ABSTRACT

First Published in 2005. The Japanese geisha is the ultimate erotic icon – the courtesan par excellence - and this is her definitive book. The life of the geisha is the most secret and traditional in Japan, and today remains largely unchanged and unknown behind the tea house doors. This remarkable work was the first to reveal the hidden world of the geisha of the famous Yoshiwara quarter of Tokyo, the 'nightless city', and it has never been surpassed. Written over a hundred years ago, it is a meticulous description of every aspect of geisha life there, including the history of the geisha, life stories of famous geisha, the decoration of the tea houses, the different grades of courtesans, their costumes and hairstyles, the instruction of young girls brought to the tea houses, the art of selecting a geisha for the evening, proper conduct on the morning after, erotic practices and charms used by geisha to attract lovers. The vibrant life of the Yoshiwara quarter is evoked with finesse, portraying the procurers and madames, the festivals and geisha processions, even the menus of the tea houses, along with such matters as forms of contracts between brothels and courtesans. Profusely illustrated with photographs, prints and drawings, this is an essential volume for all who are fascinated by the sophisticated sensuality of the willow, the cherry blossom and the silken kimono.

chapter |1 pages

Yoshiwara Jinja ( Yoshiwam Shrine)

chapter |2 pages

The: Present Omon

chapter |9 pages

Classes of Brothels

chapter |17 pages

Hikite-jaya ("Introducing 1'ea-houses ")

chapter |16 pages

Classes of Prostitutes

chapter |7 pages

Kamuro: (Young Female Pages.)

chapter |6 pages

Shinzo

chapter |3 pages

Yarite: (Female Managers.)

chapter |1 pages

The "Kutsuwa."

chapter |4 pages

Wakaimono.: (Male Servants.)

chapter |21 pages

Hōkan and Geisha

chapter |9 pages

Zegen.: (Procurers.)

chapter |5 pages

The Dress of Courtesans

chapter |5 pages

Coiffures of the Yujo

chapter |8 pages

Rooms of the Yūjo

chapter |12 pages

"Sobana.": (All round "tips.")

chapter |6 pages

System of Book-keeping in the Yoshiwara

chapter |4 pages

"Kuruwa-kotoba'' or Yoshiwara Dialect

chapter |2 pages

Yoshiwara "Pot-pourri."

chapter |3 pages

Famous Things of the Yoshiwara

chapter |1 pages

Results of Medical Inspection.: 1897

chapter |18 pages

Annals of a Year

chapter |9 pages

Tōrō no koto.: (Lanterns.)

chapter |16 pages

"Niwaka" Dancing

chapter |7 pages

FurisodeKwaji(TheGreatFireofJfp,ircki)

chapter |6 pages

Kinokuni-ya Bunzaemon

chapter |17 pages

THE LAW RELATING TO BROTHELS

chapter |6 pages

Memorandum of Agreement

chapter |4 pages

The Medical Aspect

chapter |3 pages

Note on "Jigoku" or Illicit Prostitutes