One Hundred Famous Views of Edo No.38Daybreak at licensed quarters

This print is of the licensed quarters called New Yoshiwara. The original quarters were established in 1617 in the centre of Edo city by permission of the shogun, who intended to maintain public order because the male population was much larger than the female population. This was the case for some period after Edo city was constructed. The name Yoshiwara was derived for three reasons: firstly, the quarters were established in a desolate area where”‘yoshi, meaning ditch reed, grew; secondly they were promoted by a man who owned an inn in Yoshiwara, Suruga Province; and thirdly, most prostitutes who worked there were brought from Yoshiwara. The size of the quarters was about 100 x 100 metres. They caught fire and burnt down in 1657. The shogun did not approve an application to rebuild the quarters on the same site, but instead ordered that they move out of the city area to a secluded place in the paddy fields north of Asakusa. To compensate for the inconvenience of the location, he permitted the building of larger quarters and allowed them to open at night. The quarters were rebuilt on the new site and thus named New Yoshiwara. The size was about 200 x 300 metres, and they were encircled by a moat about 9 metres wide. Only one gate, called Omon (meaning “the front gate”), was built in order to prevent prostitutes from escaping.
This print shows the gate at the entrance to one of the six sections within the quarters. The houses along the road are called teahouses and, as can be seen by the sky in the background, it is daybreak. A few customers who stayed overnight are leaving through the gate and, in fear of being observed, they cover their heads and faces with towels. Prostitutes are out to see their customers off at the gate, hoping for their early return.
Outside the gate runs the main street of the quarters, Nakanomachi, on both sides of which were planted cherry trees. These trees were replaced with new ones every March so that the visitors could enjoy fresh cherry blossoms in full bloom.