也
娼妓
貸座敷
The following is the text (translated) of an actual agreement which was
cancelled by mutual consent:—
Memorandum of Agreement.
+---------+--------SEAL.
| 2 Sen | 2 Sen |
| | |
| Revenue | Revenue |
| | |
| stamp. | stamp. |
+---------+---------+
_Yen_ 90. _Bearing interest at the rate, of_ 1% (_one per cent_) _per
month_.
With respect to the above, owing to unavoidable circumstances, I agree,
with the consent of my relatives, to practise the profession of a
courtesan in your establishment. In this connection I have borrowed
from you the sum of money herein-above-written, the due receipt of
which I hereby acknowledge. In consideration of the premises, and with
the intention of repaying the loan to you from my earnings, I hereby
agree to the following clauses of this contract:—
1.—My fee for each guest is fixed at 25 _sen_. Out of each fee 12
_sen_ will appertain to myself, 3 _sen_ being kept for my personal
pocket-money while 9-1⁄2 _sen_ will be applied to the reduction of
the principal and interest of my debt. You will please deduct the
(latter) amount from the total of my daily earnings when the
accounts are made up.
2.—Should I contract temporary loans during the period of my service,
the monies shall be promptly returned out of my earnings for the
current month, and such temporary loans shall be separate and
apart from, and have nothing to do with, the capital loan
contracted under this agreement.
3.—As my living expenses during detention in the hospital are a charge
payable by myself, you will please deduct the same from my earnings
during the current month. These expenses shall have no connection
with the capital loan contracted under this agreement.
4.—Should I at any time be unable to repay out of my earnings
temporary advances, or living expenses while in the hospital,
during the current month in which such charges are contracted, you
will please add the amount to the capital loan to be accounted for
as per Article 1.
5.—My professional possessions are hereby pledged for the amount of my
debt, therefore I will neither carry them out elsewhere, pledge
them, nor sell them to other parties.
6.—The term of service contracted for is from the 20th December, 1895,
to the 9th October, 1900, and during that period I will not fail to
practise my calling in your house; but should I abandon the
profession, or move to another establishment during the term, it is
agreed that I am to repay forthwith the whole amount of loan and
interest due thereon.
7.—Should I fall ill and become unable to attend to business, I shall
leave the matter in the hands of the doctor and abide by his
diagnosis, and I promise not to rest from work or abandon my
profession on account of arbitrary personal caprice.
8.—When this agreement expires, should there be a balance of money
owing to you by reason of extraordinary advances made by you in
connection with my entering the hospital, resting from business,
etc.; or in connection with my flight (abscondence) or other
faithless (disloyal) conduct, I am to repay to you the whole amount
of such balance on the same day that I give up the profession.
9.—When I give up business on the expiration of this agreement, or
should I fall sick, be disabled, or die, my guarantor will receive
me and will positively not cause you any trouble or annoyance.
10.—Under the circumstance’s mentioned in Art. 9, should the amount
of debt not be duly repaid, the articles held in pledge by you
shall be sold, in the presence of my guarantor, and the proceeds
shall be applied to the clearing off of the debt.
11.—Should I commit a breach of agreement in violation of Articles
6, 7, or 8, or should I abscond and not return within 30 days, the
articles pledged shall be sold, and the proceeds applied to the
clearing off of the debt. Should a balance still be left, it is
specially agreed that all the persons whose names appear as joint
signatories to this contract shall be liable for the repayment of
the amount involved. Should any of the persons liable be unable to
discharge the debt, the remaining persons shall be responsible for
repayment.
Agreement entered into is as above.
20th December, 1895.
Borrower _______________ (_signature_) (SEAL.)
Guarantor ______________ (_signature_) (SEAL.)
(Address) ______________
To
Mr. Nishimura Etsusuke
Brothel-keeper.
I have witnessed the above agreement.
(signed) Sunaga Yonezō [SEAL.]
Vice-Superintendent of the brothels, tea-houses, and courtesans
of Susaki.
No. 453.
The following is a specimen of an average contract from an actual
document and will serve to illustrate the matter. This contract is one
used by the Kanagawa brothel called “_Jimpurō_” (commonly known as “No.
9.”)
Memorandum of Agreement.
Relative to a Loan of Money.
_Yen—Four hundred_.
_Provided_ that interest on the above shall be in accordance with the
Government Regulations.
With respect to the above I hereby acknowledge that as I have no means
of livelihood, and practice the profession of a courtesan by official
sanction, I have borrowed from you the above-written sum of money, and
in consideration thereof I hereby agree to the following clauses of
this contract:
1.—I will strictly comply with the regulations relative to courtesans.
2.—I will commence business on the ____________ year ____________
month ____________ day of Meiji, and continue until the __________
year ____________ month ____________ day of Meiji, and on the
completion of this term of three years will forthwith return my
license to the Government. It is understood that should I enter the
Lock hospital during the term, the number of days shall be clearly
noted in writing, and I shall apply for official sanction to
continue longer in the business for a corresponding period of days.
Should I not have repaid the loan when the time comes to return my
license, I will enter into an agreement to repay the same entirely.
3.—I will gradually repay the loan from my earnings as a courtesan,
and while the same is not all repaid, I will work faithfully and
diligently. I will never rest from work without good reason,
neither will I do anything calculated to interfere with or hurt
your business.
4.—I will pay the prostitute tax provided by the regulations from my
own earnings.
5.—I will divide the amount of my earnings into two portions, one of
which I will give up to you as room-hire and other sundry expenses.
From the remaining half I will repay the loan to you at the rate of
15 per cent of my receipts, and the balance (35 per cent) will be
taken by me as my own. It is understood that having agreed to halve
the money as above, even should the amount of my earnings be
insufficient to pay the expenses of my board, I shall not pay out
any other money.
6.—The account of repayments of the loan shall be balanced twice a
month, for which purpose the landlord and the courtesan shall both
keep books of the account wherein shall be set down entries to
agree the one with the other, and at the end of each month such
entries shall be stamped by both parties in each other’s presence.
With regard to the clothes which I use in the profession, and also
my other effects as per separate list attached herewith, I hereby
pledge and mortgage the same to you as security for the
hereinbefore-mentioned debt.
7.—Should the owner of the prostitute house consider that the coming
of any particular guest will be unprofitable, even although he
(she) should send such guest away with a refusal I shall certainly
not complain, but comply with his (her) wishes.
8.—Should I abscond during the term of engagement, fall sick, or
desire to discontinue the business and change my residence owing to
certain circumstances, but be unable to repay the above-written
debt, I will not remove or cease practising the business until my
guarantor has paid the entire amount.
9.—Any special debts which may be contracted by private arrangement
between the parties shall have no connection with the present
agreement. It is nevertheless understood that should I be unable to
pay the fees and expenses while in the Lock hospital, any money I
may borrow from you under that head will be added to the amount of
the present loan.
10.—In respect to the monthly balancing of account as per
above-written (Art. 6), in order that there may be no objection
or dispute, the books of both parties shall be submitted to the
Director of the “_Three Professions_,” who shall be requested to
seal the same officially after inspection.
In Witness whereof we the undersigned have hereunto set our seals
together with those of the guarantors, in order that there may be no
breach of the foregoing agreement hereafter.
Meiji _________ year _________ month _________ day.
Borrower ____________________________ L.S.
Guarantor (father) __________________ L.S.
Address ______________________
Guarantor (mother) __________________ L.S.
Address ______________________
To the Mistress of the Brothel.
I hereby seal the foregoing instrument in witness that its contents
are in order.
Kanagawa Tachibana-gōri,
Kanagawa-Eki,
(_Signed_) Shimazaki Kyujirō. (SEAL.)
Director of the “Three Professions.”[61]
The Medical Aspect.[62]
According to a report of an investigation of venereal diseases, drawn
up by Dr. Takai Hayao in 1892, and published in No. 4 of the
“_Medical Monthly Report_” (醫務月報) for that year, the percentage of
infection in the six prostitute quarters of Tōkyō was, during 1891, as
follows:—
_Shin-Yoshiwara 1.67
Susaki 1.88
Shinagawa 1.47
Senji 1.35
Shinjiku 1.99
Itabashi 1.98_
the stated average being 1.67509 per 100 women.
In Kanagawa Prefecture (including the prostitute quarters of Yokohama
and Yokosuka) among 2634 women the average percentage of disease for
1898 was officially stated as 2.771. These very low figures must
be regarded with great suspicion, as they are not only against the
experience of medical practitioners in other countries _but are clearly
proven to be misleading by the latest statistics of the Yoshiwara
hospital_. In March 1899 the percentage of patients in the Yoshiwara
rose to about 6-1⁄2%, and this appears to be a more reliable figure.
It is curious to note that in a work by Dr. O. Commenge (_Recherche
sur les Maladies véneriennes a Paris, dans leur Rapports avec la
Prostitution réglementaire de_ 1878 _à_ 1887) the percentage of
prostitutes (registered by cards) suffering from _syphilis_ alone was
7.3% while those registered in houses were diseased to the extent of
12.0%. In view of these figures, one cannot help regarding the Japanese
statistics, which are supposed to include _all_ venereal diseases,
as somewhat untrustworthy and misleading, and to conclude that this
trouble arises from the superficial nature of the inspection.
At the same time, it must not be forgotten that segregation of
prostitutes in regularly appointed quarters _may_ cause a difference in
the percentage of disease, as this system gives a greater control over
the licensed women.
According to the records of the Yokohama General Hospital (from 1868)
the ratio of syphilitic cases treated diminished considerably after the
present system of inspection and control was inaugurated in Yokohama.
European medical practitioners states that it is a decided mistake to
consider the form of syphilis in Japan as a peculiarly virulent or
severe type. Among Japanese it is exceptionally mild, the more severe
and deeper lesions being somewhat rare. It may be more severe in the
comparatively pure-blooded European, but even with foreigners it is as
amenable to treatment as in Europe or America.
Many Japanese doctors affirm that since the introduction of inspection
and enforced hospitalization the more severe types of syphilis have
become less common. Prior to the _Meiji_ (present) era it was quite
an ordinary thing to see noses eaten away by syphilis, whereas such a
sight is comparatively rare nowadays.
Although there are a great many conflicting opinions on the subject,
the concensus of opinion among Japanese medical men is that public
prostitution is an unfortunate but necessary evil. They say that the
present system is a safety-valve for society and that repressive
measures would increase the number of cases of rape, seduction,
adultery, unnatural vice, and illicit prostitution;[63] and that to
abandon medical inspection would certainly tend to increase the ratio
and virulence of venereal diseases.
One of the greatest evils of the system is that of permitting the
custom called “_mawashi_” by which a woman accepts several guests
and goes round from one to the other in turn all night. It is stated
that the women wash themselves after each connection for the purpose of
preventing the spread of disease, but unless the cleansing is done very
thoroughly there can be no doubt but that infection is communicated to
guests by this disgusting practice of accommodating several men at the
same time. It appears that great trouble is experienced by the women
when washing themselves in summer: the skin is apt to become inflamed
and excoriated by excessive washing, and although iodoform would be an
excellent antiseptic if applied, the smell of iodoform is offensive to
guests, and this precludes its use.
The doctors, recognizing the one-sided feature of dealing with women
alone, recommend that men entering houses of prostitution should be
examined by a matron, so that all who are diseased can be eliminated,
but they admit that this examination would not be infallible and that
certain diseases would pass undetected: the brothel-keepers say that
such a system would drive away guests and tend to encourage secret
prostitution, and besides that the cost of medical attendance would be
greatly increased.
There are a great many cases of heart disease, _kakké_ (beri-beri),
dyspepsia and hysteria among the inmates of the Yoshiwara, and also
some cases of consumption.
Result of Medical Inspection in the Shin-Yoshiwara. 1898.
==========+===============+============+==============+==============
Month. | Number of | Number of | Proportion | Number of
| inspections. | infected | per 100. | guests
| | cases. | | entertained.
----------+---------------+------------+--------------+--------------
January | 10,590 | 574 | 5.42 | 135,100
February | 10,052 | 585 | 5.82 | 98,922
March | 12,224 | 697 | 5.70 | 104,415
April | 10,466 | 633 | 6.05 | 121,497
May | 11,568 | 733 | 6.33 | 100,616
June | 11,803 | 684 | 5.83 | 101,005
July | 10,542 | 600 | 5.69 | 108,973
August | 12,268 | 671 | 5.47 | 92,101
September | 11,153 | 539 | 4.83 | 90,523
October | 10,869 | 540 | 4.96 | 91,486
November | 11,817 | 649 | 5.49 | 111,784
December | 11,250 | 597 | 5.30 | 81,463
----------+---------------+------------+--------------+--------------
Total | 134,602 | 7,506 | 5.58 | 1,237,885
----------+---------------+------------+--------------+--------------
Result of Medical Inspection in the Shin-Yoshiwara.
January to April 1899.
==========+===============+============+==============+==============
Month. | Number of | Number of | Proportion | Number of
| inspections. | infected | per 100. | guests
| | cases. | | entertained.
----------+---------------+------------+--------------+--------------
January | 11,545 | 732 | 6.34 | 133,410
February | 10,300 | 665 | 6.46 | 89,127
March | 11,648 | 740 | 6.35 | 115,534
April | 10,412 | 699 | 6.71 | 131,593
----------+---------------+------------+--------------+--------------
Total | 43,905 | 2,836 | 6.47 | 469,664
----------+---------------+------------+--------------+--------------
Statistics _re_ Social Evil in Japan in 1898.
The following figures are stated to be the result of official
investigation, and they are given for reference. Readers will please
understand that it is virtually impossible to verify the details, and
therefore the correctness of the information cannot be guaranteed:—
Number of singing girls (adults) 24,261
Number of singing girls (children) 3,537
Number of women carrying on the profession
of courtesans and singing-girls combined 513
Waitresses in brothels and tea-houses[64] 34,015
Number of _geisha_ houses 6,647
Number of restaurants 29,511
Various establishments frequented by _geisha_ 5,650
Inspection offices 364
Number of courtesans 40,208
Introducers of courtesans 1,277
Number of prostitute quarters 546
Number of brothels 10,172
Pros and Cons.
As the writer has absolutely no axe to grind, and only desires to offer
materials for further investigation of the subject, he has thought it
well to annex some correspondence which appeared in the “_Japan Times_”
in March 1899.
Correspondence.
A SOCIAL QUESTION.
_To the Editor of the_ “_Japan Times._”
Dear Mr. Editor,—Will you kindly give the following “facts” a place
in your paper. How long is the Government of this land going to
sanction a condition of things that permits of such cruel enslavement
of her women?—for, Mr. Editor, however the law may “read,” morally,
these girls have no liberty; and so long as legalized prostitutes are
possible, so long will such sacrifices be forced upon the women of
Japan.
If it be true that a nation is judged by the esteem in which her women
are held,—is it not time for ambitious Japan to remove this blot upon
her name?
In western Japan lives a widow and her three children—two daughters
and a son. The eldest daughter when twelve years of age was adopted
by another family. Three years later the adopted father died, when
the adopted mother desired to be relieved of the child, but had no
intention of giving her up without remuneration. She therefore wrote
the true mother offering to return the girl on the payment of _yen_
150, and in the event of the mother not paying this price stating
that she would sell the child for three years to a brothel. The
price demanded was more than the poor mother could meet, for she was
struggling to supply the needs of herself and other children; and this
child of fifteen years was sold for “seven” instead of “three” years,
the purchase money going into the hands of the foster mother.
Seven years rolled round, and the true mother expected to receive
her child, but through the intrigue of the brothel manager and
foster-mother—the latter was receiving a monthly percentage of the
girl’s earnings—it had been so managed that the helpless girl must
earn still _yen_ 300 before her slavery would end. The letters from
this victim of man’s passion and greed told only of repugnance of the
life to which she was bound, and were full of entreaties to be freed.
Finally a letter came saying death was preferable to the life she was
leading. In despair the mother journeyed to the city where her child
was in bondage, and succeeded in getting possession of her. _Ten years
of enforced slavery_ to which “death” is preferable has been this
girl’s portion. Happy in her freedom, she is now earning her living in
an honest and respectable way, but on this innocent woman, who is but
twenty-five years of age, will rest the blot of a _soiled life_. Where
are the patriots? Surely the time has come for such to lift their
voices and say these things shall not be.
Yours,
White Ribbon.
* * * * *
_Editorial Note_, _March 3rd_, 1899.
The question of licensed prostitution, like every other problem under
the sun, has two sides to it, and no judgment can be pronounced upon
it until all the pros and cons have been duly considered and weighed.
We do not profess to have studied the subject sufficiently thoroughly
and dispassionately to record any authoritative opinion about it. But
so far as we can see, the community at large certainly fares better
from moral and sanitary points of view under a system which localizes
social vices and exercises strict control over them, than under the
alternative system—or rather absence of system—under which the evil is
suffered to stalk about and stare at respectable men and women at every
turn in the open streets, as is the case in many Christian cities in
Europe and America. It is quite possible that the system of efficient
control is not free from individual cases of hardship, cruelty, and
injustice, such as that cited by “White Ribbon” in a letter published
elsewhere. But the question is whether such cases of hardship upon
innocent girls will be removed when the present system of licenced
prostitution shall have been done away with. Supposing that there
were no licenced houses of ill fame, would not the same greedy and
cruel adopted mother in the present case have found some other means
of making money at the sacrifice of the unfortunate girl’s virtue?
Would the girl’s lot be any the better in such event? Until a
times arrives when these questions can be answered in the decided
affirmative, it seems to be mere waste of useful energy on the part
of social reformers to cry out against the system of administrative
control of vice. They had better devote their attention to the
elevation of the general moral tone of society.
* * * * *
Dear Sir,—The case of the girl sold by her mother-in-law into a life
of prostitution, reported by “White Ribbon” in to-day’s issue of your
paper, is certainly not an exceptional one in this country. That the
majority of the girls filling the houses of prostitution in this
country are there not of their own free will, but are practically held
as slaves, is the current opinion among Japanese. That the government
does not recognize such “sales” is of course understood. The first
and most important step for social reformers undoubtedly is, as you
suggest, the elevation of the general moral tone of society. This is
the purpose of the “White Ribbon” movement and of much other moral
and religious work. I am also ready to grant that, at least for the
present, it may be an open question whether the legal control of the
social evil is not perhaps the wiser course to pursue. But the question
remains; what is the Government of Japan doing towards the elevation
of the moral tone of society, making such cases as reported by your
correspondent at least hideous in the eyes of the people, and rare in
occurrence? Does not the _manner_ in which the Government regulates
this vice tend rather towards encouraging than towards discouraging
such practice? Henry Norman in his “The Real Japan” has given us a
pretty clear insight into the procedure by which girls receive the
Government’s permission to lead the profession of courtesan. As Henry
Norman says, “the whole system is based upon the theory of a civil
contract” and if the poor girl, hating the life into which she
has been forced, tries to escape it by flight, is it not true that
the keeper of the house of prostitution “recovers possession of her
by a civil action for debt against her parents and surety”? Would not
much be gained if the Government should cease authorizing the entrance
of any girl upon a life of prostitution? If the police were to keep
strict account of the number of prostitutes in the houses of ill fame,
the medical examination could be continued compulsorily as now; and
in this lies, as far as I understand, the great advantage claimed by
the advocates of licensing the evil. But if a girl has been allured
or has been sold into a life of shame, she could then escape from it
without fear of being forced back by a civil suit against her parents
or against those who had to do with leading her into it. If any keeper
of a house of ill fame advances money in order to have additions to his
stock of prostitutes, let him do it entirely at his risk, knowing that
there is no legal redress if he loses his money through the flight of
the girl.
Dear Sir, I write in no carping or fault-finding spirit. While I wish
with all my heart that this whole awful evil could be wiped from
the face of the earth and all men might treat every woman as their
own mother or sister, I recognize that this cannot be gained at one
jump. Social reformers as well as temperance reformers ought to avoid
impracticable extremes. But while we are working for the elevation
of the general moral tone of the people, is it not possible for the
Government to do more towards the discouraging of the evil than it is
doing? Can the Government do nothing towards making it easier for a
girl, longing for freedom and purity, to secure it? Can the Government
not do something to allow a girl to hide herself from the gaze of
voluptuous men rather than be driven by a wretch of a brothel-keeper to
sit for hours exposed to the gaze and the foul talk of vile men, for
the mere purpose of swelling the brothel-keeper’s income? Is the
Government doing all it can do, all it ought to do, towards making it
easier for any girl to keep out of a life of shame if she wishes to,
and at the same time make it harder for the keepers of these houses of
hell to capture and to retain these poor girls? With regard to these
two points the authorization of a girl by the Bureau of Prostitution,
and the permission for publicly exposing the inmates of a house of
prostitution to public gaze, Japan certainly is far behind other
civilized nations, and it is these two points that appear most hideous
to foreigners. Can not the newspapers of the country, who so powerfully
influence public opinion, do more than they are doing at present
towards changing the existing state of things?
Thanking you for your kindness in granting me your valuable space, and
inclosing my card, I remain,
Yours respectfully,
March 8th, 1899. Adjutor.
* * * * *
Dear Sir,—In commenting on a contributed article entitled “A Social
Question” in a recent issue, the editor states that he has not
studied the subject—licensed prostitution—sufficiently thoroughly and
dispassionately to record any authoritative opinion about it, but that
fact did not deter him from allowing his remarks to convey the idea
that he considers the present system the best that can be had under the
circumstances.
The writer _has made_ a study of the social evil question and hence
begs space for the following comments:
The statement that the community fares better under license than
under the alternative system—prohibition,—cannot be supported by
facts. On the contrary in Gumma and Wakayama provinces, which prohibit
prostitution, venereal diseases are no more prevalent than in places
under license—in fact the greatest percentage of venereal cases are to
be found in provinces and cities which license the evil. This ought
to settle the sanitary side of the question, and the fact that
under prohibition hundreds and thousands of powerless girls are freed
from the most damning form of moral slavery ought to settle the moral
side of the same.
The editor speaks of “efficient control,” conveying the idea that
the evil is actually being controlled and localized by license, but
such is far from being the case. Take the editor’s own city, Tōkyō,
for instance. There were in 1897, 6,393 licensed prostitutes and over
2,000 _geisha_ plying their trade according to law, but at the same
time there were between 3,000 and 5,000 women who plied their trade
secretly, that _were not controlled_, except the 304 who were arrested
for fornication.
The fact, that licence or no licence, the evil will exist to some
extent however, certainly does not justify the State in making its
existence easy and secure, for surely the proper idea of license is to
confine, lessen, and prohibit outside of certain specified places, but
a careful investigation will prove that the evil is not confined and
that instead of being lessened is actually augmented.
Because some women will sell their bodies and inhuman parents will sell
their daughters for immoral purposes does not justify the State in
becoming a partner to the transaction and making from 30 to 35 _yen_
per year on each girl as at present. Neither can the writer understand
how the general public is benefited by laws which compel helpless girls
to abide by the terms of contracts made by others going so far as to
fine and imprison those who attempt to escape from the brothels.
A case like the one cited, and there are thousands of such in Japan
to-day, _could not occur in either Gumma or Wakayama Ken_, neither
could anything very near it occur.
Trying to elevate the moral tone of society while leaving this question
as it is means a great loss of effort, as every one who has much
experience in reform work must know.
The State must withdraw its support and sanction and take the
only logical and safe position a State can take, that of absolute
prohibition of everything essentially evil, then we can have a much
better chance at elevating the moral tone of society.
As to the evil stalking about the streets in many European and American
cities, etc., the editor draws on his imagination or that of some one
else’s if he means to convey the idea that such is carried on to any
great extent. Hoping that the time is near at hand when the welfare
of helpless, innocent girls will receive consideration as well as the
safety and convenience of lustful men,
I am, yours for
Reform.
March 10th, 1809.
* * * * *
_Japan Times Editorial_, 14_th March_, 1899.
We feel considerable reluctance to take up the question of licensed
prostitution, it is too delicate in its nature and complicated in
its bearings to be a proper subject for journalistic discussions
which are unavoidably brief and incomplete and which, in the case of
questions like this, are particularly liable to become the source of
misunderstandings and misleading inferences. However, having already
ventured some remarks in connection with a recent communication on
this subject, we cannot very well refuse to take cognizance of some of
the points raised by the two other correspondents whose letters are
published in another column.
“Adjutor” says:—“That the majority of the girls filling the houses of
prostitution in this country are there not of their own free will,
but are practically held as slaves, is the current opinion among
Japanese.” We may ask our correspondent if the majority of the
unfortunate girls of the same class in other countries are not nearly
in the same predicament as their sisters in this country with regard
to the exercise of free will in the choice of their profession, the
only difference being in the nature of motives that influence their
decision. If misery, starvation and vicious habits constitute the
principal influences that drive women to the immoral calling in other
countries, the determining motive is here, in many cases, a mistaken
idea of filial piety. In either case, the choice is equally free or
otherwise, according to the way in which one likes to understand the
meaning of the expression “freedom of will.” This certainly has little
to do with the question of licensed prostitution. So long as some girls
are willing to enter upon a life of shame in obedience to mistaken
ideas of filial duty, and so long as society remains as it is, the
abolition of licensed prostitution will not prevent the occurrence of
cases like that of the girl mentioned by “White Ribbon.”
“Adjutor,” however, is not positively opposed to the system of licensed
prostitution, on the contrary, he is “ready to grant that, at least
for the present, it may be an open question whether the legal control
of the social evil is not perhaps the wiser course to pursue.” But
he is opposed to the manner in which the system is carried out and
maintained, and complains that the Government is not doing enough to
discourage the evil. He suggests that much improvement can be effected
if all legal sanction be removed from contracts which at present bind
the prostitutes to their employers, so that the latter, in the event
of the escape of their employees, may not be able to enforce the
contract. There is something in this suggestion, but we doubt very much
whether its adoption will not practically tend to make the lot of the
unfortunate girls harder than it now is. Supposing that the keeper of a
house of ill-fame had no legal means of proceeding against any girl who
may escape from his establishment, he will certainly take every
precaution to prevent such desertion. And what does this mean? It
inevitably means a complete curtailment of the liberty of his employees
who will then be no better than galley slaves. Our correspondent
may say: Why, the police can interfere in such cases. They can,
to a certain extent, but it is not to be expected that, however
assiduous and rigorous their exertions may be, their interference will
effectually prevent the unscrupulous and ingenious brothel-keepers
from exercising their oppressive control over the movements of the
prostitutes under them. The result will simply be an immense increase
in the hardships of the lot of those unfortunate creatures.
As to the charge that the Government is not doing enough to discourage
the social evil, all that we need say is that the police authorities,
before whom all girls about to enter upon a life of prostitution are
required to appear before official authorization is issued, are under
strict instructions to see that no unfair means have been employed to
force the girls against their will. And there have been a number of
cases where the discovery of the use of such unfair means has led to
the withdrawal of official authorization. We may, however grant that
the system as it is now carried out admits of reforms and improvement.
One of these is, as “Adjutor” points out, the abolition of the exposure
of the inmates of the houses of ill-fame to public gaze. We hope this
desirable change will be speedily carried out by the police authorities.
The other correspondent, “Reform,” who declares that he “has made a
study of the social evil question,” denies that “the community fares
better under license than under the alternative system.” He says that
“in Gumma and Wakayama provinces (_sic_), which prohibit prostitution,
venereal diseases are no more prevalent than in places under license,”
and that “in fact the greatest percentage of venereal cases are to
be found in provinces and cities which license the evil.” This
is a bold statement, a statement which certainly is not in accord
with the opinion of those scientific experts who have made a special
study of the matter. Unfortunately statistics are wanting, but it is a
well known fact that the sanitary authorities at the Home Office are
agreed in the verdict that venereal diseases are far more prevalent in
places where no public prostitution exists than localities where it is
licensed.
“Reform” takes exception to our expression “efficient control,” and
cites some figures about the existence of unlicensed prostitutes
in Tōkyō. We need hardly say that the expression was used in a
relative sense, no right-minded person will expect that the evil can
be controlled in an absolutely efficient manner. Neither will such
person deny that the relative freedom of the streets of Tōkyō from the
presence of those objectionable beings who swarm in cities claiming to
be more civilized and enlightened, is attributable to the system of
localization followed here. We do not of course expect that “Reform”
will recognize this fact unless he makes a short visit to his native
land and sees how the evil stalks about in the open streets in some
of the cities there. Such a trip will be of immense benefit to many
another social reformer.
Note on “Jigoku” or Illicit Prostitutes.
_The Jigoku_: These women are the legitimate representatives of the
ancient _Yo-taka_ (night-walker). The origin of the word “_Yo-taka_”
is given in an accepted Japanese encyclopœdia as follows: In the
eighteenth century, there was, in Yoshida Street, Tōkyō City, a house
called the “_Yotaka-ya_” (the sign of the “Night-hawk”) where women
repaired to be painted and decked out when the ravages of disease had
made them unpresentable. Thus women who were full of disease were
painted and made up to look like young girls, and old hags had their
eyebrows blackened with charcoal and their hair fashionably
dressed in order to add to their attractions. Many of these prostitutes
had their noses eaten away by syphilis, so they had the damage repaired
by coloured candle drippings. Among them were deaf, dumb, lame, persons
suffering from amaurosis and other maladies owing to syphilis which
preventing them from practising in a regular brothel. These whitened
their dirty complexions with powder, and the syphilitic sores and
wounds in their faces were filled up and concealed by cosmetics, while
the handkerchiefs which they bound round their heads did the rest, and
guarded against too close an inspection.
These women in their dirty, greasy cotton garments, haunted the public
streets, and might be seen by the sickly light of the waning moon,
flitting about like the spirits of the damned, hunting for victims.
They were in the habit of carrying with them a piece of matting or
a rug, the use of which was only too self-evident and requires no
explanation. They would accost passers-by with the utmost effrontery,
and the price of their favours was a few cash per night! During the
period 1711 to 1735, the nuisance grew so bad that a large number
of these women were compelled to become regular prostitutes, being
forcibly handed over to the Yoshiwara by the Government. From 1711 to
1746, the number of women who had been forced by the Government to
enter the Yoshiwara as regular courtesans, served their time there, and
been released was, according to a return made the 27th March, 1746,
just 246 women.
APPENDIX.
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE NIGHTLESS CITY.
Since the first edition of the “Nightless City” was published in June
1899, many changes tending to ameliorate the condition of prostitutes
have been made in the Japanese laws, and the writer believes it may
be of more than a passing interest to foreign readers to be presented
with a brief digest of the minute regulations at present governing the
Yoshiwara in Tōkyō.
One word of warning is, however, essential as a preliminary to what
follows. Taken as a whole, the rules are apparently well drafted and
seemingly just, but let not the reader be deceived by their plausible
provisions!
It must be remembered that, in a place inhabited by those whose
business is the unholy trade in human flesh and human honour, there
cannot be, broadly speaking, much room for benevolent sentiments and
deeds of mercy! Be assured that in the so-called “Nightless City,”
populated as it is by heartless bestial men and abandoned shameless
women, and frequented by bully, habitual criminal, and the scum of
creation, no laws or regulations, however wise or humane, can be made
completely effective! Notwithstanding all that has been, and is being
done, the Yoshiwara is a very inferno of black despair, for it is
the common resort of the most wicked and depraved of the male part
of the community who hold high carnival within its precincts. Once
entrapped in this grave of modesty and virtue—this home of concentrated
debauchery and sexual perversion—a woman becomes a virtual slave to the
brothel-keepers, many of whom set the law at defiance within the
four walls of their unhallowed dens, and, aided by toadying satellites,
terrorize and oppress the unfortunate females doomed to spend years
of misery with none but shameless libertines and strumpets for their
associates! Someone may ask—“If these women have legal rights, why
don’t they appeal to the police or to the Courts?” The question is
easily answered. Some few do, and out of these a certain number obtain
relief; but the majority suffer in silence owing to the very force of
circumstances and environment. Most are—naturally—quite uneducated,
do not know their rights, and are moreover possessed with a vague
indefinable sense of terror which prevents them from making a struggle
for independence. Others again, from a false sense of duty towards
relatives and friends (who have made themselves liable for debts
contracted with the brothel-keepers), refrain from making complaints
or raising trouble; and above all, the ancient customs of the quarter
die hard and hold the victims in their relentless clutches. The police,
from their familiarity with this class of women, are more or less harsh
and unsympathetic, and, to crown all, even the Supreme Court of the
Empire—to the unspeakable disgrace, of the judges—has decided that
debts incurred by prostitutes, although based upon a clearly immoral
consideration, are binding upon the women and their guarantors! With
the above preface, we will proceed to describe the present system
of control in force in the Yoshiwara, which is the largest and most
important of the brothel-quarters in the Tōkyō Urban Prefecture, and
therefore a typical institution.
The general status of persons engaged in the practice of prostitution
is defined in detail by Notification No. 44 “Regulations for the
Control of Prostitutes” issued by the Home Office on the 2nd October,
1900, under the signature of the late Marquis Saigo Tsugumichi, then
Minister of State for Home Affairs. This Notification applies to the
whole Empire, but various supplementary rules ancillary thereto provide
for the control of prostitute quarters in the different prefectures.
The regulations prescribe (_inter alia_) that no female under eighteen
years of age can either become a licensed prostitute or pursue her
calling until her name has been actually inscribed on a “Register of
Prostitutes” (_Shōgi Meibō_) to be kept in the Police Station having
jurisdiction within the locality, and that all women thus registered
are subject to the control of the Police authorities.
In order to safeguard inexperienced applicants as far as possible,
females desirous to prostitute themselves are required to appear
personally at the Police Station, where they are closely interrogated
and warned against taking the fatal step. They are then required to
file a document giving full details as to the following matters, viz:—
(1) The reason and necessity for becoming a prostitute.
(2) The date of birth.
(3) As to whether the consent of her nearest ascendant relative, or
the head of her family, has been obtained.
(4) As to whether (in the case of a minor) the consent of her real
father, or failing him the consent of either her (_a_) real
mother, (_b_) real grandfather, or (_c_) real grandmother
(in the preferential order given) has been obtained.
(5) The place where she proposes to engage in prostitution.
(6) Residence subsequent to registration.
(7) Present means of livelihood; and if supported by some other
person, the facts.
(8) As to whether she has previously practised prostitution or not,
and, if so, the date of commencement and relinquishment; the
place, her former residence, and the reason for her having
discontinued the business.
(9) Special name to be adopted by the prostitute while in the brothel.
(10) The proposed term of service.
(11) Any supplementary details specially demanded by the Authorities
in the various Prefectures.
To further guard against fraud and forgery, the above application must,
in every case, be accompanied by:—
(1) A copy of personal registration (_koseki-tōhon_) certified to by
the Registrar.
(2) Documents of consent (_shōdaku-sho_) signed and sealed by the
proper parties.
(3) Certificates of the seals of the consenting parties
(_shōdaku-sha no inkan shōmei-sho_) duly verified by the heads of
cities (_shi_), districts (_ku_), towns (_chō_) or villages
(_son_).
The Police may, in the exercise of their free discretion, refuse to
enroll any applicant, but, when the application is granted, the woman
is bound to submit to a preliminary medical examination at the hands
of the physician on duty in accordance with the rules in force in the
various administrative districts.
Women who have been prohibited from carrying on business as
prostitutes, or giving up the life, have their name obliterated from
the Police Registers. In the case of voluntary retirement, the
applicant is, as a general rule, required to attend personally and
prefer her request either in writing or orally, but the Police have
discretion to dispense with personal attendance if they deem such
attendance to be unnecessary under certain circumstances. No person can
object to the cancellation of a registration, and any person proved
guilty of causing entries to be made in the registers against the will
of a woman is punishable with fine or imprisonment.
Once enrolled on the register of prostitutes, the woman’s freedom of
action is naturally much circumscribed, as she is neither allowed
to exercise her calling except in a licensed brothel, nor to reside
outside the district assigned to houses of ill-fame by the various
Prefectural Governments. Moreover, she cannot leave the appointed
precincts for any purpose other than that of attending at a Police
Station, unless, indeed, she has received permission from the police,
or is acting in accordance with some law or regulation, or in
conformity with some official order. When, however, the local laws
allow her freedom within certain fixed limits, the above restrictions
are varied _mutatis mutandis_.
To prevent coercion and unwarranted interference with the private
concerns of women inhabiting brothels, Article 12 of the Notification
provides that it is unlawful for any person to prevent them from
enjoying the rights of free communication and interviews with friends,
freely receiving and perusing letters and papers, owning and possessing
articles, making purchases, and other rights of personal liberty.
Persons infringing these provisions are liable to major imprisonment
for a term not exceeding 25 days, or a fine of not exceeding Yen 25
(say U. S. $12.50 or £2 10/- sterling).
All women whose names are inscribed on the Police Registers are obliged
to submit to periodical physical inspection, and if found suffering
from any contagious disease, or any sickness incapacitating them, they
are suspended, under pain of fine or imprisonment, from continuing
their business pending treatment and the obtaining of a certificate of
complete recovery.
As previously stated, the Police Authorities have discretion in the
matter of granting or withholding licenses. Prefectural Governors may
either suspend or prohibit the trade of prostitution, and the various
Prefectural Governments are empowered to issue further detailed
regulations within the scope of the Notification.
Women who were actually engaged in public prostitution when the new
regulations came into effect in 1900, were registered without being
required to make any of the formal applications hereinbefore mentioned.
There are several penal clauses in the Notification, imposing fines or
major imprisonment on persons infringing the various regulations.
Brothels (_kashi-zashiki_), introducing-tea-houses (_hikite-jaya_)
and prostitutes (shōgi) are further governed in the Tōkyō Urban
Prefecture by Notification No. 37 issued on the 6th September, 1900, by
the Tōkyō Metropolitan Police Board, under the signature of Mr. Ōura
Kanetake, Commissary of Police. This Notification, which superseded
Notification No. 40 issued in July 1896, provides (_inter alia_) that
brothel-keeping, the keeping of introducing-tea-houses, and public
prostitution can only be carried on within the limits of certain
quarters (_yūkwaku_) determined by the Metropolitan Police Board;
but an exception to this rule is made in favour of persons who up
to the time of the promulgation of the Notification had carried on
business outside such quarters, and of the successors (_sōzoku-nin_) of
such persons.
Persons desirous of engaging in the businesses of brothel-keeping or
“tea-house-keeping” are required to submit plans and all details of the
buildings to the Police, and to obtain a license. The same applies when
any change is made in the buildings. As a precaution against accidents,
staircases of a certain width have to be provided, and for every 1080
(30 tsubos) feet increase in the superficial area an extra staircase is
required. The legal maximum width of these staircases is four feet, and
the minimum three feet.
No building can be used until officially inspected, approved, and
licensed, and no buildings of three-stories and upwards, calculated to
attract the public gaze, can be erected outside the brothel-quarters.
Buildings at present existing are to be made to conform to these
requirements upon the occasion of extensive repairing or rebuilding.
Brothel-keepers are only allowed to attend to their own particular
business, and are absolutely forbidden, under pain of having their
licenses cancelled or suspended, to further engage in the businesses of
restaurant-keepers or _geisha_ (singing girl) keepers. The carrying on
of such secondary businesses was stopped on the 1st October, 1900.
Licenses will be cancelled if business is not commenced within three
months, or if suspended for twelve months, and all changes of personal
status, change of domicile, etc., etc., are to be reported to the
Police within three days.
Dancing, singing, music, etc., is forbidden after midnight in brothels
and tea-houses outside the actual brothel districts; and such
establishments are forbidden to display attractive sign-boards, bright
lamps and lanterns, etc., which produce a showy appearance in the road.
Keepers of brothels and tea-houses are bound to provide guest registers
(_yūkyaku-jin-meibō_) and to enter therein a minute description of all
guests. These registers have to be stamped by the Police, and if lost
or damaged the Police must be notified within three days.
In order to check the movements of employees, brothel-keepers and
tea-house-keepers are prohibited from engaging employees who possess
no “_Employee’s Book_” (“_yatoinin-meibō_”), and when engaging or
discharging persons, the Police have to be notified, within three days,
of the status, domiciles, names, and ages, etc., of such parties.
To prevent secret prostitution in brothels, brothel-keepers are bound
to report to the Police, within twenty-four hours, the presence of any
woman lodging in their houses.
For the protection of the public, brothel-keepers and “introducing
tea-houses” are strictly enjoined; (1) not to force guests to consume
food and drink not voluntarily ordered; (2) not to send out touts
(_kyaku-hiki_) or to induce people to dissipate either by means of
advertisements or other means; (3) not to harbour persons under age or
students and pupils wearing the insignia of schools or colleges; (4)
not to conceal the presence of guests or deny persons interviews with
guests; (5) not to accept clothes or other articles from guests in lieu
of cash payment, or in pledge, except the guest has accompanied
the keeper to the Police Station, and consented to such transaction in
the presence of a Police Officer.
In order to prevent brothel or tea-house keepers from evading
responsibility, they are required to obey all instructions given by the
Police in connection with the control of their businesses; and they are
moreover held personally responsible for the laches and torts of their
servants, or members of their household, in regard to business matters.
For the purpose of maintaining public order in the streets of the
brothel quarters, the planting of flowering trees and shrubs, organized
decorations, and spectacular shows are forbidden unless the sanction
of the Police has first been obtained. Outside the quarters the Police
absolutely prohibit any public displays connected with the brothels or
tea-houses; and in the case of outside brothels the regulations require
the rooms to be so screened as to be practically invisible from the
public road. Such houses are also forbidden to expose their bedding[65]
to public view.
To protect women from harsh treatment, brothel-keepers are strictly
prohibited from treating inmates in a cruel manner, and forbidden to
compel them to incur needless expenditure. In case of sickness, the
brothel-keepers are bound to provide medicine and medical attendance;
and in order that the girls may be made aware of their rights under the
law, it is provided that a copy of the regulations shall be posted up
in each brothel in a conspicuous place where it can be easily seen and
read by all whom it may concern. While the law is thus solicitous for
the welfare of the women, they are by no means allowed too much
license, for the regulations provide that any infringement thereof by
the prostitutes shall be notified to the Police by the brothel-keepers
obtaining knowledge of such infringement.
For the purpose of localizing prostitution as far as possible,
introducing tea-houses are forbidden to allow either guests, public
women, or _geisha_ (singing and dancing girls) to lodge or sleep
therein.
To simplify the work of the Police and to ensure a more efficient
control over these haunts of vice, the regulations provide for an
elaborate system of what might be termed “local self-government,” in
which all classes concerned participate in a greater or lesser degree.
Article 26 of Notification No. 37 of the Metropolitan Police Board
says:—“Brothel-keepers, introducing tea-house keepers, and prostitutes,
belonging to each and every brothel-district, shall form a Guild
(_Kumi-ai_) and frame a constitution[66] therefor. Notice thereof shall
be given to the Metropolitan Police Board through the Police Station
having jurisdiction, and permission obtained in respect thereto. When
the constitution is revised or altered, the same rule applies.”
The Guilds are required to elect a director (_tori-shimari_) and
a vice-director (_fuku-tori-shimari_), but the Police possess the
power of vetoing such appointments, may cancel their approval of
appointments, or may order fresh election. Directors of Guilds attend
to the collective interests of the members, and are bound to notify the
members of all changes in the laws and regulations, and of the
purport of any special instructions issued by the authorities.
Articles 30 to 39 (inclusive) of Notification No. 37 deal in detail
with the status of prostitutes, and provide (_inter alia_) that in case
of an alteration of the term of service the same must be registered in
the Police Station; that no woman may live or practice outside licenced
houses; that if she changes her house such change must be notified to
the Police under the joint signatures of herself and the keeper of the
brothel in which she is presently staying; that changes of residence
must be registered at the Police Station; that when a woman removes to
a brothel situated in another jurisdiction, the change must be notified
through the Police having jurisdiction over her former residence; that
all changes of names, status, pseudonyms, fees charged (_age-dai_),
suspensions and resumptions of business must be notified to the Police
within three days. The regulations further provide that prostitutes may
only hire as servants such persons as are possessed of “_Employee’s
Books_,” and that when employees are engaged or discharged the facts
are to be notified to the Police within three days; that they shall
submit to certain physical inspections prescribed as necessary to
prevent the communication of venereal disease; that they shall not
leave the brothel-quarters without official permission, and that they
shall respect all special orders of the Police. The women are also
forbidden to appear outside the quarters dressed in a loud or showy
manner, or to loiter about in the public road or a place visible from a
public road.
Articles 40 to 46 (inclusive) of Notification No. 37 provide for
a complete system of control over employees of brothels,
tea-houses, and prostitutes. Such persons are required to carry with
them pass-books wherein are set down particulars of their service
record, and details of any punishments they may have undergone. All the
movements of employees are thus known to the Police, who inspect and
seal the books from time to time, and who have power to confiscate the
books and thus prevent the subsequent employment of persons offending
against the regulations. If a book be damaged or lost, application for
a new book must be made within three days, and, should the bearer of a
book entirely quit his employment, an application for cancellation of
the same must also be made within three days.
In case the proprietor of a brothel or introducing tea-house is a minor
of less than twelve years, or an incompetent person (_kinji-san-sha_)
his legal representative (_hōtei dairi-nin_) may be held
responsible for his acts. In the case of a quasi-incompetent person
(_jun-kinji-san-sha_), his curator (_hosa-nin_) may be held responsible.
In case of an infringement of the regulations by a juridical person
(corporation) the managing member (_gyōmu-tantō-nin_) may be punished
by a police fine.
Details of “_Employees_” Books.
These are made of strong Japanese “_Mino_” paper, folded in four, and
contain at least six such sheets. The cover is made of stout paper and
the whole is bound together with an extra sheet at the back which is
pasted securely to both covers (_fukuro-toji_). Remarks which should
properly be entered by the Police cannot be entered by the holder.
Roughly speaking, the books are divided into two portions; (_a_)
entries _re_ employer, employment, discharge, and date; (_b_) _re_
changes in personal registration, domicile, or name; also _re_ actions
of the authorities.
The form of the books is as follows:—
(Front) (Back)
+---------------------------------+----------------------------------+
| Date | Caution to employee carrying |
| | this book. |
| EMPLOYEE’S BOOK. | |
| | -------------------------------- |
| | |
| | 1.—Changes in registration of |
| | citizenship, domicile, or |
| | name, the date, and details |
| | of such changes must be |
| | personally entered. |
| | |
| | 2.—When employed or discharged, |
| | the date, house-name, and |
| | name of the employer, as |
| | well as all facts |
| | concerning such engagement |
| | and discharge, must be |
| _Name_ ______________________ | personally entered. |
| Of No. _____________ (name of | |
| village, town, district, | 3.—This book must be |
| county, prefecture, or urban | constantly carried with you. |
| prefecture) | |
| | |
| _Lodging at_ c/o _____________ | Date _________________ |
| No. __________ (name of | |
| village, town, district, | |
| county, prefecture, or urban | |
| prefecture). | No. __________ [Seal of the |
| | Police Station |
| | having |
| | jurisdiction.] |
+---------------------------------+----------------------------------+
Specimen entries in an Employee’s book.
+---------------------------------+----------------------------------+
| Changes in registration of | Employer and date of being |
| citizenship, personal status, | engaged and discharged. |
| domicile, and name. | |
| | |
| ------------------------------- | -------------------------------- |
| _Removed_ on the _____ day of | _Employed_ on the (___date___) |
| the ___ month of the ____ year, | by (____name____) of the (name |
| to No. ____ (name of village, | of brothel or tea-house) of |
| town, district, county or | No.____(ward) Shin-Yoshiwara. |
| prefecture.) | |
| | |
| _Removed_ on the ______ day of | _Discharged_ on the (___date___) |
| (same as above.) | by the aforesaid (____name____) |
| | upon the expiration of the term |
| | of service. |
+---------------------------------+----------------------------------+
| Matter of Disposition. |
| |
| Punished by the imposition of |
| a police-fine of (amount) on |
| account of (offence). |
| |
| Date _________ |
| _____________ _Police-Station_. |
+---------------------------------+
The Medical Inspection of Prostitutes.
Notification No. 39 of the Metropolitan Police Board, issued on the
10th October, 1900, under the signature of Ōura Kanetake, Commissary of
Police, which superseded Notification No. 22 of March, 1894, provides
for the medical inspection of public women as follows:
All prostitutes are to undergo both regular and special inspections.
Regular inspection is to take place once a week, and the days appointed
in Tōkyō are:—
+---------------------------------+----------------------------------+
| District. | Inspection Days. |
+---------------------------------+----------------------------------+
| | |
| Shin-Yoshiwara | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and |
| | Thursday. |
+---------------------------------+----------------------------------+
| Susaki | Friday and Saturday. |
+---------------------------------+----------------------------------+
| Shinagawa | Monday. |
+---------------------------------+----------------------------------+
| Natiō Shinjuku | Wednesday. |
+---------------------------------+----------------------------------+
| Senju-machi and Minami | Thursday. |
| Senju-machi | |
+---------------------------------+----------------------------------+
| Itabashi-machi | Saturday. |
+---------------------------------+----------------------------------+
| Hachiōji-machi | Friday. |
+---------------------------------+----------------------------------+
| Fuchū-machi | Tuesday. |
+---------------------------------+----------------------------------+
| Chōfu-machi | Tuesday. |
+---------------------------------+----------------------------------+
Special Inspection takes Place:—
(1) When a woman becomes a prostitute.
(2) When a woman has been resting outside the brothel to which she is
attached, and is going to resume her calling after the lapse of seven
days.
(3) When a patient is about to be discharged from a hospital.
(4) When a patient who has been sick has recovered her health and is
about to resume her calling.
(5) When a woman discovers that she is infected.
(6) When a special inspection is considered necessary or expedient by
the physicians.
The special inspection days in Tōkyō are:—
+---------------------------------+----------------------------------+
| District. | Inspection Days. |
+---------------------------------+----------------------------------+
| | |
| Shin-Yoshiwara | Every day except Sunday. |
| | |
+---------------------------------+----------------------------------+
| Susaki | Every day except Sunday. |
+---------------------------------+----------------------------------+
| Shinagawa-machi | Monday, Wednesday, Friday and |
| | Saturday. |
+---------------------------------+----------------------------------+
| Natiō Shinjuku-machi | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and |
| | Friday. |
+---------------------------------+----------------------------------+
| Senju-machi and Minami | Tuesday, Thursday, Friday |
| Senju-machi | and Saturday. |
+---------------------------------+----------------------------------+
| Itabashi-machi | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and |
| | Saturday. |
+---------------------------------+----------------------------------+
| Hachiōji-machi | Monday, Thursday, Friday and |
| | Saturday. |
+---------------------------------+----------------------------------+
| Fuchū-machi | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and |
| | Saturday. |
+---------------------------------+----------------------------------+
| Chōfu-machi | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and |
| | Saturday. |
+---------------------------------+----------------------------------+
Upon being inscribed upon the _Registers of Prostitutes_, new-comers
are to be examined, on one of the special inspection days, by the
surgeons of the Inspection Office (_Kensa-jo_). Special provisions are
made to meet all cases needing inspection, and the regulations require
all infected women to enter the Lock Hospital for proper treatment
under penalty of a fine of not exceeding _Yen_ 1.95 (U.S. $0.97-1⁄2, or
a little under 4/-s sterling.) Patients intending to leave the hospital
must procure a certificate (_shindan-sho_) from the President of
the hospital. As a regular thing, examinations are to be conducted
between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., and at the close of each such
examination the woman is to procure a sealed certificate of inspection
(_juken-shōsho_) from the surgeon.
[Illustration: Outside the Yoshiwara Lock Hospital on “Inspection Day.”]
Hospital Regulations.
Various regulations exist, but those of the great Yoshiwara Lock
Hospital are typical of the others. They were revised in March 1900,
and provide substantially as follows:—
Object of the Hospital.—The hospital is established for the purpose
of treating prostitutes who are suffering from venereal diseases,
consumption, and other contagious maladies contracted or developed in
the Yoshiwara brothel-quarters.
Staff.—The permanent staff consists of about fifty people, including
several surgeons, a secretary, four pharmacists, nurses, clerks,
servants, etc., and is presided over by a chief doctor. The hospital
arrangements are subject to Police supervision.
Medical Staff.—The patients must be visited at least twice a day, and
on each occasion details of their condition and treatment entered in a
report sheet (_byōshō nis-shi_) for the information of the President.
In case of serious illness or slow recovery the matter must be reported
to the President, and should the symptoms denote immediate danger, the
brothel-keeper of the woman’s house must be notified forthwith. Upon
recovery, the report sheet has to be signed by the attendant physician,
after which the President himself has to examine the patient. It is
the duty of the doctors to prescribe the diet of patients, to
instruct and supervise the nurse to see that all necessary instruments
are provided and kept in proper condition; and each of the doctors are
bound to take night-duty alternately. To prevent scandal and collusion,
the doctors are prohibited from entering the wards unless accompanied
by a nurse, and, as a precaution against incurring unnecessary risks in
treatment, surgical operations can only be performed with the approval
of the President. When not otherwise engaged, the hospital doctors may
employ their leisure time in making medical investigations, and may,
subject to the permission of the President, publish the results of
their labours in this direction.
Records, Accounts, Statistics and Reports.—Proper records must be
kept of the work and accounts of the hospital, the admissions and
discharges, and a monthly and yearly report prepared containing
detailed statistics. Monthly reports must be prepared by the 5th of the
following month, and the annual report by the 10th of January of the
following year. The chief pharmacist is also bound to prepare a daily
report of all drugs dispensed and to submit same to the President.
Sundry.—Detailed rules are laid down for keeping the bedding and
premises in a clean and sanitary condition, for disinfection, etc.; and
for the control of the nurses.
Salaries.—That the staff of the hospital is very much underpaid will be
recognized upon perusal of the following scale of monthly salaries:
+-----------------+-----------+------------------+------------------+
| | Yen. | U.S. $ | £ Sterling. |
+-----------------+-----------+------------------+------------------+
|President | 80 to 150 | 40 to 75 | 8 to 15 |
|Vice-President | 50 “ 80 | 25 “ 40 | 5 “ 8 |
|Physicians | 25 “ 50 | 12-1⁄2 “ 25 | 2.10/- “ 5 |
|Secretary | 20 “ 30 | 10 “ 15 | 2 “ 3 |
|Chief Pharmacist | 25 “ 50 | 12-1⁄2 “ 25 | 2.10/- “ 5 |
|Pharmacist | 10 “ 25 | 5 “ 12-1⁄2 | 1 “ 2.10/-|
|Clerks | 10 “ 25 | 5 “ 12-1⁄2 | 1 “ 2.10/-|
|Chief Nurse | 10 “ 20 | 5 “ 10 | 1 “ 2 |
|Nurses | 3 “ 10 | 1-1⁄2 “ 5 | 0.6/- “ 1 |
|Servants | 4 “ 10 | 2 “ 5 | 0.8/- “ 1 |
+-----------------+-----------+------------------+------------------+
_P.S._—If absent for upwards of two weeks, no salary is paid for the
current month, and if absent for upwards of one month they may be
discharged from the service. The rules do not, however, apply in cases
of sickness.
Financial.—Funds for the support of the hospital are raised by way of
forced contributions from the brothel-keepers of the Yoshiwara, and the
basis of the annual expenditure is a written estimate prepared prior
to the 20th March every year by the President of the institution and
the Director of the Brothel-keepers Guild, and approved by the Police
authorities. In case of a deficiency occurring, steps may be taken to
make good the same by the President and Director acting in concert.
Alteration of Hospital Regulations.—When necessary, the regulations
may be altered by the President of the hospital and the Director and
Vice-Director of the Guild acting in concert, provided that the
consent of the Police authorities has been obtained to the proposed
changes.
Sick-Rooms and Sanitary Precautions.—The regulations require that
separate wards[67] be provided for various classes of patients, and
that contagious cases be properly segregated; also that the premises
be kept swept and clean, and all infected matter be destroyed by fire.
Bedding and towels are not to be used promiscuously, sheets are to be
disinfected by means of hot steam, spittoons containing a 5% solution
of carbolic acid are to be provided, table utensils are to be washed in
hot water containing corrosive sublimate (1 in a 1000), infected waste
paper must be burnt, and even waste paper which is not infected must
not be sold until properly disinfected. Patients who have obtained
permission from the physicians are bound to take a bath every morning
before the periodical examination.
Visitors.—Are not allowed in the wards or rooms unless the patient
is unable to move and special permission has been obtained from
the physician in attendance. Visitors may, however, under certain
conditions, see patients between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. in a room
(_ōsetsu-jo_) set apart for that purpose.
Rules for Patients.—While under treatment, patients are required to
be civil and respectful in their language and demeanour towards the
members of the hospital staff, to wear the regular cotton dresses
worn by all inmates, and to observe the regulations governing
the institution. No patient is allowed to leave the hospital while
under treatment. Patients are required to do their hair up in a simple
style, to refrain from entering other wards or rooms except for
proper reasons, to refrain from wearing the thick-soled high sandals
(_takazōri_) ordinarily worn in brothels, to carefully place all
waste-paper in the receptacles provided, to refrain from creating noise
or disorder, singing, quarreling, and scribbling nonsense on the walls
or furniture. They are also prohibited from lending or borrowing money,
gambling, etc.; and (except with the permission of the physicians) from
taking food and drugs brought in from outside. In case of wishing to
make purchases outside the hospital, permission must be obtained from
the physicians through the nurses.
Exercise.—Exercise may be taken daily in the hospital gardens within
prescribed hours.
Complaints.—Complaints against the nurses or other persons must be made
direct to the physicians in attendance.
As to the actual working of the Yoshiwara Hospital, some caustic
remarks, contained in a book entitled _Yūkiwaku no Rimen_ (遊廓の裏面
“_Behind the scenes in the brothel-quarters_”) published in Tōkyō in
1903, are appended. In the course of an exceedingly severe arraignment,
the author says substantially as follows:—
“The filthy state of the Yoshiwara Hospital, and its utter lack of
proper appointments, is so notorious that it is hardly necessary
for us to dwell upon this particular phase of the subject; but we
propose to enquire into some of the details of the institution.
When we try to picture to ourselves what a hospital is, or should
be like, we naturally imagine a fine lofty building surrounded
by beautiful green trees, grateful shrubs and flowering plants,
containing well-ventilated wards kept scrupulously neat and clean
and furnished with beds covered with snowy-white counterpanes free
from even a suspicion of stain or dirt; but the Yoshiwara Hospital
is indeed far from being like that. We are tempted to compare it to
a prison, but, as a matter of fact, a prison like the Sugamo Gaol is
far more clean and complete, so from the point of general dirtiness
and disorder the comparison would be quite inappropriate! The sick
rooms have an area of from about 144 to 180 square feet, and as many
as twelve or thirteen people are sometimes collected together in such
stuffy chambers. The inmates often sleep two in a bed, and women
belonging to different brothels, who are indeed entire strangers to
each other, share the same couch. As to their treatment, they are
medically examined twice a day, they have to pay for their own food,
and although attendance and medicine is supposed to be supplied by the
brothel-keepers, the patients have to get the money from their masters
in the form of a loan and repay it in due course. Even in these
expensive times, when living is far dearer than formerly, it appears
that the cost of the regular hospital food is only estimated at from
7 to 8 _sen_ (3-1⁄2 to 4 cents U.S. money or say 2d in sterling), so
that for the women to be supplied with appetizing or nourishing food
is simply impossible. The food they actually get three times a day is
far worse than good prison fare, and consists of:—
(1) In morning: boiled barley and rice mixed (baku-han).
(2) At noon: boiled barley and rice mixed (_baku-han_), some
vegetables or a small fish.
(3) In the evening: boiled barley and rice mixed (_baku-han_) and
some indigestible malodorous pickled vegetables (kō-no-mono).
“Periodical examination of all prostitutes takes place once a week,
the different streets each having special days. For instance if
Edo-chō It-chō-me has its inspection on Friday, the inspection of
Ageya-machi will be on a Wednesday. When the inspection time arrives,
the name of each prostitute is called by turn, and one by one each
undergoes a local examination. If a woman is visibly infected, the
doctor orders her into hospital, but prior to her entering the
establishment she is permitted to temporarily return to her brothel,
where she makes up a bundle of such little things as she needs and,
accompanied by a servant of the house, proceeds to the hospital
and applies for admission. In the hospital several nurses are in
attendance, but while the name ‘nurse’ sounds fine enough in itself,
the women who bear this title are terrible females, something like
the old brothel hags (_yarite_) themselves, and are ready to do
anything for a consideration. For this reason, the prostitutes need
some pocket-money when entering the hospital, and if they only are
provided with this they have very little trouble in getting their
whims gratified in every respect. After a prostitute has been in the
hospital three or four days, if she happens to be a popular woman, the
brothel-keeper, and others who lose by her absence, do their best,
by judicious presents, to get her discharged as soon as possible,
so she is not put to any great inconvenience. On the other hand, if
the woman is an unknown new comer, or unpopular, she is treated in
a manner painful to witness, only getting what may be given to her
out of sheer pity by one of the senior prostitutes of the brothel to
which she belongs. The moment they hear the signal for dinner,
these wretched girls rush into the dining hall, and scrambling for
food devour it in the same greedy wolfish manner as we can imagine
the hungry spirits doing in the Buddhist hell! As to the condition
of the inmates of the hospital, most of them spend their time in
reading obscene novels and stories, but this does not last long, and
they begin to discuss their guests and the men they know, to talk
about their lovers, to sing, and to make abusive remarks about their
masters and the servants in their respective brothels. Or they dance
and skip about, play cards, write begging letters, and generally raise
a pandemonium as if the institution was a low-class boarding-house.
Such being the conditions of this horrible place, with the exception
perhaps of a few disappointed women, or women who get on badly with
the brothel-keeper, the prostitutes regard with dread the ordeal of
entering the hospital. The majority of the public place considerable
faith in the efficacy of the medical examination, but they are
woefully mistaken in thinking that immunity from disease is secured
by such inspection, because many of the doctors of the prostitute
quarters are miserable quacks, apparently regardless of their conduct,
and so venal that they receive bribes from the brothel-keepers to
deliberately pass unchallenged women who are plainly affected with
venereal diseases—an act as dangerous as letting loose wild tigers
to prey upon the public! Not only that, but some of the youngster
assistant doctors who, though of course licensed, are still in the
course of perfecting their medical knowledge by practical training,
often intentionally overlook serious cases which, unless treated in
the hospital, are incurable and likely to spread infection. This is
done partly out of sympathy and partly for the sake of winning
popularity with some of these ill-famed wenches who know so well
exactly how to bewitch the impressionable young men with their
sidelong looks and amorous glances. No doubt it is very wrong, but
then what a potent influence for good or bad there is in the eye of a
young and pretty woman! Moreover, many of the girls are in collusion
with their masters for the purpose of hoodwinking the examiners. These
girls employ some of the low quacks who haunt the quarters to make
preliminary inspections, and if they are found infected and likely
to be ordered into hospital on the examination day, they get ‘fixed
up’ for the official inspection by having the inflamed parts treated
with medicinal applications which temporarily, but effectually,
conceal all visible symptoms of disease. For those reasons, it is
by no means safe to put one’s trust in the medical inspection. But
these are not the only tricks of the trade. It sometimes happens that
the quacks discover cases which it is impossible to conceal from the
examiners by any known method of ‘fixing,’ and when this happens, the
brothel-keepers often request the mercenary charlatans to prepare
false certificates stating that a change of air is necessary. Armed
with these certificates, keepers pretend that the patient has gone
into the country, whereas she is carefully hidden in the house and
secretly treated by the quacks. The consequence of this is that
many women who are actually in attendance on guests, and apparently
healthy, are a frightful menace to society and dangerous as the sharp
points of poisoned needles concealed in a bag, whose awful pricks
spread death and desolation in the paths of those with whom they
come into contact. As to the sanitary conditions of the quarters,
the laws of hygiene are utterly defied, for notwithstanding the
exterior splendour of the palaces of vice in the Yoshiwara, filthiness
is the order of the day, and in unseen corners, and dirty yards and
alleys, lie heaps of festering garbage containing the germs of every
imaginable form of virulent disease. While some attempt is made to
detect venereal maladies by means of periodical inspections, internal
diseases are practically left uncared for, therefore the callous
and selfish brothel-keepers, taking advantage of this fact, are apt
to force girls (who are really ill and ought to be inmates of a
hospital ward) to wait on guests, and allow women suffering from such
sicknesses as consumption and syphilitic eye diseases to continue
their calling. Partly owing to the heartlessness of the masters, and
partly owing to their carelessness in matters of sanitation, many
instances have occurred where women have not only communicated to
their guests the most loathsome diseases, but actually died from
illness while sleeping beside their patrons. Decency forbids a too
close description of all the horrors of these brothels, but one or two
more instances of the terrible inattention to sanitary precautions
may be pardoned. In some of the smaller houses the keepers are too
mean to provide daily baths, so it often happens that the women appear
before their guests innocent of the use of soap and water. In these
houses the girls are treated like veritable dogs and cats, and remain
year in and year out in cramped unclean chambers, known as _kwambeya_,
furnished with dirty ragged bedding which is so filthy that it gives
off a strong sweaty effluvium! In these dens, owing to the absence
of hot water, the inmates are supposed to wash in cold water, but
in the winter-time the low temperature causes them to dread their
ablutions, and so the risk of infection to themselves and guests
is materially increased. On the other hand, when they do cleanse
themselves as expected, the frequent application of cold water results
in bringing on various forms of uterine affections and dooming the
unfortunate wretches to life-long misery. In the alleys where the
restaurants (_daiya_) stand, lie piles of mouldy fish-bones, rejected
articles of food in a high state of putrefaction, and even heaps of
excrement, all vieing with each other in the exhalation of offensive
and poisonous odours, and advertising far and wide the ‘sanitary’
ideas of the charming residents of this sink of corruption. Thus are
the laws of hygiene observed in the great Yoshiwara of Tōkyō!”
Whether the author’s scathing denunciations of the medical staff of
the Yoshiwara are justified or otherwise is not known, but, collating
the results of enquiries instituted, the writer is of the opinion that
the allegations are somewhat sensational, although of course scandals
may occasionally arise, and it must be remembered that the miserable
salaries paid are not likely to tempt high-class practitioners to
remain in the service for any great length of time. That a host of
shady quacks haunt the quarters and assist the brothel-keepers to
enable the women to hoodwink the regular examiners is, the writer is
informed on reliable authority, a sober fact, and it is probable that
in some cases the official doctors have to bear the opprobium of sins
committed by these unscrupulous outside charlatans.
As to the gross inattention to sanitary methods charged against the
denizens of this immense social sewer, it is probably impossible to
exaggerate the mephitic abominations of the disgusting place, or to
overestimate the danger of infection run by its thoughtless
frequenters in consequence of the virulent disease-germs which are
incubated in and infest every hole and corner of the unclean stews,
vitiating the atmosphere and spreading the seeds of sickness and death
far and near.
The monthly report sheets of the hospital contain blanks analysing the
various forms of disease as follows:—
INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
_Syphilis_
1 Primary sclerosis and ulcers.
2 Painless buboes.
3 Disease of the lymphatic glands.
4 Skin diseases.
5 Diseases of the mucous membranes.
6 Opthalmia.
7 Diseases of the bones and periosts.
8 Diseases of the joints.
9 Diseases of the muscles.
10 Diseases of the viscera and brain.
11 Soft chancres.
12 Acute buboes.
13 Gonorrhœa.
14 Itch.
15 Tuberculosis.
16 Unenumerated.
NON-INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
17 Diseases of the digestive organs.
18 Diseases of the respiratory organs.
19 Diseases of the circulatory organs.
20 Diseases of the urinary organs.
21 Diseases of the generative organs.
22 Diseases of the nerves and sensitive organs.
23 Diseases affecting the general development and
nutrition of the body.
24 Diseases of the skin and muscles.
25 Diseases of the bones and joints.
26 Surgical diseases.
27 Unenumerated.
Medical Statistics.
The medical statistics of the Yoshiwara for seven years (1898 to 1904
inclusive) are as follows:—
+------+--------------+-----------------+----------+-----------------+
| Year.| Number of | Number of | Infected | Number of guest |
| | inspections. | infected cases. | per 100. | entertained. |
+------+--------------+-----------------+----------+-----------------+
| 1898 | 134,602 | 7,506 | 5.58 | 1,237,885 |
| 1899 | 108,268 | 5,333 | 4.95 | 1,367,639 |
| 1900 | 108,109 | 5,117 | 4.76 | 1,428,136 |
| 1901 | 108,572 | 4,864 | 4.48 | 1,157,492 |
| 1902 | 107,260 | 4,635 | 4.33 | 1,065,674 |
| 1903 | 106,121 | 5,006 | 4.74 | 1,167,969 |
| 1904 | 119,148 | 8,592 | 7.22 | 1,285,424 |
+------+--------------+-----------------+----------+-----------------+
The figures show that during seven years the average ratio of infection
was 5.18 per 100, but whether these show the true facts of the case is
hard to determine. However, they have the merit of being “official”
even if somewhat erroneous.
Taking into consideration the above results, it appears that the
figures for the whole Empire given in the “_Annual Report of the
Central Sanitary Bureau of the Home Department_” (published in 1905)
must be misleading, as they show the ratio in 1901 to range from
only 0.43 in Kōchi Prefecture to 6.20 in Kagoshima Prefecture. In Hyōgo
Prefecture, Iwate Prefecture and Aomori Prefecture the ratio is stated
to be 9.69, 13.75 and 14.52, respectively, and the average for the
whole country works out as only 2.75 for all the forty-six prefectures
enumerated. It is hard to reconcile these differences except on the
assumption that the severity of the examination varies according to the
localities.
The following table shows the alleged results of examination of
prostitutes throughout Japan for _ten_ years, the average ratio being
3.31 per 100.
EXAMINATION OF PROSTITUTES FOR SYPHILIS, IN EACH OF THE
LAST TEN YEARS.
+------+----------------+--------------------+
| | Places of | Each day’s average |
| | examination at | of the total |
| | the end of | number of |
|Years.| each year. | prostitutes. |
+------+----------------+--------------------+
| 1892 | 484 | 30,687 |
| 1893 | 487 | 31,253 |
| 1894 | 476 | 34,023 |
| 1895 | 471 | 37,518 |
| 1896 | 472 | 39,079 |
| 1897 | 498 | 43,570 |
| 1898 | 495 | 48,780 |
| 1899 | 518 | 49,553 |
| 1900 | 536 | 52,305 |
| 1901 | 530 | 40,855 |
+------+----------------+--------------------+
| | Average. | Average. |
|Total.| 496.7 | 40762.3 |
+------+----------------+--------------------+
+------+------------------------------+----------+-----------+--------+
| | Affected. | | | |
| +---------+----------+---------+ | |Number |
| | | | True | | | of |
| | | | cases | | |affected|
| | | | per 100 | | |per 100 |
|Years.| True. | False. |affected.|Unaffected| Total. |examined|
+------+---------+----------+---------+----------+-----------+--------+
| 1892 | 8,364 | 43,237 | 16.21 | 1,379,598| 1,431,199 | 3.61 |
| 1893 | 9,339 | 40,858 | 18.60 | 1,408,813| 1,459,010 | 3.44 |
| 1894 | 6,327 | 52,963 | 10.67 | 1,553,422| 1,612,712 | 3.68 |
| 1895 | 5,937 | 50,056 | 10.60 | 1,644,110| 1,700,103 | 3.29 |
| 1896 | 7,231 | 65,049 | 10.00 | 1,707,565| 1,779,845 | 4.06 |
| 1897 | 8,856 | 61,004 | 12.68 | 1,960,407| 2,030,267 | 3.44 |
| 1898 | 11,692 | 56,816 | 12.07 | 2,190,325| 2,258,833 | 3.03 |
| 1899 | 8,650 | 52,508 | 14.14 | 2,171,964| 2,233,122 | 2.74 |
| 1900 | 11,493 | 59,406 | 16.21 | 2,249,276| 2,320,175 | 3.06 |
| 1901 | 9,117 | 50,493 | 13.29 | 2,427,909| 2,496,518 | 2.75 |
+------+---------+----------+---------+----------+-----------+--------+
| | Average.| Average.| Average.| Average. | Average. |Average.|
|Total.| 8700.5 | 54139.0 | 13.45% | 1869338.9| 1932178.4 | 3.31% |
+------+---------+----------+---------+----------+-----------+--------+
Digest of the Regulations of the Yoshiwara Guild.
General.—In December 1901, in accordance with Article 26 of the
Metropolitan Police Board Notification No 37, issued in 1900, the
brothel-keepers, introducing-tea-house-keepers, and prostitutes of the
Yoshiwara established a Guild, and in February 1904 the rules of this
Guild were revised.
Object.—The object of the association is to secure and maintain
intimate relations between its members, to protect the common interests
of the “trade,” and to preserve ancient picturesque customs of the
quarter.
Director.—The Guild, which has its office at No. 462 Ni-chō-me,
Senzoku-machi, Asakusa district, Tōkyō City, is governed by a Director
(_tori-shimari_) and a Vice-Director (_fukutori-shimari_) both of whom
are elected, by means of an open ballot, by the members, all of whom
enjoy the “franchise.”
When the number of votes is equal the individual who is senior in birth
is deemed to be elected, and when the dates of birth are identical the
vote is decided by lot. The term of office is two years, and in case of
a vacancy occurring a by-election is held. The Director has a staff of
clerks and other employees under his control.
Undertaking by Members.—Persons joining the Guild are required to
subscribe to the articles of association and to give a written promise
to observe the same. Moreover the new member has to provide a guarantor
who will actually make performance of his duties should he himself fail
to do so. Guarantors must be persons in the same line of “business,”
and the brothel-keepers have to guarantee the prostitutes belonging to
their respective houses.
Contracts to be Submitted to Director.—All financial arrangements
relative to contracts entered into between the brothel-keepers
and prostitutes have to be reported to the Director under the joint
signatures of the parties.
Pass-Books.—The brothel-keepers and the women are required to prepare
and keep pass-books in the following form, and to send in the same
(duly entered up) for the approval of the Director before the 10th of
every month:—
Entries in this book are to be made for one year from the
_______________ 19__ to the _______________ 19__.
Revenue Stamp [L.S.]
Name of prostitute
Date
Total Yen ............
================
Fee for one entertainment out of which Yen ............
(1) Portion of the Keeper “ ............
(2) Portion of the woman “ ............
Agreement relative to the income of the woman of ____________
out of the fee for one entertainment as shown in the above
division, has been duly notified to the Police Station.
As to the pocket-money ____________ for each entertainment fee,
it will be paid at the time of accounting.
Number of entertainments ....................................
‖ Yen | Sen
+-----+-----
‖ |
‖ |
Entertainment fees ‖ |
‖ |
Actual amount to be paid to the woman ‖ |
‖ |
To be applied to the interest on loan for (name ‖ |
of month) ‖ |
‖ |
Pocket money of the woman ‖ |
‖ |
Applied to repayment of debit balance in books ‖ |
‖ |
Balance is as follows:— ‖ |
‖ |
Loan ‖ |
‖ |
Advance in current a/c on the books ‖ |
‖ |
Total ‖ |
+-----+-----
Changes in Membership, Etc.—All changes in regard to membership and
movements of employees are notified to the members generally through
the Director, and the members are bound not to engage discharged
employees except with the consent of the former employers.
Precautions Against Fire.—To guard against fire, periodical
examinations are made by an expert (appointed by the Director) of the
kerosene oil used in lighting, and the use of oil of under 70° (C) is
forbidden.
Power to Expel.—Persons infringing the rules of the Guild may be
expelled by a resolution of a general meeting.
Revision of Articles.—The articles of association of the Guild may be
revised by a general meeting called by the Director at the request of
thirty members.
Brothel-Keepers Consultation Committee.—To protect their mutual benefit
the brothel-keepers appoint a consultation committee (_kyōgi-in_) the
members of which are elected in the same manner as the Directors. This
committee may request the Director to call a meeting at any time.
Reports of Income.—Every day each brothel keeper is obliged to report
his gross income, and number of guests entertained, to the Director.
Charges.—An entertainments tariff, legibly written, must be
conspicuously displayed in every guest-chamber. This table must also
include the prices of various refreshments provided. Persons who
accompany guests, but who do not engage a woman, are charged half the
amount of the highest fee charged for a woman.
Exhibition of Women.—Women may not be publicly exhibited in the “cages”
after 1 o’clock a.m. from November to April, or after 2 o’clock
a.m. from May to October; and in case of pregnancy are forbidden to
practice their calling for three months before and after parturition.
Medical Expenses.—Brothel-keepers are required to pay daily to the
accountant of the Guild for transmission to the hospital the charges
incurred in consequence of any of their women undergoing medical
treatment.
Brothels who may use Tea-Houses.—Brothels employing women whose fee
is Yen 1.50 (U.S. $.75 or 3/- sterling) may do their business through
tea-houses, but they are obliged to pay a commission to the latter.
Insurance of Accounts.—As an insurance against loss the brothel-keepers
pay to a separately organized office, called the “_Uke-harai-jo_”
one per cent of the amount of money received from tea-houses, and in
return for this premium the “_Uke-harai-jo_” guarantees the tea-house
accounts. All monies due to the brothels by tea-houses are paid to the
“_Uke-harai-jo_” and not direct, and should any tea-house fail to meet
its liabilities all business with such defaulting establishment is
discontinued until settlement is made. In case of the tea-house people
having committed any improper act, the brothel-keepers may boycott the
tea-house and refuse to do business with its proprietors.
Expenses to be Defrayed by Brothel-Keepers.—Brothel-keepers have
to bear the following expenses: (1) of the Yoshiwara Hospital; (2)
of the office for the inspection of venereal diseases; (3) of the
Director’s office; (4) of emergencies; (5) of displays and shows; (6)
of meetings; (7) of salaries of Director and employees; (8) reserve
fund. These expenses are estimated and passed by the Consulting
Committee in May and November each year, and notified to the
brothel-keepers through the Director. In January and July of every year
the Director prepares and submits accounts for the previous term. A
supplementary budget may be passed by the Consulting Committee, but if
the expenditure is for an object not contemplated in the eight items
mentioned above, the sanction of a general meeting of brothel-keepers
must be obtained.
Accounts for Medicines.—Accounts for medicine must be settled at
the latest by the 25th of each following month, but these drugs are
supplied to members at half-price as compared with the prices charged
by ordinary physicians to the general public.
Tea-house-keepers.—Introducing-tea-house-keepers appoint by ballot
a Consulting Committee, two accountants and several _nemban_ (“year
guards.”) General meetings of tea-house-keepers are convened by the
Director in accordance with resolutions of the Consulting Committee.
Members of the tea-house fraternity deposit Yen 50 as a guarantee
that they will pay accounts due to the brothels with whom they deal.
The members must join the _Uke-harai-jo_ or “clearing house” of the
Guild, and all monies are paid to the brothels through its medium, and
not direct. A commission of 10 (ten)% is charged to brothel-keepers
on the gross sums of money paid to the latter by the tea-houses, but
this is subject to alteration by agreement between the Committee and
the brothel-keepers. Monthly statements of accounts relative to the
number of guests, money received for refreshments and _geisha_ fees,
etc., must be sent to the Director by the 3rd of each following month.
When tea-houses fail to meet their liabilities in respect to brothel
accounts, the “clearing-house” (_uke-harai-jo_) makes good the
amount, and the defaulter is either suspended or expelled.
Duties of Prostitutes.—Prostitutes belonging to the Guild are required
to “take care of their health, be economical, and use their leisure
time in study, sewing, etc., to the end that they may be prepared to
resume their normal position in society.” They are expected to dress
like ordinary women when outside the brothel-quarter, to maintain good
relations with their comrades, to treat their guests fairly and show
proper respect towards them, and not to refuse acceptance of guests
unless for “valid reasons.”
The Validity of Debts.
At present, debts contracted by prostitutes are held to be valid and
legally recoverable, although contracts binding women to serve in
brothels in consideration of a loan would probably be held illegal.
The leading case on the question is _Ōkuma Kin_ (_and two others_) v.
_Watanabe Mase_ decided in the First Civil Division of the Supreme
Court of Japan (Case “_O_” 398 of 1901) on the 6th February, 1902. The
principles enunciated are thus stated in the digests:—“_Prostitution
being a publicly recognized business, it is not in the least contrary
to public order or good morals for a prostitute to enter into an
agreement with her creditors to devote the profits arising from her
own business to the satisfaction of her debt towards them._” It is
the writer’s strong opinion that the Judges have committed a very
serious blunder in interpreting the law as stated above, as they
appear to have overlooked the distinct intention of the legislature.
Prostitution, even in Japan, is not intended to be authorized as
a legitimate business, and, while it is _tolerated_ by the law, this
_toleration_ is the outcome of a desire to control and regulate the
evil for considerations of public policy. Public and personal safety
require a constant inspection, and Japanese experience has shown
that such inspection can be best enforced when the brothels are all
gathered together in one central locality, but to dignify the infamous
and ruinous calling by placing it upon a level with other permitted
callings is _tantamount to protecting_ the business itself by affording
the security of the law to persons engaged in earning money by means
of leading and encouraging a notoriously profligate course of life.
There can be no doubt but that the Japanese system is excellent so far
as it goes, but for the courts to virtually hold that the mere fact
that brothel-keepers and prostitutes are _tolerated_ and taxed entitles
them to be ranked as ordinary worthy citizens, and their disgusting
transactions protected by the Imperial laws, suggests a somewhat loose
idea of morality in the Judges, and a wrong perception of the proper
status of a class of persons whose professed business is to foster vice
and pander to the libidinous desires of the multitude. Eradicate the
evil we cannot, regulate it we can and ought, but surely the law goes
far enough when it imposes certain obligations upon the unholy trade
without going to the length of upholding claims based upon what is—no
matter how plausibly you argue it—an immoral consideration!
Yarō.
“_Peccatum illud horribile, inter Christianos non nominandum._”
The subject is so horribly repulsive and distasteful that the writer
would have preferred to close his eyes to the existence of this awful
phase of human depravity and pass it by in silence, but friends,
in whose judgment he places entire confidence, have pointed out that
the very nature of this work demands at least a passing allusion to one
terrible form of venery which prevailed in Japan in the later Middle
Ages.
In the early part of the Yedo period (commenced 1587,) traces of
the surviving customs of the preceding civil wars lingered on, and
as unnatural practices (which had grown up in armed camps) had been
introduced into the metropolis, and were rife in the city, there were,
of course depraved persons who provided accommodation to gratify the
infamous tastes of the times. Among the play-actors were a number of
vicious and wholly abandoned characters who did not hesitate to pander
to their patrons and submit to outrageous physical indignities for hire.
After the performance of theatrical representations in the province
of Idzumo, female actors became all the rage, and, as society was
corrupted and injured in consequence, the authorities forbade actresses
to appear on the stage in future. This interdiction brought young
men-actors into vogue, and the performances of these handsome looking
young fellows also fascinated and charmed the minds of the public
and captivated a large class of voluptuaries. The fearful evil which
subsequently developed having become prevalent, male actors were also
prohibited in the 1st year of Shō-ō (1652), but in the 2nd year of the
same period (1653) in accordance with the petition of certain persons,
permission was granted for dramatic performances to be held under the
name of _mono-mané-kyōgen-zukushi_ (various comic plays).
[Illustration: “_Yarō._”]
Warned by experience, and in order to prevent the recurrence of the
vicious practice, the authorities caused all actors to shave the
hair above their foreheads, and the cognomen of “_wakashu_” (“lad”)
was officially changed into that of _yarō_ (“a low fellow”). To
circumvent the law and nullify its operation, actors who took the part
of women wore towels arranged so as to conceal their shaven pates,
and, hitting upon a further expedient, wore hats made of floss silk
or purple crêpe. The prepossessing appearance of these men so greatly
outrivalled the beauty of real women that, far from the regulations
effecting any reform, the habit of enjoying unnatural pleasure spread
through the city. Following the trend of prevailing tastes, games
known as “_yaro-karuta_” (cards with figures of _yarō_ upon them), and
_yarō-sugoroku_ (_yarō_ backgammon) were invented and hawked around for
sale, while some enterprising people manufactured pictures of _yarō_
for sale and others published a _hyōban-ki_ (Notes and criticism) about
them. To such an extreme did the craze run that some insensate fanatics
even went so far as to present votive tablets to shrines and temples
bearing representations of these disgusting _yarō_!
The resorts of this vile fraternity were in Yedo (Tōkyō), Negimachi;
in Kyōto, Miyagawa-machi; and in Ōsaka, Dōtonbori. The houses in
which _yarō_ were kept were colloquially known as “_Kodomo-ya_”
(children’s houses). These establishments hired and offered to their
patrons the services of attractive boys much in the same manner as
the regular brothels dealt in women. The youths were taught various
accomplishments, and after they had become proficient as actors they
were placed on the stage. Those who performed in plays were styled
_butai-ko_ (stage children), those who only waited at entertainments
were called _kagema_, and those who travelled about the country were
known as _tobi-ko_ (jumping or “flying” children).
It was chiefly members of the military class and priests who came to
houses of assignation (_age-ya_) and engaged these young men, but their
services were also requisitioned by not a few women. At first the lads
only appeared at banquets as pages in waiting on the guests, danced for
the amusement of the company, and were engaged by enthusiastic patrons
in the ordinary way, but eventually their exclusive business led them
to become as familiar with their guests as ordinary female prostitutes.
They aped the style of females, blackened their teeth with _ohaguro_
(like the women of those times), and gave themselves languid effeminate
airs in imitation of the fair sex. Originally they dressed in a
distinctive costume, and their get-up was known as _wakashu-sugata_
(young man style), but gradually their mode of dress underwent a
change, and in the Meiwa and An-ei periods (1704 to 1780) they attired
themselves in graceful garments dyed in rich designs, adopted long
flowing sleeves such as were worn by females, wore wide girdles around
their waists, and did their hair up woman-fashion.
In the Genroku period (1688 to 1703) the common practice of the vice
had declined, but the custom of hiring _yarō_ was as popular as that
of hiring courtesans, and in the Meiwa and An-ei periods (1704 to
1780) it had reached its zenith. At that time there were as many as
ten places in Yedo where _yarō_ could be hired—namely in Yoshi-chō,
Kobiki-chō, Hatehō-bori in Kanda, in the grounds of the Shrine of
Yushima Tenjin (!), in front of the Shimmei Shrine (!) in Shiba near
the Hirakawa Tenjin Shrine (!) in Kōjimachi, near the Hachiman Shrine
(!) at Ichi-ga-ya, etc. The number of _yarō_ carrying on their infamous
calling in the city was two hundred and thirty at this period.
Before long, nature either began to assert itself or the laws against
the vice passed in Kwansei period (1789 to 1800) were severely applied,
for in the Tempō period (1830 to 1843) only four places remained
where _yarō_ could be found.[68] Of these Yushima was patronized
most extensively, but only twenty-two lads were kept there. In the
13th year of Tempō (1842), in the time of Ieyoshi, the 12th Tokugawa
Shogun, the vice was utterly rooted out in consequence of searching
reforms instituted by Midzuno Tadakuni, Lord of Ichizen, and from
that year unnatural sexuality ceased almost entirely in Yedo. In the
Kwan-ei period (1624 to 1643) a number of so-called “incense-dealers”
(_Kōgu-uri_) appeared in Yedo who offered unnatural services to their
customers, and by the era of Genroku (1688 to 1703) the business was
firmly established and the practice prevailed far and wide. Beautifully
dressed, handsome, and effeminate looking young men wandered through
the city carrying about with them various kinds of incense in
_kiri_-wood boxes wrapped in light-blue silk cloths, and, under the
guise of selling incense, wormed their way into the mansions of the
nobility and gentry, but in course of time the custom was abolished. In
those days it was quite general for lewd and abandoned women to hire
actors and indulge in immoral pleasure. Such women, when they attended
a play, would call actors to the tea-houses and there enjoy themselves
with the players in the same way that male libertines were wont to call
courtesans.
The above description of _yarō_ is condensed from the
_Nikon-Fuzoku-Shi_ (日本風俗史), but the writer desires to add that the
literature of the Genroku period, as typified in several ancient
volumes in his possession, clearly reveal the fact that the vice was
practised quite openly, and apparently without any sense of shame,
in the 17th century. Curious readers are referred to the _Danshoku
Ō-kagami_ (published in 1687) and the _Danshoku Ki-no-me-dzuke_
(published in 1703) as specimens of this precious literature.[69]
[Illustration: The Grave of a Courtesan.]
Golgatha.
The following sad description of the last hours, death, and burial of
an inmate of the Yoshiwara is gleaned from the “_Yūkwaku no Rimen_”
(遊廓の裏面) published in 1903:—
“Even in the case of a courtesan who for a time has been famous as the
star of her brothel, and who has become so skilful that she has robbed
many men of their very souls, what will her ultimate fate probably be
when suddenly attacked by a serious disease? I believe that there is no
fate more piteous than that of a courtesan whose body has been sold to
this prostitute quarter from a distant province, and who finds herself,
sad and lonely, without a single acquaintance or relative, and with
none to whom she can look for aid!
“Now that she is sick and has given up her business for one or two
months, the myriads of guests, who formerly came crowding to see her in
a never-ending stream while she was yet elegantly attired and beautiful
to behold with her comely face and perfectly pencilled eyebrows, do
not send her even a single letter. The servants who called her
‘_Oiran_, _Oiran_’[70] when she was in the zenith of her pride and
popularity, and who served her obsequiously in consideration of the
many gifts she lavished upon them, gradually become unaccommodating
and churlish. But that is by no means all, for they even speak ill of
her and backbite her. Then she falls into low spirits, and alone by
herself she writhes in solitary agony. Her debit account for medicine
increases. There is no one to soothe or comfort her, and indeed it is
impossible to imagine how great is her misery as she dozes uneasily
upon her pillow, in this unhappy place, among things hard to bear and
painful to hear.
“In this manner her sickness increases in severity, and finally,
falling into a state which offers no hope of recovery, she can only
await the awful approach of death. Our imaginations fails to picture
the unhappy state of the wretched courtesan who is about to draw her
last breath, lying on a cold hard thin mattress in a miserable and
lonely little room beneath the back staircase of the brothel, without
a soul in the world to help the absolutely forsaken creature. When
death is about to enter through the torn paper-covered windows of her
room, there is no light in the chamber, and all is dark as pitch. In
the upper portion of the house singing girls are probably playing
merrily upon their _samisen_ (banjo), while dancing-girls are dancing
and frisking to the music. The sounds of boisterous laughter, music,
and cheerful voices pierce the ears of the sick woman and grate upon
her nerves, and she, lying in misery at the very point of death, with
none to attend or nurse her, totters on the brink of the grave
writhing and struggling in pain and anguish, and when she breathes her
last she is mocked in the hour of her mortal agony by the babel of
voices telling of licentious joy and happiness and voluptuous pleasure.
Her limbs grow cold and rigid, her eyes, which have lost the light of
life, become dull and glazed, and, remaining wide open, stare horribly
into the darkness. Just at this moment some courtesan who has come down
the stairs for a sitz-bath, or a brothel hag (_yarite_) coming along
the passage, noticing that the faint noise of breathing has ceased,
and wondering if anything has happened, may open the door and look
in and exclaim—‘Ah! all is over.’ That is about all the expression
of astonishment which will be ejaculated, and although perchance two
or three of her courtesan friends may shed a few tears of sympathy
and pity, this ends the matter. The brothel keeper immediately states
that there is no one to take delivery of the corpse, and, without even
waiting for the dawn, the mortal remains are hurriedly born away to the
crematorium and disappear forever in the smoke of the furnace. Ah! what
a fearful and cruel thing this is to contemplate!
“And to where are the calcined bones carried, and where are they
interred?
“If there be any person who desires to know where the white bones of
the miserable courtesan are going, and who wishes to follow the unhappy
woman to the end of her terrible fate, I beg that he will go out of
the great gateway of the Yoshiwara—where the flower has withered and
fallen—past the Go-jikken-dōri road, up the Emon-zaka hill, and grope
his way along to the left of the dike at Dote-Hatchō.
“Before the eyes of the traveller spreads out on both sides of the
dike a vista of beautiful fields and gardens. On the right, so far as
the eye can see, separated by vast stretches of irrigated rice-fields,
rise to varying heights the rows of the roofs of the brothels of
Kotsugappara and Senju. Passing by this cluster of habitations, there
are clumps of green trees and bamboo groves. Further on, if the weather
be clear and fair, the white sails of craft on the upper part of the
stream of the Sumida river can be faintly discerned, and, of course,
the purple mountain of Tsukuba-yama can be seen among the clouds.
Glancing around to the left of the dike, there will be noticed towns
composed of tenant houses lately erected on ground reclaimed from the
fields. Between the trees may be seen here and there the high roofs of
various temples. The sight of the forest which crowns the high ridge
of land reaching from Ueno to Higurashi and on to Dōkwan-yama creates
a pleasing sensation in the mind. As one goes on among this beautiful
scenery, he at length nears the gate of the slaughter-houses, and his
nostrils are assailed by the scent of blood borne on the breeze. Going
on a little further beyond the dike, a road commences which forms an
old fashioned avenue with rows of trees on both sides. Having arrived
at this point, if one turns round and glances back he will be able
to see, between the trees, just the numerous roofs of the Yoshiwara
prostitute-quarter stretching out all over. The lofty buildings of
the quarter, such as the clock-tower of the “Ebi-ya,” “Hikota,” and
the “Shinagawa” rise up in such conspicuous majesty that one imagines
that he is looking at some great castle-town. Quickening one’s steps,
and going on one or two _chō_ more, the dike disappears, and you see
the railway embankment crossing diagonally in front. Beneath
this railroad line stands a temple, and this temple is indeed the
place where the unfortunate courtesan is doomed to have her bones
decay and rot! By the left side of the bank oozes a little dirty
ditch-like stream, spanned by a small old-fashioned stone bridge. This
stream skirts the temple grounds, and, washing the luxuriant growth
of wild bamboo grass which overgrows into boundaries, disappears at
the back of the railway track. Pleased with the extreme quietness and
privacy of the place, you cross the little bridge and come to a black
gateway which you recognize as that of the _Jō-Kan-ji_ temple. Ah! the
_Jo-Kan-ji_ at Minowa! Men of the world with their loves and hates,
even if they have not already explored the actual place itself, have
probably become acquainted with its name through the various books they
have read.
[Illustration: Tombs of Courtesan and Guest who Committed Suicide
together on the 1st October, 1880.]
“Having entered the gate, you will see a little hut where flowers
are sold. Proceeding to the rear of the not very large _hondō_ (main
temple) by the left side of the building, you will come to a place
thickly studded with numberless graves, tombstones and _sotoba_
(stûpa). Near the thicket-like hedge, and here and there between
the tombstones, stand clumps of gnarled and ancient _e-no-ki_ trees
whose branches quiver sadly and mournfully as the wind soughs through
them with a plaintive sobbing sound like the burthen of a requiem.
Glancing at the well-nigh undecipherable inscription carved on the
first tombstone that meets the eye, we can trace a posthumous name such
as 柳生院花容童女之墓 (_Ryū-sho-in Kwayō-dōjō no haka_,) or the words
口口樓代々の墓 (the family grave of the _______ brothel). Or we may even
see stones on which two names are carved together, one name being that
of a man and one that of a woman. None of these stones are more than
two or three feet in height—they are all small and dirty—and for a very
long period of time no incense has been burned or flowers offered before
them.
“Going on into the heart of this lonesome place one at length arrives
behind the main temple. Here the whole surface of the earth is damp
and humid, and a dismal grave-like smell of mouldy earth pervades the
locality. Probably the sunshine has never penetrated to this spot for
centuries. The dead leaves of the _e-no-ki_ trees have been allowed
to lie as they have fallen year after year, so they have piled up,
crumbled, mouldered, and rotted on the dark ground, and from the
purulent mildewed soil have sprung into being myriads of weird uncanny
poisonous toadstools and foul fungi fearful and horrid in shape and
strangely ghastly in colour. Ah!, what a desolate uncanny appearance
the place has; persons visiting it soon experience a deep sense of
commiseration and sympathy, and feel as if they had entered a chilly
underground vault. In this gloomy dismal place lie the bones of the
courtesan who only up to yesterday resembled a beautiful butterfly or
lovely blossom when seen in all the glory of her gorgeous apparel, with
her glossy black hair ornamented with gold and her snowy-white body
clad in rich brocade robes now exchanged for the cerements of death.
“And look! at the rear of two great _e-no-ki_ trees rises a high stone
wall. Upon it stands a stone column bearing the six Chinese characters
新吉原無緣墓 (_Shin Yoshiwara Mu-en-dzuka_) “_The tomb of those of the Shin
Yoshiwara who are without kith or kin._” Around it is a rank growth
of various weeds and grasses, and near by still stands undecayed a
huge _stûpa_ which was erected as an offering to the spirits of
the dead at the time of the great earthquake of the 2nd year of the
Ansei period (1855).
[Illustration: The “_Mu-en-dzuka_” in the “_Jō-kan-ji_” temple at
Minowa.]
“As a matter of fact such things really do occur, but the courtesan
who is thus buried in the _Mu-en-dzuka_ must be counted as the most
truly unfortunate, because most of the women are given burial in the
family burying places of the brothel-keepers, while the bodies of those
who cannot obtain even this latter consideration, who are from a far
country and without a friend to take delivery of their remains, are
carried stealthily out of the back entrance of the brothels in the grey
light of the dawn, and here transformed into a heap of grisly bones. In
any case the end of these brothel women is very sad and lamentable, and
looked at from this point of view there is indeed nothing so miserable
or so awful as the brothel quarter.”
Five Curious Legal Documents actually used in the Yoshiwara in
1902.
(No. 1.) Agreement.
Whereas I _______________, being unable to maintain myself,
have consented to _______________’s practising prostitution
in your establishment for the purpose of aiding in my support, it is
hereby agreed as follows:—
Art. 1.—I acknowledge and confirm the fact that I have consented to
_______________’s practising prostitution in your house for a
period of _______________.
Art. 2.—I hereby acknowledge the receipt of the sum of Yen
_______________ which you have advanced to me at the rate of
_______________ per annum as regards interest.
Art. 3.—The principal and interest mentioned in the proceeding Article
shall be repaid out of _______________’s income derived by her in her
practice of prostitution. Provided that her entertainment fee per head
shall be fixed at ____, whereof _______________ is to be given to her
as pocket-money, and the balance of _______________ is to be applied
to the repayment of principal and interest.
With regard to the “entertainment fee” mentioned in the proceeding
paragraph, it is agreed that you may, at your convenience, either
increase or decrease the rate, and that even in such case the money is
to be applied according to the same proportion as that mentioned in the
said preceding paragraph.
The portion of her earnings hereinbefore mentioned as yours is to be
applied for the expenses of maintaining the Yoshiwara Hospital and
other fixed expenses; but the cost of board while in the hospital is to
be paid by herself.
If at any future time further advances are made by you, or if you
kindly disburse for us the cost of medicine and the expenses of board
in the hospital, such monies shall be repaid in the following order and
manner:—
(1) Cost of medicine.
(2) Board in hospital.
(3) Interest on all loans.
(4) Principal of further loans.
(5) Principal of original loan.
Art. 4.—It is further agreed that she will, of course, lodge in your
house and practice the business faithfully during the term of the
agreement, that she will strictly observe the regulations relating
to the business, and any other Articles or customs which should be
respected for the regulation of the brothel-quarters; and further
that, no matter what be the circumstances, she will neither relinquish
or suspend the business nor change her lodging place until both the
principal and interest of the liability towards yourself are finally
cleared off. Provided, however, that in case you should, at your
convenience, alienate your brothel-keeping business, or require us to
change the lodging-place, your directions will be respected and no
objection to the change will be raised against your wishes, except for
proper and valid reasons.
Art. 5.—My portion of the profit being determined according to the rate
specified in paragraph 1 of Article 3 hereof, I shall not be interested
or concerned in respect to any other income derived in connection with
your brothel-keeping business.
Art. 6.—With regard to any personal property belonging to _____________
it is agreed that the same is pledged as security for the loan
mentioned in Article 2 hereof, irrespective as to whether it is now
actually in existence or may be acquired at any future time in the
course of practising the business; and the said property shall be
neither taken out, delivered to others, pledged, sold, nor otherwise
alienated.
Art. 7.—In case _______________ falls ill before the loan from
you is cleared off and consequently cannot practice the business, she
shall undergo a medical examination by a physician at the Yoshiwara
Hospital; and if his diagnosis shows that there is no prospect of
her being able to resume her calling, it is agreed that the pledged
articles belonging to the said _______________ shall be sold by you
in the presence of one of the guarantors, and that the proceeds of the
sale shall be applied to the repayment of the principal and interest
of the loan. In case any deficiency arises, the liability in respect
thereto will be undertaken and fulfilled jointly and severally by the
guarantors and the principal, the said guarantors assuming joint and
several liability among themselves.
Art. 8.—Should the principal party abscond, conceal her whereabouts,
etc., the guarantors will forthwith enquire after her and bring her
back to resume her business; and as to the time which has elapsed
during the period of her desertion, application will be made forthwith
to the Police Station for the purpose of having the term of agreement
mentioned in her license extended by the number of days during which
she was absent, and of procuring renewal of the said license. If
her whereabouts cannot be ascertained, or if she dies, the pledged
articles belonging to her are to be sold by you in the presence of one
of her guarantors and the proceeds to be applied to the repayment of
the principal, and interest of the loan. Any deficiency will be
made good by the guarantors and the principal all being jointly and
severally responsible, and the guarantors undertaking the liability
jointly and severally among themselves. In case of the death of the
principal, the guarantors will take delivery of her corpse.
Art. 9.—Should there be any portion of the loan standing unpaid at the
time of the maturity of the term of the agreement, you are at liberty
to sell the pledged articles belonging to the said _______________ and
to apply the proceeds towards the repayment of such unpaid portion of
the loan. Any deficiency arising will be made good by the guarantors
themselves, and you will be protected against any loss or annoyance.
Art. 10.—It is specially agreed that in case any of these Articles
should be infringed, or should any other dispute arise between the
parties, the case shall be considered as within the jurisdiction of
either the Tōkyō Local or District Court.
The above Articles of Agreement being duly accepted by the parties, we
hereby undertake not to infringe the provisions thereof; and in order
to avoid future misunderstanding and trouble, we have drawn up this
document and signed and sealed the same hereunder.
Dated _______________
(Signatures) _______________
* * * * *
(No. 2.) Deed of Loan.
The sum of Yen _______________ together with interest at the rate of
_______________ per annum.
We hereby acknowledge that the above sum of money has been borrowed
from you to meet the requirements for ____________’s carrying on of the
business of a prostitute. Repayment of the money will be made according
to the provisions of an agreement dated ________________, and we have
therefore no objection to your treating the matter accordingly.
In order to avoid future misunderstanding and trouble, we have drawn up
this document and signed and sealed it hereunder.
Dated _______________
(Signatures) _______________
* * * * *
(No. 3.) Power of Attorney.
I, _______________, being about to commence business as a
prostitute at _______________ in the Urban Prefecture of Tōkyō, hereby
give and grant unto _______________ the following powers:—
1.—To manage all matters connected with the application for a license
for practising as a prostitute, and to sign and seal as attorney for me
all necessary papers and documents.
2.—To contract any further loan or loans from the brothel-keeper,
while I am practising as a prostitute, to the actual amount of Yen
___________, and to sign and seal as my attorney the documents relative
to such loan or loans.
3.—In case of the alteration of the lodging-place at the convenience
of the brothel-keeper, to borrow money from the new brothel-keeper,
to determine the manner in which the money is to be repaid, to enter
into any other agreement or contract in connection with the practice of
the business of a prostitute, to sign and seal as my attorney various
papers and documents, and to perform any other acts or deeds.
4.—To manage all my personal affairs while I am practicing prostitution.
5.—To appoint a substitute to manage or perform any of the matters
entrusted to you.
I hereby certify that the above matters are duly entrusted to you, and
beg that you will manage everything in accordance with the regulations;
I pledge you my word that I will not raise any objection at any future
time to anything which may have been done by you in the premises; and
it is further specially agreed that this power of attorney will not be
cancelled unless with your consent.
In witness whereof, I have drawn up this power of attorney and signed
and sealed the same hereunder.
Dated _______________
(Signature) _______________
* * * * *
(No. 4.) Resolution of the Family Council.
Resolved:—
Art 1.—That permission is given to _______________ to practice as a
prostitute in the Urban Prefecture of Tōkyō.
Art. 2.—That _______________ may borrow the sum of __________ from
_______________, a brothel-keeper, contract any further loans not
exceeding the actual amount of _______________, and enter into an
agreement (as per draft) hereto attached.
Art. 3.—That in case the brothel-keeper _______________ alienates
the brothel-keeping business at his convenience, or causes
______________, change her lodging place, ___________ may borrow from
the new brothel-keeper the sum of Yen _______ or contract any further
loan not exceeding the amount of Yen ______________, he may determine
in the exercise of his discretion the manner in which the repayment of
the loans are to be paid, enter into further various agreements
relating to the practice of the business of a prostitute, and do any
and all other acts and deeds in connection therewith.
Art. 4.—That for the purpose of performing any acts or deeds in
relation to Articles 2 and 3, ____________________ may appoint any
substitute under him and give to such substitute power to perform all
such acts and deeds.
Date _______________
(Signatures) _______________
* * * * *
(No. 5.) Letter of Request.
________________ being now prepared to practice as a prostitute,
I am very much obliged to you for your kind consent to my request to
guarantee the agreement. Under these circumstances, I promise that
I will respect and observe the said agreement and not cause you any
trouble whatsoever. When it is necessary to sign and seal papers
filed with the proper authorities in connection with the practice
of prostitution, I beg that you will kindly sign and seal the same,
and that you will, when necessary, sign and seal the documents _re_
additional loans as attorney for ___________, and kindly guarantee the
repayment of the said loans. I further request that you will look
after her in all matters affecting her interests while engaged in the
business of prostitution. If you act as above, the principal party will
never act contrary to your directions, and ___________ too will raise
no objections.
In witness whereof, I have hereby drawn up this letter of request and
signed and sealed the same hereunder.
Dated _______________
(Signature) _______________
明治三十二年六月三十日初版發行
明治三十八年十二月一日再版印刷
明治三十八年十二月五日再版發行
著作權所有
發行者 著作兼 小林米珂
横濱市山下町七拾番地
印刷者 チヤールス、ジェー、ブヲンハム
横濱市山下町て六抬壹番地
印刷所 ボックス、オブ、キウリヲス印刷所
横濱市山下町て六拾壹番地
Footnotes.
[1] _Yūkwaku_ is a segregated town provided with brothels and
assignation houses.
[2] _Keisei-machi_:—A courtesan quarter. _Keisei_ means a castle
falling into ruins, the idea being that such women lead to the
destruction and ruin of the State.
[3] _Yūjo-machi_:—A courtesan quarter.
[4] The decisive battle between Ieyasu and Hideyori, son of the great
Hideyoshi (“Taikō Sama”) was fought at Seki-ga-hara, Mino Province, in
the year 1600.
[5] Masterless swashbucklers.
[6] These “_bath-houses_” were in reality houses of assignation and
unlicensed brothels. Carrying on their business under this innocent
title they engaged women called “_Kami-arai-onna_,” or (for want of a
better word) “shampooers,” but these females were really “_jigoku_”
(“Hell women”) and were selected for their beauty in order to attract
persons to “_take baths_.” The “_bath-house_” women were not only as
beautiful and accomplished as the regular courtesans, but they were
cheaper and would accommodate guests either day or night, whereas, the
regular girls were only permitted to exercise their calling in the day
time. These unlicensed prostitutes were so numerous that they seriously
interfered with the business of the real _Yoshiwara_, and it was to
the interest of regular brothel-keepers that they should be suppressed.
[7] It is interesting to note that even in those times the Government
recognized the principle of granting compensation when the right of
eminent domain was exercised.
[8] _Vide_ chapter entitled “The _Furisode Kwaji_.”
[9] _Ageya_ (揚屋) were houses of assignation where, in accordance with
the customs of the time, a visitor could stay and to which he could
invite any prostitute with whom he had, or wished to have, a _liaison_.
The _age-ya_ made all arrangements for procuring the attendance of
courtesans when required.
[10] “Named after their native place in order to perpetuate the memory
of their ancestors.”
[11] The Japanese pronunciation of the character 西 (_sai_) in the name
“_Sainen_” is “_Nishi_” (West); hence the name of _Nishi_ (West) +
_gashi_ (river bank). It is a very common custom in Japan to compose
names in this manner.
[12] The story of _Watanabe no Tsuna’s_ adventures has been published
in the _Kōbunsha_ “Fairy Tale Series” under the head of “_The Ogre’s
Arm_.”
[13] _Tenjin_ is the name under which _Sagawara-no-Michizane_ is
apotheosized. He was a great minister and scholar, but falling a victim
to calumny was banished and finally died in exile. He is worshipped as
the God of Calligraphy.
[14] Trees planted in this manner by the authorities were called
“_goyō-boku_,” or “government trees.” Lacquer trees are poisonous, and
the sap produces a severe rash on the skin if handled.
[15] It should not be forgotten that no _samurai_ (feudal warrior
class) was allowed to enter the brothels wearing his swords. The swords
were taken charge of by attendants at the doors before the _samurai_
guest went into the house. Mr. A. B. Mitford says in his “Tales of Old
Japan”—“When a Japanese enters a house of ill-fame he is forced to
leave his sword and dirk at the door for two reasons—first, to prevent
brawling; secondly because it is known that some of the women inside so
loathe their existence that they would put an end to it, could they get
hold of a weapon.”
[16] Chi Hwan-ti (始皇帝), builder of “Great Wall.”
[17] “Leading-by-the-hand tea-houses.”
[18] Literally a “sign-board lantern” so called because the lantern
bears the name of the _hikite-jaya_. It is the custom for the maid to
carry a lighted lantern (even inside the brothel) as far as the door
of the room of the courtesan to whom the visitor is introduced. This
lantern serves as a token to identify the _hikite-jaya_ to which the
maid belongs. On arriving before the door of the room the lantern is
extinguished by shaking it, and not by blowing out the light in the
usual way. A superstition exists against blowing out the light with
one’s lips:—it is supposed to be unlucky.
[19] The _haku-chō_ or white porcelain _saké_ bottles used on these
occasions hold about 1 _shō_, or say about 3 pints.
[20] As these places depend upon the custom of persons entering them,
it is considered as unlucky to speak about blowing anything out. The
_hozuki_ is bitter or acid, and as a pregnant woman is supposed to like
sour or acid things courtesans think that to blow the winter cherry is
most ominous as it may presage pregnancy and injure their profession.
The ordinary _geisha_ (dancing girl) in Japan delights to sit making a
squeaking noise by means of blowing and squeezing between her lower lip
and teeth the dried and salted berry of the winter-cherry, from which
the pulp has been deftly extracted at the stem. This practice seems as
pleasant to the _geisha_ as that of chewing gum does to some foreigners.
[21] In ancient Rome, until the lowest age of Roman degradation, no man
of any character entered a houses of ill-fame without hiding his face
with the skirt of his dress.
[22] The best women in a brothel were always placed in the middle of
the _misé_ (shop) and those of inferior beauty or attainments were
placed at the sides. Whence the name _hashi-jōro_ (“end” courtesan.)
[23] _Tsubone-jōro_ were generally quartered in the second story.
_Tsubone_,—the “women’s apartments” in the courts of princes and
daimyō—was added to _jōro_ to find an appellation for a daughter of
Ichinomiya, a noble. She set out on a journey, so the story runs, to
Hatake in Tosa, but was driven by stress of weather to Hiroshima, where
poverty presently forced her to become a prostitute.
The country folk of that district possessed no word in their
vocabulary, applicable to a _jōro_ of such high social status, so they
coined one and handed down to future generations in the Yoshiwara the
name _tsubone-jōro_.
[24] Ohaguro is a dye made by immersing heated iron scrapes in water
and then adding to it a small quantity of _saké_. It is used (mixed
with powdered gall-nuts) by married women, and formerly by court
nobles, to blacken their teeth. The custom is dying out fast.
[25] _Ashi-odori_ is shown in the wood-cut, _Suteteko_ is a vulgar
pantomimic dance, and _Hadaka-odori_ a dance in _puris naturalibus_.
[26] The following explanations of the origin of the word “_oiran_” are
given:—
The “_Kinsei jibutsu-Kō_” (近世事物考 Reflections about modern things)
says:—the higher priced women of the Shin Yoshiwara are now called
“_oiran_” The reason for giving them this name is that in the era of
Genroku (1688–1703) the courtesans of the Yoshiwara all planted a large
number of trees in the _Naka-no chō_ (central street). About this
time a _Kamuro_ (female page) attached to a certain house called the
“_Kishida-ya_” wrote a stanza of poetry which ran:—
“_Oiran ga itchi yoku saku sakura kana!_” which means in ordinary
language “_Oira no ane-jōro no ueshi sakura ga ichi-ban yoku sakitari_”
(The cherry-tree planted by my _ane-jōro_ blossomed more luxuriantly
than the others).
This poem, which the little _Kamuro_ so proudly wrote, is a proof
that the word _oira_ (“I,” or in connection with _no_ or _ga_ “my”
or “mine”) had been corrupted to _oiran_ in the Yoshiwara. It would
therefore appear that the present word _oiran_, which is universally
used, arose from the fact that the attendants of courtesans anciently
spoke of them as “_oiran_” (_oira no ane_ = my elder sister).”
The _Dōbō-Go-yen-ho_ 洞房語園補 says:—
“_Oiran_ means “_ane-jōrō_” (elder-sister, or “senior,” courtesan) or
“my elder sister” in the vocabulary of the Yoshiwara. The word _oiran_
is applied to a mild and gentle courtesan.”
Another explanation is that the _oiran_ were so beautiful that even
when an old person (_Oi-taru mono_) met them he was apt to be excited,
agitated, and half crazy (亂 = _ran_) for the love of their pretty
faces. Thus the word _oi_+_ran_ (an aged person + excited half crazy
with agitation). The word “_oiran_” is written 花魁 (_hana-no sakigake_)
and means “the leader of flowers” (i.e.—the most beautiful of all
flowers) because a beautiful woman may be compared to a flower, and
_oiran_ occupy the same position among other courtesans as the cherry
does among other flowers.
The _oiran_ is also compared in a poem by Senryū to the “_renge-sō_”
(_Astragalus lotoides_? a small wild flower of a whitish pink colour
closely resembling a lotus blossom in shape) when he says:—
“_Te ni toru na! Yahari no ni oké, Renge-sō._”
“Gather not the blossom of the _Renge-sō_. Better leave the flower
blooming in the meadows.”
This poem conveys a warning to young men not to choose wives from among
the denizens of the Yoshiwara.
The word _oiran_ appears in a famous satirical poem, as follows:—
“_Oiran no Namida de Kura no Yane ga mori_”
“The tears of an _oiran_ cause the roof of one’s house to leak.”
[27] Mr. Henry Norman says in the “_The Real Japan_”:—“There is nearly
always a large written and framed scroll in a conspicuous position,
exhibiting some scrap of appropriate poetry tersely told in the
complicated Chinese characters. One I was shown had the four characters
_matsu kiku nao sonsu_, literally, “Pine chrysanthemum still are,”
_i.e._, the pine and the chrysanthemum always preserve their
charm, even in winter when other flowers die, and by implication,
“My charms are everlasting, like the pine and the chrysanthemum.”
[28] Goddess of Love.
[29] _Mawashi-beya_ 廻し房 is a kind of spare room in which a guest is
accommodated when the _yūjo_ he hires has another visitor in her own
apartments.
[30] The Yoshiwara Office publishes these guide-books at intervals. The
books contain the names and fees of inmates of the various brothels.
[31] Said by a courtesans to a guest detained in a brothel owing to
rainy weather.
[32] For the derivation of this phrase see page 118.
[33] God of wealth and guardian of markets
[34] This will not bear translation. The idea conveyed as explained by
a poet-friend.
[35] _Vide_ further statistics in appendix.
[36] _Shimai_ is changed into _jimai_ after “_hiru_” and “_yo_” for the
sake of euphony.
[37] Also see appendix.
[38] During the Genroku (1688–1703) and Shōtoku (1711–1715) eras,
“_shinjū_” or double suicides of guests and “_jōro_” became so common
that the jōroya were forced for the sake of self-preservation to expose
the bodies of both the man and the woman on the Nihombashi for three
days. The _eta_ or “outcasts” then buried them, and writing their
story, read it about the streets of Yedo. The burial of those who
committed “_shinjū_” was the burial of dogs. Their hands and legs were
tied together, and the bodies were wrapt up in straw matting and thrown
into a common grave. The people of the jōroya believed that this would
prevent the ghosts of the dead haunting the house where they died, the
superstition being that animals had no ghosts.
[39] Now called the “_Ko-gwan-zan Saihōji_” situated at No. 36,
Shōden-chō, Asakusa district.
[40] Formerly this was the case, but now the _obi_ is tied in
front merely out of deference to old custom. The ancient sumptuary
regulations have been abolished long ago.
[41] This involves a pun on the words _jōro_ (女郎 “a harlot”) and _jōro_
(上臈 “a lady in waiting attached to the court.”)
[42] Movement in favour of the abolition of licensed prostitution.
[43] Millionaires.
[44] _Toshi-koshi_. The ceremony of scattering parched peas about in
an occupied house to drive out evil spirits, crying aloud the while
“_fuku wa uchi, oni wa soto_,” (good fortune is within, and devils
outside). This ceremony is also known as “_mame-maki_” (bean throwing)
and “_oni-yarai_” (casting out devils.)
[45] A fête in honour of the god of trade and industry.
[46] _Saruhiki_. One who goes about getting money by leading a monkey
who performs tricks.
_Dai-kagura_. A kind of dance performed in the streets by boys wearing
wooden lion-head masks. Also called “_Shishi-mai_.”
[47] _Inari_. Goddess of rice (written with the two characters 稲荷 =
“_rice bearing_”). _Inari_ is sometimes spoken of as the “fox-deity,”
but the foxes appear to be mere guards to the temples dedicated to the
Goddess. There is more or less confusion as to the sex of Inari as
sometimes “she” (_sic_) is represented as a bearded man!
[48] _Kagura_. An old Japanese dance which may yet be seen in the
grounds of certain temples. The performers wear masks and quaint gowns
of real or imitation damask. The _kagura_ mentioned above was probably
a profane invention of a comic nature.
[49] _Third month_. It must be remembered that this was April according
to the present calendar.
[50] _Shime-nawa_. A rope with tufts of straw or of cut paper at fixed
intervals, hung before shrines in order to sanctify the place within.
It is a relic of the straw-rope which _Futodama-no-mikoto_ stretched
behind the Sun-goddess to prevent her returning to the cave after
_Tajikarao-no-mikoto_ had pulled her out and thus re-illuminated the
universe which had been plunged into darkness.
[51] See special chapter on this subject.
[52] _Chōyō no sekku_. The 9th day of the 9th month (o.s.); a festival
day of the chrysanthemum.
[53] This is a pun on the name of Mino province and the Japanese word
for straw rain-coat (_mino_).
[54] Or “Nightless City,” the title of this book.
[55] This paragraph of course refers to the inmates of the Yoshiwara.
[56] The monastery of _Ishi-yama_ was founded in 749 by the monk
Riō-ben Sūjō, at the command of Shōmu Tennō. It was destroyed by fire
in 1078 and rebuilt a century later by Yoritomo. The present _hon-dō_
(main hall) was built by Yodo-Gimi, the mother of Hideyori, towards the
end of the 16th century. The little room to the right of the _hon-dō_,
known as _Genji-nō ma_, is said to have been occupied by the famous
authoress Murasaki Shikibu during the composition of her great romance,
the “_Genji Monogatari_.” _Ishiyama-dera_ is famous for the beauty of
its maple-trees in autumn. (Murray’s Hand-Book of Japan.)
[57] Wife of an ancient Chinese King who was held by the enemy as a
hostage in a foreign country.
[58] A family badge in the form of a tuft of five overlapping bamboo
leaves with their apexes spreading downwards, and surmounted by three
little flowers.
[59] For latest regulations, see appendix.
[60] i.e.—Written in a very easy style so that even illiterate women
can read the same.
[61] Brothel-keeping; prostitution; introducing houses.
[62] See Appendix under the head of “Hospital Regulations.”
[63] Illicit prostitution _has_ actually increased in Gumma and
Wakayama since the abolition of licensed brothels.
[64] A great many of these women _are by no means virtuous_. These
statistics are very incomplete, inasmuch as they fail to take into
account the vast number of _secret prostitutes_ in Japan. Even in the
case of courtesans and _geisha_, it is almost certain that the numbers
are understated.
[65] It used to be the custom for lower class houses to air all their
showy bedding on the balconies facing the road.
[66] The actual word used is “_Ki-yaku_” (規約) “an agreement” or
“covenant,” but, in the sense in which it is used here the term
“_Constitution_” seems most appropriate.
[67] The wards are divided of follows:—
(1) For syphilis. (2) “ gonorrhœa. (3) “ chancres. (4) “ skin diseases.
(5) “ miscellaneous diseases. (6) “ cases of serious illness. (7) “
isolated rooms for infectious diseases.
[68] Yoshi-chō, Hatchō-bori, Shimmei, and Yushima.
[69] Copies of these works are rare and the Japanese Government will
not allow them to be reprinted for sale. The language of these books is
not in any way disgusting, and the style is florid and pleasing. It is
the subject only which is “off colour.”
[70] “The most beautiful of flowers.” Complimentary name for a superior
harlot in the Tōkyō Yoshiwara.
Transcriber’s Note:
The original scan for this book is available from the Internet Archive.
Obvious errors and omissions in punctuation, hyphenation, and
capitalisation have been fixed. Otherwise word hyphenation has
not been standardised.
Except in the case of most Japanese transliterations, if multiple
spellings are used, the most common is adopted. But note that the table
of contents and chapter titles spellings are adjusted to match.
The use of italicisation has not been standardised.
Numbers with fractions are presented as number-numerator/denominator
rather than using Unicode versions of the fraction without the hyphen.
Missing chapter titles added to text as needed.
Illustrations in the printed book are demarcated by a leading
“[Illustration:” and a trailing “]”. The contained text is transcribed
from the caption below the illustration. If the illustration has
a readable Japanese title in the image, that title is prepended to the
caption.
Footnotes have been renumbered and moved to the end of the book.
Illustrations within a paragraph have been move to either before or
after the paragraph. The page number in the “List of Illustrations” may
not match the new location.
Text that is indented by a single space generally indicates that it is
a block quote that was originally in a smaller font size. Often such
blocks of text had leading double quotes on each line. This has been
replaced by a single double quote at the start of each paragraph.
The Japanese language legal contract starting on page 303 has been
changed from vertical text read right to left into horizontal text read
left to right.
The Japanese publication data located before the footnotes is
translated as:
First edition published Meiji year 32 June 30 (i.e. June 30, 1899)
Second edition printed Meiji year 38 Dec 1 (i.e. Dec. 1, 1905)
Second edition published Meiji year 38 Dec 5 (i.e. Dec. 5, 1905)
Copyright owned by author
Author and publisher: Kobayashi Beika
Printer: Charles J. Branham
Printing House: Box of Curios Printing House
Note:
Kobayashi Beika was De Becker’s Japanese name. J. E. De Becker is
listed as a Yokohama solicitor on page 884 of the directory referred
to in the next paragraph.
Charles J. Branham is listed in a 1906 directory as the manager of
the printing house. V. Thorn & Son were listed as proprietors.
See:
“The Directory & Chronicle of China, Japan, Straits Settlements,
Malaya, Borneo, Siam, the Philippines, Korea, Indo-China,
Netherlands Indies, Etc.” (1906) page 45.
The addresses given are all for the Yamashitacho area in Yokohama.
The 4th edition gives Jan 30, 1906 as the publication
date for the 3rd edition.
Symbols without Unicode equivalents are presented as [SYM_x] where x is
a number. A description of each is given here:
SYM_1: Two overlapping inverted V’s with two horizontal filled dots
below
SYM_2: Two overlapping inverted V’s with two horizontal unfilled dots
below
SYM_3: Two overlapping inverted V’s with horizontal line below
SYM_4: Inverted V containing horizontal line above unfilled oval
SYM_5: Filled up pointing triangle with horizontal line below
SYM_6: Two overlapping inverted V’s
SYM_7: Two overlapping inverted V’s with filled dot below
SYM_8: Two overlapping inverted V’s with filled up pointing triangle
below
SYM_9: Three stacked inverted V’s with filled dot below
SYM_10: Three stacked inverted V’s
SYM_11: Two stacked inverted V’s with filled dot below
SYM_12: Inverted V displayed in outline form (i.e. unfilled)
SYM_13: Inverted V with filled dot below
SYM_14: Inverted V
SYM_15: Unfilled box with 大 character overlapping top edge
SYM_16: サ character with straight right vertical line
SYM_17: サ character with straight right vertical line and dash to
right side
SYM_18: Three horizontal adjacent SYM_15 and one adjacent unfilled box
SYM_19: サ character with straight right vertical line and 3 dashes to
right side
SYM_20: Three up pointing unfilled triangles vertically stacked
Other specific changes:
pg 11
“loathesome” changed to “loathsome”
pg 12
‘“Go-jik-ken-machi” (fifty house street)’ changed to
‘“Go-jik-ken-michi” (fifty house street)’ (i.e. 五十間町 changed to
五十間道)
pg 15
“cut in off in” changed to “cut it off in”
pg 17
“prostitude quarter” changed to “prostitute quarter”
pg 20
“artifical” changed to artificial”
pg 28
“those in Naganaga-ya” changed to “those in Naka-naga-ya”
pg 30
“columed” changed to “columned”
pg 33
“keepeers” changed to “keepers”
pg 33
“years” changed to “year”
pg 38
footnote on marking moved to below table title for clarity.
pg 54
“but later no this custom was” changed to
“but later on this custom was”
pg 57
“similary” changed to “similarly”
pg 58
“enagement” changed to “engagement”
pg 66
“transfered” changed to “transferred”
pg 71
“favorites” changed to “favourites”
pg 83
“the new new year” changed to “the new year”
pg 86
“memoradums” changed to “memorandums”
pg 90
“joroya” changed to “jōroya”
pg 91
“supersition” changed to “superstition”
pg 105
“caligraphy” changed to “calligraphy”
pg 111
“enhacing” changed to “enhancing”
pg 119
“throught” changed to “throughout”
pg 121
“photopraphs” changed to “photographs”
“the the convenience” changed to “the convenience”
pgs 141, 145, 149, 150, others
“efficaceous” changed to “efficacious”
pg 144
“in the the bosom of” changed to “in the bosom of”
pg 167
“gab” changed to “garb”
pg 168
“foosteps” changed to “footsteps”
pg 178
“throught” changed to “through”
pg 192
“reminisence” changed to “reminiscence”
pg 195
“proceded” changed to “proceeded”
pg 200
“weathly” changed to “wealthy”
pg 207
two adjacent instances of footnote 43 combined into one
pg 224
“acheing” changed to “aching”
pg 236
“the nick-name of of” changed to “the nick-name of”
pg 239
“like that of of” a changed to “like that of a”
pg 261
“ratainer changed to “retainer
pg 266
“acccomplished” changed to “accomplished”
pg 269
“that a woman of of” changed to “that a woman of”
pg 274
“symptons” changed to “symptoms”
pg 275
“aasist” changed to “assist”
pg 282
“be brought” changed to “he brought”
pg 304
Compatibility variant 成 (U+6210) used in item 3 rather than the less
common Unicode (U+2F8B2) which may not be available in some font
sets.
pg 324
“determing” changed to “determining”
pg 341
“oppear” changed to “appear”