Cultural Comp: Courtesans of Japan
Alright guys, here’s another comp, but first a quick note. The reason I’m doing this on another traditional Japanese profession is because no one made any suggestions in the last comp and I stumbled across this profession while studying the Geisha for my last comp. An anon did suggest being interested in learning about some German traditional professions but seeing as they didn’t give me the name of one I couldn’t find any. It’s hard to research something when you don’t know what it’s called. So please, please, leave a suggestion.
Okay, now that that’s out of the way, let’s get started.
Like many ancient cultures, sex was a major part of the citizen’s lives, even more so than today, so prostitution was something quite common just about everywhere. Paying for sex wasn’t as much of a taboo as it is today, so like many cultures, Japan had it’s own variation of sexual sales.
To begin, in Japan there were three types of courtesans, each differing in the over all experience. At the bottom of the totem pole of erotic entertainment were the Yoshiwara girls. These were your common red light district ladies. The process was very black and white, you choose the girl, you go back into a room (Like brothels in the West), you both do your business and you part ways. Usually girls who worked in these districts were from poorer families, they were housed by the brothels and used most of their pay to continue living there.
Okay, now that that’s out of the way, let’s get started.
Like many ancient cultures, sex was a major part of the citizen’s lives, even more so than today, so prostitution was something quite common just about everywhere. Paying for sex wasn’t as much of a taboo as it is today, so like many cultures, Japan had it’s own variation of sexual sales.
To begin, in Japan there were three types of courtesans, each differing in the over all experience. At the bottom of the totem pole of erotic entertainment were the Yoshiwara girls. These were your common red light district ladies. The process was very black and white, you choose the girl, you go back into a room (Like brothels in the West), you both do your business and you part ways. Usually girls who worked in these districts were from poorer families, they were housed by the brothels and used most of their pay to continue living there.
Yoshiwara girls in their brothel. They often sat inside of these barred windows where potential patrons could view them and then discuss business with their mistress.
The ages of these girls varied from their early teens to their mid 30’s and sometimes 40’s though by that age they could own their own brothel and help support their own girls.
The one level of Yoshiwara Girls to the next level of Oiran is quite a leap. Unlike the Yoshiwara girls, meeting with an Oiran was more ceremonial. Instead of meeting at the brothel, Oiran lived in Okiya, much like Geisha today do. You couldn’t request the company of an Oiran but instead be invited to a teahouse where she would meet you. From there, there would be a huge procession through the town from the okiya to the teahouse. In this procession, were men to make the announcement and child servants called Kamuro who carried the Oiran’s belongings. Practicing mainly in Tokyo, Oiran were considered fashionistas of their time, instead of tying their obi in the back, they proudly displayed them in the front and wore tall Okobo (Wood shoes) without tabi socks along with an Uchikake over their main kimono (Uchikake are normally worn during wedding ceremonies by the bride.) The procession was slow and was quite a sight and was so orchestrated it was like a dance in it’s own right. Once the Oiran met with her guests she would entertain with some dances and conversation along with her servants helping to serve alcohol and food. After the festivities she would sleep with the host of the party with her priceless Kimono still on.
An Oiran and her Kamuro. Notice how high her okobo are! To walk in them they didn't take steps, they would tilt the large heavy sandal to the side and slide it on it's edge in the slow procession. Also it's important to note that Oiran did not wear wigs. They got their natural hair worked into this style.
With the advancement of westernization and how elaborate their company was to obtain (Along with the illegalization of Prostitution in Japan) the Oiran culture eventually fell away and became something of the past though it’s certainly not forgotten. You can still see Oiran performances (On stages as opposed to tea houses) and still witness a procession in a place called Edo Town (Located in Tokyo). Here they hold reenactments complete with an Oiran procession and a dance. Tourists also really enjoy dressing up as Oiran (And Geisha, and ninja, and Samurai) so sometimes you’ll see people wearing simplified versions of their regalia running around.
A modern-day Oiran-procession. Unlike real Oiran, they wear wigs for obvious reasons, but this is very much like the processions that Oiran participated in to meet their clients.
Finally, there are the Tayuu. A close cultural “cousin” of the Oiran. They practiced in Kyoto long ago and were considered the Divas of the hanamachi. Unlike Oiran, they practiced more arts and were generally more well educated. They sang, danced, played instruments but after all that was done, they had sex with the host. They also had processions, though much less flashy than that of the Oiran. Again, like Oiran, they invited you, you didn’t invite them, and they met you at a tea house.
A tayuu poses with another woman (Possibly a Geiko) Like the Oiran, her natural hair is worked into that style, and you can see that she also is not wearing tabi socks.
Now you may be telling yourself “Well, they’re just more artistic Oirans.” But there’s one major difference and that’s that they still exist.
After westernization took hold and prostitution was illegal, Tayuu changed things up. They took sex out of the equation in a big way including the fact that no man is allowed to touch them. They downsized the extravagant parades to quiet affairs where they simply walk from the okiya to the teahouse with one or two servants (With child labor illegal, these girls aren’t sworn to servitude, instead they volunteer) including someone to carry an umbrella over them if it’s raining (They have to carry their kimono since it drags on the ground). Patrons still have to be invited by the Tayuu and there is usually a middle man involved that passes your interest in meeting the Tayuu along to them. They will host a dinner for you, dance, play music, and make tea before the night ends. After that, they bid you goodbye and continue on to their next appointment. They also engage in a plethora of ceremonial festivities.
Maiko Tomitae-san with Kikugawa Tayuu-san. Again, just as with the old days, the Tayuu get their hair naturally worked into that style. Unlike Maiko, though, it's worked into that style before the events as opposed to keeping it in that style for 5 days. The whole process of getting the hair ready takes 4 hours. Kikugawa Tayuu-san is one of the last Tayuu still practicing today.
Today there are only about 5 Tayuu left (I only know the names and faces of three of them). Their training is long and rigorous if done the traditional way which is working under the okiya as a volunteer Kamuro it can take from childhood until the girls reach their 20’s. Usually if a girl is interested she must go through the rigorous training much like Maiko. While an apprentice they do not acquire a professional name and instead are all simply referred to as Furisode Tayuu-san. The first Tayuu to go through the process from Kamuro to fully fledged Tayuu in 50 years recently debuted, her name is Aoi Tayuu-san.
Aoi Tayuu-san present for an outdoor ceremony. She is the first Tayuu in 50 years to take the traditional path to become a Tayuu, starting from a Kamuro to Furisode-Tayuu, all the way to Tayuu, a process that can take roughly 15 years to complete.
Though the culture at this point has so few people preserving it, those still practicing are highly respected and highly sought after. Despite the trials and tribulations, those still practicing are proud and hold onto their traditions as tightly as they can. This is a culture we may see die out within our lifetime, which is sad.
The famous Kisaragi Tayuu-san. She has been featured in a couple documentaries and is known to be very smiley.
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