Yoshiwara Nana-fushigi. (The Seven Mysteries of the Yoshiwara.)

Contrary to the “Seven mysteries” of Echigo, Suwa, Honjō, etc., all of which consist of weird ghost stories or really inexplicable mysteries, the “nana-fushigi” of the Yoshiwara are most innocent and amusing in their nature: they are as follows:—

1.⁠— Though the gateway, or great entrance door, is called the Ō-mon (great gate) there is no genkwan (entrance porch) within.

2.⁠— Though the moat around is called a creek (kashi) there are no boats visible.

3.⁠— Though one of the wards is called Sumi-chō (corner “ward” or “street”) it has no corner.

4.⁠— Though the introducing houses are called “cha-ya” (tea-houses) yet they sell no tea.

5.⁠— Though the servants in the brothels are called “shinzō” (young woman) most of them are old women.

6.⁠— Among the wakaimono (literally “young men,” but here meaning “men-servants”) are many bald-headed individuals.

7.⁠— Although the old women in the brothels, are called yarite (遣り手 = “givers”) they really give nothing but take all they can get.

Such are the “Seven mysteries” of the Yoshiwara, but the greatest mystery appears to be the fact that they should have been accepted as mysteries at all.