Shaten 斜天 (active 18th century)
Donshi 呑獅 (d. 1789)
A Thousand Locations in a Single Glance
(Hitome sengen 一目千軒)
Japan, Edo period (1615-1868), 1754
Woodblock-printed book; ink on paper
Purchase, Richard Lane Collection, 2003
(TD 2012-03-046)
Although the Yoshiwara eventually became renowned as the most famous of Japan’s pleasure quarters, there were districts licensed for prostitution in many urban areas, including the two primary cities of Kyoto and Osaka.
This illustration provides a bird’s-eye view of Shinmachi, the pleasure quarter in Osaka, while at the same time suggesting the appearance of the houses of assignation (ageya), where high-ranking courtesans met with their clients, in the Yoshiwara and other similar districts. Of particular note are the elaborate interior gardens complete with carefully manicured pine trees, water basins and stone lanterns.