Shin-Yoshiwara no Bodaiji. (The Cemetery of the Shin-Yoshiwara.)
Reading edition
The Jōkan-ji temple at Minowa, and the Dōtetsu on39 the bank (the Nihon-dzutsumi), were formerly the fixed burial places of the Yoshiwara yūjo who died during their terms of service and who had no person to take charge of their remains. Since the Restoration, however, the regulations of the prostitute quarters having been altered, the burial of a yūjo in these cemeteries is a rare occurrence.
The grave of the famous Taka-o of the Mi-ura-ya, and that of Usugumo, are both in the Dōtetsu cemetery. The grave of Usugumo is known as neko-dzuka (the-mound-of-the cat). October the 20th, 1893, having fallen on the 233rd anniversary of the death of Taka-o, a grand religious service was held in this temple and was attended by large crowds of people belonging to the Yoshiwara.
On the grave of Taka-o is written:—
Samu kaze ni Moroko mo kutsuru Momiji kana! Alas! poor maple leaves which are crushed and scattered by the cold winds.