Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
and its surrounding ring of
samurai
residences, and by the merchants, for their own prop-
erty. The central government's men were organized very much like the police. They had
leather protective clothing and helmets with hoods. The townsmen engaged builders, espe-
ciallyroofersandtilers,anddressedtheminheavycottonclothing.Hookswereusedtopull
downburningroofs,andinthe1760swoodenpumpswereintroducedtoprojectstreamsof
water. Fire towers were erected throughout the city, and were equipped with bells for the
alarm to be sounded, the distance and magnitude of the fire being indicated by the rhythm
and violence of the strokes. There is no doubt that many potentially serious fires were ex-
tinguished by quick and resolute action.
Townsmen were denied some of the entertainments enjoyed by their social superiors, es-
pecially during the first half of the period. Later, class barriers began to break down, as
samurai
whose income was inadequate began to earn money in trade, and rich merchants
with social aspirations not only took up hobbies and pursuits formerly considered as out-
side their sphere, but also bought adoption into
samurai
families for themselves or their
sons. But in the seventeenth century the townsmen sought their own entertainment, which
became centered upon two closely connected phenomena, the popular theatre and the
brothel district.
The Tokugawa government had the military mind's approach to prostitution. It recog-
nised that the lower orders needed sexual outlets, but was very anxious that uncontrolled
license should not be given freedom to develop. It therefore set up districts in the great
cities where brothels were concentrated and where an eye could be kept on them; it also
allowed travelers to be entertained in the post-stations on the main roads. The district in
Edo was known as Yoshiwara, a name which originally signified “reed plain,” from the
natureofthegroundwhereithadbeensetup;lateroneofthecharactersusedinwritingthe
name was changed to another with the same pronunciation so that it came to mean “lucky
plain.” Yoshiwara was not very lucky at first, for between its foundation in 1617 and 1643
it was burnt down no less than four times; partly because of this, and partly because, with
the spread of the city, it had become embarrassingly near the center, it was moved to a site
on the eastern outskirts, where it was to remain until its final dissolution after the Pacific
War.
