The Oiran Shirayu of Wakanaya attended by Two Kamuro and Shinzo

Katsukawa Shunchō, “The Oiran Shirayu of Wakanaya attended by Two Kamuro and Shinzo”, ca. 1778, Polychrome woodblock print; ink and color on paper, 13 × 9 in. (33 × 22.9 cm)

The image depicts 3 distinct classes of Courtesans. The oldest is an Oiran accompanied by her 2 Kamuro and a Shinzo. Kamuro is the lowest-ranked within the Yoshiwara and is normally between the ages of 9-13. They often have household tasks within their separate pleasure houses such as daily chores, maintenance, and helping their assigned courtesan with whatever they need. They have an intricate relationship with their courtesans as oftentimes it resembles those of siblings between an older and a younger sister. They learn the tricks of the trade under the courtesans for when they come of age. As for Shinzo, they were normally between the ages of 14-17 and there are 4 distinct classes the first is the Bandou Shinzou who were girls not too attractive so they took care of the other courtesans and continued household chores into their later years. The second class of Shinzo was called the Furisode Shinzou who were trainees in becoming higher ranking courtesans who did not take customers in order to preserve their beauty. The third was the Tomesode shinzou who were similar to furisode shinzou however they did not have a future as a higher ranking courtesan so they took customers. The fourth group was the Taiko shinzou who were courtesans who didn't have many customers for sex work but were skilled at entertainment and other arts, who would often show their talents at banquets.