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Yoshiwara, red light district, Toyko, circa 1880s. Date: circa 1880s
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Yoshiwara, red light district, Toyko, circa 1880s. Date: circa 1880s
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Media ID 20954951
© Mary Evans Picture Library/Pump Park Photography
EDITORS COMMENTS
Yoshiwara, Tokyo's Famous Red Light District in the Late 1800s: A Glimpse into Japan's Historical Entertainment Quarters This photograph offers a rare glimpse into the vibrant and intriguing world of Yoshiwara, Tokyo's notorious red light district during the late 1800s. Established in 1617, Yoshiwara was Japan's most famous and oldest licensed pleasure quarters, known for its teahouses, geisha houses, and entertainers. In this photograph, we see a bustling street scene filled with lantern-lit shops, theaters, and teahouses. The narrow, winding alleyways are lined with wooden buildings, their facades adorned with colorful decorations and intricate carvings. The atmosphere is lively and festive, with people of all walks of life mingling together. Geishas, dressed in their elegant kimonos and traditional makeup, can be seen making their way to their engagements, their fans in hand. Rikishi, or sumo wrestlers, can be spotted in the crowd, their bulging muscles and distinctive mawashi belts a clear giveaway to their profession. Men in formal attire, samurai, and merchants are also present, adding to the diverse mix of people that frequented Yoshiwara. Despite its reputation as a place of pleasure and entertainment, Yoshiwara was strictly regulated by the authorities, with rules governing the behavior of both the entertainers and their clients. The district was also known for its strict codes of conduct, which ensured a certain level of decorum and respect for the geishas and their art. This photograph provides a fascinating window into Japan's rich cultural history and the unique world of Yoshiwara, a place where tradition and modernity, pleasure and propriety, came together in a captivating and intriguing way.
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