Street Scene in the Yoshiwara, Hishikawa Moronobu

Street Scene in the Yoshiwara, Hishikawa Moronobu (1630/31-1694), Edo Period; 1680, Monochrome Woodblock Print; Ink on Paper, 25.7 x 38.6 cm

A “Street Scene in the Yoshiwara” allows a glimpse into the daily lives of those within the Yoshiwara district. The importance of this print lies within the scene depicted in the upper left-hand corner. This scene depicts a customer, with his face hidden beneath a straw hat, viewing the women on exhibition within their barred room (harmise). The man sitting within the room is an assistant who is helping the man select a woman for a sexual act.(The Metropolitan Museum of Art) If we look at this scene from the viewpoint of those living at the time, such as those in the foreground passing by, this is just another day; another occurrence, in fact this interaction is the main attraction of the Yoshiwara district. However, if we look at this scene from a modern viewpoint, we can equate this to human trafficking and socially accepted sex-slavery. The women are treated as objects with a lack of anatomy, lack of options, and choice. They sit in a room on display waiting to be chosen, like a pet at a store or an animal in a zoo. It is also important to note that this oppression was most likely not considered oppression by the women of the time. As stated above this was socially accepted and considered an honor and duty for these women to become a courtesan. It was one of the only ways for them to provide and honor their families. But this still exhibits their lack of choice and control as they are still indentured to their brothels, unable to leave and forced to participate in whatever their customer’s desire. Violence and sexually transmitted diseases were rampant, masked by the gauzy romanticism of the male gaze. This also harmful romanticism is forced onto the women’s gender roles of the time. It overshadows the socially accepted oppression of these women and has led to a severe lack in the first-hand accounts of the women of the Yoshiwara District. It is all about socially implemented male dominance and control.