The "Kembansho.'': (Office which manages the affairs of geisha and other professionals.)

Thesepeoplehadtoobtainlicensesfromtheheadmenof theirrespectivedistricts,butasnofixedtaxeswereimposed uponthem,alltheirearnings,includingtips(shugi)andfees (gyokudai),wentintotheirpocketsintact.Underthesecircumstances,manypersonsbegantoconsidertheadvisabilityof taxingthegeinin(artistsandart1~stes)andappropriatingsuch taxestowardsdefrayingthecommonpublicexpensesofthe Yoshiwara.Atthistimethemoralsofthegeininwereata verylowebb,andtheirconductsolaxthatgreattroublewas experiencedinthequarter.Femalegeishabegantocompete withtheregularcourtesansandopenlyofferedthemselvesas prostitutes,whilethemaleprofessionalscontractedintimacies