Yoshiwara no Kyo-ka. (Comic Poetry.)

Among the many witty and epigrammatic stanzas which have been composed by well-known literary men, the following have been selected as interesting and characteristic:—

“The sight of snowy evening at the Ō-mon is so beautiful that no man is fool enough to leave the Yoshiwara satiated.” (Yomo Akara).

“On a calm Spring evening, when the women of the quarter enter their cages, it seems as if flowers were being scattered in the Yoshiwara by the bell announcing night fall. (Yomo Akara).

“Though visitors may change, the mikaeri yanagi (looking-back willow tree) is ever green, and flowers perennially scarlet.” (Kyokutei Bakin).

“Even without asking the question it is known that the miyako-dori (“oyster-catcher”) lives in the Sumida river: the person I long for lives in the Yoshiwara.” (Santō Kyōzan).

“If the wind could be kept out by shutting the Ō-mon (great gateway) the expenditure of a thousand ryō would not be begrudged for the sake of the flowers.” (Magao).

“When one is intoxicated the same thing is repeated—‘the flowers are blooming in the Yoshiwara: in the Yoshiwara the flowers are blooming’.” (Shoku Sanjin).

“In the Yoshiwara a visitor’s life is prolonged by means of the bells of “hiké yotsu,” which is struck later by two hours than the bells of the outside world.” (Shoji Nariyuki).

“All the guests being tethered to the blossom-laden cherry-trees are led into the Yoshiwara as horses are put into harness together.” (Moto no Mokuami).

“It is the season of flowers and Yoshino will find itself outrivalled by the “oiran” blossoms of the Yoshiwara.” (Tegara Okamochi).