Yoshiwara

by Eve Kaan

  Also, quite unique collections of shunga are offered here, that are made to satisfy all demanding needs our clients possibly could have. Each branch is dedicated to upbringing and nurturing the unique girls with specialized skills. In order to uprise such a girl, effective organization and quality are needed. We take care of them in the best possible way and provide them with high education that woman rarely have the opportunity to acquire.

  The average earning of each girl extends to amounts ten times larger than some paltry wage from the field. They can afford the luxury of silk and scent oils. For little girls on the streets, we assure a life they would only dream of if they were to be left in miserable orphanages, just as Uta once was.

  I'm not sure whether greataunt Etsu has ever done something like this, but I didn't have a choice. It's a pity - for her first night to be retained by some yokel wretch.

  First time I saw her, she was on that settee, looking at the facade of the Great House - her gaze filled with anticipation while she was enjoying the candy in her fingers. Her skin glowed beneath the sun, like the silk I wore. For a moment there, I wanted to approach her and touch that pearly skin with snowflake tenderness. Her dark green eyes had joyful freshness like evening dew on a white flower of flaky water lily, just like the one I'm looking at right now.

  I came to an iron wooden beside the lake in the garden. The glow of moonlight is revealing a diversity of plant world living in this lake with golden fish. I completely relaxed with another cigarette. Her first women have to be a real lady of manners, not someone who looks at her so vulgarly with lust.

  Either way, this is my job, and I should influence some outcomes - just to ensure for young girls to have an evening that will be sympathetically remembered. She was dancing in style different from what is usually seen. I listened to each of the spoken sentences at that table, addressed to those simpletons, and the level of her art and education goes above all greataunt Etsu's stories about the best Yoshiwara girls. If only for that, hasn't she deserved a lady of sophisticated intentions. I'm thinking of this while holding the napkin from the place of female spring, that smells like rose petal softened skin.

  ✽✽✽

  Uta

  Isn't it a shame when a debutant is spending an evening like a moll under the tree? The cold breeze snapped me from slumber. I was lying on the settee. I must have fallen asleep from exhaustion. Perhaps I fainted because of the fate that found me tonight. My body could no longer undergo standing by the settee, so at some point, I just leaned on it a little bit, then, adjusting more comfortably, I ended up spending the whole night out like some uneducated girl. I just can't believe I'm dumped like that.

  The sun appeared on the horizon, but the streets are still empty. I have to hurry home before the doors of the Great House opens - otherwise, I'll be seen here by every girl who turned into a woman overnight, earmarked with their obi tied on the front. Of course, it's just me who's unique, and the only one experiencing nothing but waiting. I must have been bought by one of those drunken old crones, and she most certainly forgot all about me from intoxication.

  I'm walking steeply down the street. Through all that happened to me, this tight kimono really annoys me. Because of it, I'm moving in snail steps. What am I going to tell Mother when I see her? She will be proud, probably waiting with a full booklet of my future clients already, and I'm not in a position to even attend parties anymore. I'm nothing now - neither a night lady nor a debutant. Out of everyone in Yoshiwara, that just had to happen to me. Deep despair follows me.

  I have to compose myself.

  It happens, I'm not the only exception. I've already heard stories in which a debutant waited for a few days.

  Nervousness brought me home in a blink of an eye. I bravely took a breath before crossing the threshold, then climbed the stairs on my fingertips - in silence. I couldn't help myself, it's hard to be alone with such thoughts, so I went to Utano's door. Opening it slowly, in stress, not wanting to wake up the other rooms by being loud.

  In front of me appeared a scene I did not expect.

  Mother sleeping on futon holding Utanos head on her chest while breathing serenely like a child. This situation actually comforts me. I've never seen Mother’s gentle side, though no one had such a great misfortune so far. I remember once when I caught a bad cold. She took care of me but not this much, although I must admit she was visiting me several times a day. Poor Utano, it must be tough for her to be treated with such care. I won't bother her with my nonsense. So I went to my room and threw myself down on futon straight as a board since I have no one to help me unfold the obi. Be strong, I said to myself before falling asleep.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  I'm laying in my bed thinking of how to get up, though I'm awake since lunchtime.

  Because of the tightened obi, I can't bend in the waist. I need some support. My hair became disheveled from my body rolling, in an attempt to grab on a raised piece of furniture. I may soon be choked from these hair locks. Thay intrusively invade my mouth, but not just that, my eyes are not spared of it despite the fact that I hold them tightly squeezed. I turned facing the floor, shifted hair from my face, and slowly crawled to a small commode beside the door. Grasping the firm surface with my hands, I finally ascended to my feet. I feel dirty, and I'm still innocent. There's no other choice than to go down with this appearance and get released from my obi. As soon as everyone would set their eyes on me, they will know what I've been through.

  'Uta' Mother outcried while sitting at the table. 'Come on, child - what happened to you, you're all messed up?'

  Kaoru and Hana watched me in shock.

  'Are you okay?' Kaoru asked worriedly.

  Mother is unfastening my obi off. 'You were not touched - so what did they do with you Uta - to look like this?' Relaxation spread through my belly. I stood in restraint from tears.

  'Thay did nothing with me, absolutely nothing. That's why I look like this.' I answered firmly by hiding fear, but then I noticed the trembling of my vocals, 'I'm going to bathe Mother - if you allow me before I join you for a meal - can I?'

  'Of course Uta,' she replied with sympathy. I stepped into the hallway, and those bitter tears fell before any comfort could consume my heart.

  'Utaaaa! UTAA!' My sister called me.

  I ran with all my strength, climbing the stairs. After entering the room and silently felling in her embrace, she started to waggle me when my loud sobs incurred.

  'We'll soon leave this place, my little sister, I will save us from this mud. Only a little more is needed for one debt to be repaid - you will go first. You will start a life away from this place. I'll be joining you soon enough, and then we'll have tea on a porch of our tiny cottage together every day,' she dreamily said, 'while spending our time on a large field full of rice seedlings. The sun will warm our cheeks, so we'll have to buy those ugly straw hats,' she kissed me on the forehead, and continued,' we can have some animals if you'd like...' Her voice calmed me no matter what she was talking about.

  'Utano, I spent the night alone. On settee beside the lake. I waited for her until sunrise. What will happen with me now Utano? What will Mother do to me?' The panic consumed me, 'All those stories about girls who were waiting for their first night a couple of days didn't go like this - the girls would spend their first night to be, in a walk with their clients or even taken to their homes where they would first familiarize with each other - acquainting for a while. I never heard the story where a girl was being left alone. I don't know who bought me, or why. How am I going to make my earnings now? What if she does not get in touch? You know all too well how much gold I owe to Yoshiwara.'

  To my surprise, she laughed cheerfully. 'I was scared, I thought you ended up with some drunk, fat, stinky, and coarse old hag,' she looked at me warmly, 'Uta, that's a good sign in fact. You should be happy. Perhaps your mysterious lady has different plans from all these other clients, in mind - maybe it's her first time as well, so she needs some time.'

&nbs
p; 'And maybe she just got drunk and forgot me?'

  Utano just waved her hand. 'Come on Uta, if she was capable of spilling a coin bag, then she was able to finish the evening with you in her hands. The most important thing is that she paid for it - if only you could see Mother last night - she was delighted with the amount she received. Don't worry Uta, it will certainly be disentangled - today even.'

  I sniffed a little. 'Do you really think so?'

  'Why, of course, who would be foolish enough to let you wait for long?'

  As I was rising up, my hand accidentally brushed her leg. Through the gritted teeth, she slightly hissed.

  I immediately jumped. 'I'm so sorry, are you alright?'

  With a painful expression immediately turned into a smile, she replied, 'It's all right, I'm doing well. In a few days, I'll be as good as new.'

  'Uhhh - I frightened that I hurt your wound earlier - well, I'm going to wash. I love you, Utano.'

  Ceremonial kimono is removed, my body finally soaked in water, and this kind of relaxation helps in relieving a significant amount of stress. I need only a little patience.

  Kaoru was telling Hana at the table about luxury she had experienced in the Great House. When I entered - the room suddenly silenced.

  The night falls, and there's still no trace of a mysterious lady.

  Again, the treacherous nervousness started to consume me. Mother absentmindedly drank tea with us, and with a flat tone said, 'Calm down dear, the important thing is that she paid. She'll show up, don't worry - she wouldn't miss such a girl...'

  ✽✽✽

  Moon and sun have exchanged already more than a few times. I'm still waiting for the one who dispensed a great amount of gold for me. I went back to my usual work. This time with obi of my kimono tied on the front, although I'm still treated as a debutant at home. In fact, they treat me like a child. The guests have literally become a mystery for me. Mother didn't know what to say if some of them were to request for me. It's hard to endure constipation from being closed in these four walls, I haven't gone outside from the shame of how to explain if anyone would ask or notice, that I am innocent and ceremony has been completed long ago. Tension is making me anxious.

  I went out for a short walk, hiding in shadows of blossoming tree crows from unwanted views during my deep absorption of fresh air filled with clear thoughts. This lady will appear, she most certainly wouldn't throw all those golden coins to leave me waiting forever. Moreover, she was the one who chose me, not the other way around. There is nothing ordinary in my life, so I don't know why I even hoped that this situation would be any different. I said the walk would be short, but when I turned around the corner, I saw Sayuri. Just the one I wanted to avoid. She is approaching me in brisk steps wearing a kimono decorated with golden patterns, her obi tied on the front and combs attached in the hair. Sayuri no longer looked like a young debutant girl, she was a grown woman. Spotting me, she started to wave as if we haven't seen each other for two annual cycles.

  'Utaaaa!' She shouted, and continued, 'Ohooo, obi on the front fits you well. It shows that you've become a real woman. And how are you managing with a new way of wearing it?' She babbled.

  I fumbled. 'Sayuri, that night has passed...'

  She immediately cut me short. 'Hahaha... I know, I see it on you, and it was all tedious for me as well - until that part - you know what I mean. See how big of a tip I got! Enough to buy this kimono, I'm a real woman now after all. From the next client, I'm starting to save for debt repayment. We have to treat ourselves a bit. I see your tip was also generous. Your kimono is beautiful.'

  I modestly said, 'It was given to me by Utano, I didn't...'

  She interrupted me again, this time with a dose of sarcasm, 'You are smart Uta! Immediately dealing with your debt - indulge your needs, enjoy. Debt won't go anywhere - you are young now. For what purpose will you need nice clothing when you get old? Look at me, don't I look all tempting?'

  This is a little annoying, everything's always about her. That's why I never had much patience in our encounters. 'I'm must go Sayuri, I'm glad we've run into each other.' With polite respond, my steps started to pick up the pace carrying me toward the center of Yoshiwara settlement.

  She stayed behind me. Only in the distance a confused voice could be heard, 'Uta, I'll see you on some tea - maybe - sometimes...' I didn't answer, my best choice was to play deaf.

  I had to go to that settee. Maybe there's some missed sign or something.

  Soon I found myself in front of the Great House seeing the closed doors. Not even the windows are left open for some fresh air to enter. I walked to that settee, resting down.

  Life in Yoshiwara continued ordinarily as if the ceremonial evening had never happened. Here on square stood the same stands selling candies, and people are swirling around the lake as always. Women went by, going through shopping. Everyone besides me was back on with their lives. Despair for my ceremonial failure has returned. It's probably Sayuri's fault, I was finally able to calm myself for a few moments, and then she had to show up with her stories. It feels like the entire world has changed, and everything just looks like an old life practice from the outside. Not even the scent below this tree is the same as it was a few days ago. And the mud under this settee was created without rain falling. Removing my foot out of the puddle, I spotted the spent cigarette of a specific tone. Its edge contains clenched traces of a silver stick. That was her. What was she doing here, what lustfulness!? So how often does she visit Yoshiwara, is she so insatiable. If she loves women that much, why not find herself a girl to love and whose company she won't have to pay.

  I was observing that cigar, imagining her sitting here waiting for girls with magic smiles. It is truly superficial to live only on the basis of physical urge. That kind of personality disgusts me. Why do I even bother with such thoughts? If there weren't for women like her, neither would be Yoshiwaras existence.

  In fact, despair is more appealing to me than the thought of some lady with insatiable appetites.

  ✽✽✽

  Rin

  I smoke a cigarette, one after the other, while walking past the lake of my own garden. There's no end to this waiting for Gina and Nori with the upcoming news that would calm my nerves. I closed the Great House. We suspect on a break of cholera in the night of the ceremony. Several clients with symptoms came to us after they had spent the evening with our tasty plates full of delicacies. No one besides Madam and us knows the reason behind the suspension of our work. Yoshiwara mustn't find out what's going on, or general panic would arise. We are not sure what the cause is, and it's not confirmed yet with certainty that it is cholera in question. The situation in Yoshiwara is continuously monitored. We are inspecting while hoping that our girls are not infected. In the morning we secretly emptied the Great House to clear the central well, in case if its water is contagious. We thoroughly reviewed the origin of all the foods that were served to our guests. If this terrible disease would spread, we will find ourselves in great trouble. Any potential epidemic must be dealt with immediately.

  I sent people of trust to gather new information by going over nearby homes of infected clients. I stand in anticipation as horse-run stops. Madam is in that carriage.

  She came out in a speed of lightning. 'Several Yoshiwaras girls have symptoms.' My body shuddered all the way from my foot to the neck.

  'Who?' I asked quickly. Unexpectedly Uta was first on my mind.

  'Girls who haven't been in the Great House that night, and even days before that. I haven't learned all the names, and I only heard this at the chat level.'

  I felt some strange relief, she was the only one I could think of at the moment. I don't understand what's happening to me. We stepped into the house to refresh ourselves with some tea made of mint leaves.

  'What will we do next?' She asked, frightened.

  "It's early for conclusions, but according to what you said, maybe it's not our fault. First, we need to find out the names of unlucky girls
with symptoms.' I answered, leading her to the table in this late hours of the night. 'Make yourself comfortable, I'll be right back.'

  I do not know how those girls are connected to infected clients. I'm going to bring records from previously organized parties. There is written when and where our clients used Yoshiwaras streets services. Upon coming back to where Madam is seated, with all written records full of information in my hands, I said, 'We have to begin with finding the names and places where the ones with symptoms have been in the past ten days.'

  Gina and Nori lurched through the door.

  'It's cholera, the doctor now confirmed,' they said at the same time.

  Uta passed through my head again. What if it's still the Great House's fault? 'Our reaction must be urgent. In some cases, incubation of the disease could last even for a few days,' I said, hiding my rising panic from the tone of a pronounced sentence.

  'I found several records. It may be useful,' Madam said with a hopeful voice. Nori and Gina came to the table, taking notes, and she went on, 'all five clients spent the evening together - in one of their houses, a few days before the ceremony. Here is a list of our girls that were present...'

  Utas's sister is on it, she was there. My knees weakened. Drops of cold sweat covered the surface of my body. A strange need to find out what's happening in her house arises in me, it would be a pity indeed for such a beautiful girl as Uta to get infected.

  'Are you alright Rin, you're very pale?' Gina worriedly asked.

  I immediately composed myself. Cholera is rarely transmitted to a healthy person from the infected one, we all know that food or water is involved. But if the girls brought some leftover plates to their homes, I should not even think about the consequences. Yoshiwara would fall apart under the epidemic. I have to find out what's happening in each of those houses!