Courtesan and Sleeping Attendant

A courtesan finds her attendant asleep. In the print we see the courtesan has her sash tied in the front. While her attendants sash is tied in the back This was customary for attendants and courtesans. Attendants were brought into the Yoshiwara at a young age. If an attendant courtesan proved she was gifted by ages 11 and 12. She would be allowed to partake in elite courtesan training. Where she would then learn etiquette and reined arts. While it may seem that an attendant is given opportunities enjoyable activities, these opportunities were never offered for their own fulfillment. Instead they were offered to them to make them more attractive to men.