Note 6 — History of the Yoshiwara Yūkwaku.1

These “bath-houses” were in reality houses of assignation and unlicensed brothels. Carrying on their business under this innocent title they engaged women called “Kami-arai-onna,” or (for want of a better word) “shampooers,” but these females were really “jigoku” (“Hell women”) and were selected for their beauty in order to attract persons to “take baths.” The “bath-house” women were not only as beautiful and accomplished as the regular courtesans, but they were cheaper and would accommodate guests either day or night, whereas, the regular girls were only permitted to exercise their calling in the day time. These unlicensed prostitutes were so numerous that they seriously interfered with the business of the real Yoshiwara, and it was to the interest of regular brothel-keepers that they should be suppressed.