Kinokuni-ya Bunzaemon.
In the Emp� era (1673–1680) there lived, in the vicinity of Nakahashi, Yedo, a man named Bunzaemon. This individual was a person of very humble extraction, but aided by his native shrewdness he managed to amass an enormous fortune in a comparatively short time, and the extravagance of his expenditure furnishes the theme for many a strange story to be found in Japanese novels. The true narrative of Bunzaemon’s life has probably never been written, as every version appears apocryphal and more or less tainted with a strong vein of fiction, but perhaps it will be interesting to peruse the following story which is no doubt as true as any other told about the whimsical parvenu. One year Bunzaemon purchased, at a very insignificant figure, a large quantity of vegetable marrows, fruit of the egg-plant, etc., which had been used as votive offerings at the festival of the dead (sh�-ky�-matsuri) in the seventh month. These various vegetables he pickled in a mixture of salt and rice bran and held in stock until such time as he could dispose of them. In the same year a most destructive fire broke out in the city, and as this caused a considerable rise in the market prices of commodities, Bunzaemon was able to unload his large stock of pickles at an enormous profit. With the money thus realized he immediately started out to Kiso in Shinano Province in order to buy lumber. For the purpose of making the simple country folk think him a rich and generous person he purposely and ostentatiously showed great liberality in giving the children in the neighbourhood gold coins as playthings. This plan succeeded admirably, and before he left the district he found himself the owner of a large tract of valuable forest land on which stood an immense quantity of timber. Later on the timber merchants of Yedo poured into Kiso to replenish their stocks which had been exhausted on account of an extraordinary demand caused by a great fire. To their astonishment and disgust they found that every available forest had already been secured by the astute Bunzaemon, and under these circumstances they were compelled to relinquish their quest and return to Yedo, where they purchased the necessary lumber from him at a considerable advance over cost. Not only did he make an enormous profit over the lumber speculation, but he made a fortune in contracting for the erection of mansions for daimy� who had been burnt out in the fire. Up to this time he had been residing in an obscure corner of the city with his aged mother, but now he blossomed out as a merchant prince and started a large firm at Ko-ami-ch�, employing an army of clerks and servants. The firm-name adopted was “Kinokuni-ya,� and thenceforth the proprietor of the concern was known as “Kinokuni-ya Bunzaemon.� He then purchased a comfortable house for himself and his mother at Isshiki-ch�, Fukagawa. Having once amassed a substantial capital, Bunzaemon’s prosperity increased with the rapidity of the glorious rays of the rising sun. One larger contract after another fell into his hands, and among other orders he secured were those for rebuilding the Gokoku-ji temple (at Ko-ishi-kawa), the family mausoleums of the Tokugawa Shoguns, etc. After the completion of the latter contract Bunzaemon entertained in princely style all the Shogunate officials connected with the work. Excursion boats were engaged, and the officials went out on the Sumida-gawa (river) accompanied by many popular professional entertainers, including Hanabusa Itch�, Nakamura Kichibei, and Shink�. After enjoying their picnic, the party proceeded to the Yoshiwara, each man wearing a reed hat (ami-gasa) in accordance with the prevalent fashion. Bunzaemon was very fond of a style of song called the Handayu-bushi and took lessons in the same from the actor—Yedo Handayu. The latter had a great weakness for gambling and at one time lost everything he had, including his marionettes and their clothes, so he was unable to continue his performances and he got into every low water. Hearing of Handayu’s misfortunes, Bunzaemon gave him two thousand ry� in exchange for a written promise never to indulge himself in gambling again, so the actor was able to redeem his puppets and effects and resume his business. At the beginning of the same year, Bunzaemon, in accordance with his usual practice, visited the Yoshiwara followed by a large number of professional entertainers, and made minute enquiries as to how much it would cost to engage the whole place to the extent of closing the great gate and refusing admittance to outsiders. The reply was that 2,300 ry� (Yen 23,000) would work the oracle, and Bunzaemon immediately concluded the bargain, had the gates closed, and held high revel with the whole population of the quarter at his heels.
In the 11th year of Genroku (1698) he secured the contract to construct the temples at Ueno, and large sums of money flowed into the great merchant’s coffers. On this occasion again Bunzaemon invited the Government officials concerned to go out with him on the river Sumida, and he engaged a number of minor poets and actors to bear them company and enliven the proceedings. The party set out from the Kanda-gawa and landed on the other side of the Sumida-gawa to pay a visit to the Inari Shrine at Mimeguri, the day being enlivened by a display of fire-works, etc. It happened that year that there had been a great drought in the land and not-withstanding the prayers offered for rain not a drop fell. When Bunzaemon and his companions visited the shrine (called “Mimeguri-no-Yashiro�) one of the farmers noticed that Kikaku (a famous poet) was among the company, and addressing the latter begged that he would compose a poem so touching that it would move Heaven to send rain upon the earth and thus gladden the hearts of all living things. The farmer pointed out that there was a precedent for this course as Ono no Komachi (a celebrated poetess in past times) had been successful in persuading the gods to grant a similar boon by means of a poem. Kikaku modestly disclaimed being able to control the elements, but he went into the shrine, prayed, and then wrote down:—
| Yūdachi ya Ta wo mimeguri no Kami naraba. | “Oh send a shower of rain, if thou art indeed the God who supervises the harvest, for thou knowest the sad state of the fields. |
This poem he offered up to the shrine, and tradition states that Heaven was so pleased with the production that rain commenced to fall very shortly afterwards and the whole earth was gladdened by the refreshing showers and cool breezes. Kikaku having performed this pious and laudable act, the whole party went to the Yoshiwara and for the second time the gates of that gay quarter were closed by virtue of Bunzaemon’s money. Once, three rich men from Ōsaka and Ky�to visited Bunzaemon in order to make his acquaintance, and he entertained them most hospitably, offering them every luxury and pleasure that his enormous wealth could command. In the course of conversation one of the visitors expressed his belief that any man could procure the love and favour of a courtesan if he only possessed money: this statement rather offended Bunzaemon but he dissembled his real feelings and later on promised the three visitors to take them to the Yoshiwara on the following evening. Meanwhile, Bunzaemon sent four of his people to Ōtsuya Sanshir� in the Yoshiwara and made arrangements with him to engage every courtesan and tea-house in the place and to buy up everything that a visitor to the quarter would require: in short, the closing of the great gateway (�-mon) was carried out in a more general and thorough way than ever before. The following day the three wealthy men from the West arrived at Imado-bashi in boats, accompanied by Bunzaemon and a gay company, and were received by the tea-house people, geisha, h�kan, etc., all of whom wore clothes given to them by Bunzaemon and bearing his crest. Bunzaemon now led his guests through Naka-no-ch� and the other streets of the Yoshiwara, both sides of which were lined with courtesans, shinz�, kamuro, and other inmates of the quarter who had turned out in large numbers to welcome him. He then entered the “Ōtsu-ya� tea-house and from there proceeded to an age-ya called “Owari-ya� where he held a great banquet. The three rich men from the West now wished to send for courtesans to attend them, but to their great astonishment they were informed that as everything in the Yoshiwara had been bought up by Bunzaemon there were neither any women to be had nor eatables to be procured. The visitors protested most indignantly at this treatment and spoke about their wealth and possessions, but the words fell on deaf ears, and finally the crestfallen trio had to trudge away on foot owing to the fact that Bunzaemon had taken care to engage all the available boats and palanquins beforehand. It appears that these three men were very much incensed in consequence of the trick Bunzaemon had played them, and that they consulted together with a view to “getting even� with him. It seems, however, that they were not successful in hitting upon a suitable plan and that they eventually slunk away home “with their tails between their legs.�
Although Bunzaemon caused the great gateway to be closed on three occasions, this is not all he did. There are many interesting stories told about the extraordinary life which this extraordinary man led and the various pranks he played. For instance it is stated that he would at times fling showers of golden coins about to be scrambled for by the persons present, and there is a curious story told about his extravagance in competing with another rich man, named Naramo, when the two attempted to vie with each other in prodigality and luxury. There is also a tradition which mentions the magnificent banquet given by Bunzaemon in the Naka-no-ch� on the occasion of a snow-viewing party.
THE LAW RELATING TO BROTHELS[59]
Notification No. 40. Issued by the Metropolitan Police Board, T�ky�, 7th July, 1896 (Meiji 29 nen 7 gwatsu 7 ka.)
Notification No. 12 containing regulations relative to the control of brothels (kashi-zashi), introducing tea-houses (hikite-jaya) and courtesans (sh�gi) issued by the Metropolitan Police Board in March 1889 (Meiji 22 nen 3 gwatsu) is hereby amended and revised as follows: The new regulations are also to be enforced in Nishitama-g�ri, Minamitama-g�ri and Kitatama-g�ri, and should the provisions of this notification conflict with those of previous notifications the latter shall become null and void from the day that the present regulations are put into force.
REGULATIONS.
For the Control of Brothels, Introducing Tea-houses, and Courtesans.
Chapter I.
Brothels and Introducing Tea-houses.
Art. 1.—The business of brothel-keeping, or the keeping of hikite-jaya shall only be carried on in places approved by the Metropolitan Police Board, and no new establishments will be permitted outside of the yūkwaku (a place set apart for prostitute houses).
Art. 2.—Persons desirous of opening a brothel (kashi-zashiki) or hikite-jaya shall send in a petition to that effect to the Metropolitan Police Board through the Police Station having jurisdiction, and obtain a license: the same formality shall be observed should it be desired to change the seat of the business. The petition shall contain the following particulars:—
| (a). | Place of registration, position or rank, place of residence, surname and personal name, age. |
| (b). | Name of the kashi-zashiki or hikite-jaya. |
| (c). | Seat of the business. |
| (d). | Drawing (plan?) of the building in which the business is to be carried on. (Arrangement and size of rooms, and the width, number, and position of staircases must be stated). |
Art. 3.—When it is proposed to erect buildings to be used as kashi-zashiki or hikite-jaya, and the height is to exceed three stories, a petition, to which plans and detailed specification of the construction are annexed, shall be submitted to the Metropolitan Police Board through the Police Station having jurisdiction, and permission obtained to carry out the work. In the case of buildings not exceeding two stories, only drawings need be annexed to the information to be given to the Police Board in the manner herein provided. When rebuilding or repairing, the same formalities shall be observed.
Every house (containing room space up to 30 tsubo) used as a kashi-zashiki or hikite-jaya must have at least two staircases of four feet in width, and another staircase shall be added for every additional 30 tsubo.
Art. 4—After the permission mentioned in Art. 3 is obtained, and the buildings have been completed, the Police Station having jurisdiction shall be notified and the premises inspected, and the said buildings shall not be used until the Police authorities have sanctioned same.
Art. 5.—Should the keeper of a kashi-zashiki or hikite-jaya be found infringing these regulations and thereby endangering public safety, committing offences again public morals and good order, or lending his (or her) name to others, the license shall be withdrawn or the business suspended.
Art. 6.—Should the keeper of a kashi-zashiki or hikite-jaya, without reasonable cause, not commence business within three months of the date of receiving a license, or cease to carry on the same for a period of upwards of one year, said license shall become null and void.
Art. 7.—Two or more kashi-zashiki or hikite-jaya are not permitted to carry on their business in partnership.
Art. 8.—When a change occurs in the place of registration, position, rank, residence, or name of the keeper of a kashi-zashiki or hikite-jaya, when the name of an establishment is altered, when a change of guardianship takes place, or when business is relinquished, suspended, or commenced, the Metropolitan Police Board shall be notified through the Police Station having jurisdiction within three days of the date on which such change occurs.
Art. 9.—When a license is applied for through a guardian, or when a change of guardianship takes place, a certificate relative to the guardian’s status must be annexed, such certificate being signed and sealed by the head man of a town, village, or district.
Art. 10—Keepers of kashi-zashiki and hikite-jaya shall display before their establishments a signboard as follows, on which shall be clearly inscribed their names and the names of their houses, and at night they shall exhibit a lantern bearing a distinguishing sign.
3 ft. x 8-1�2� in.
| Name of the house. | |
| Brothel | |
| (or Hikite-jaya) | |
| Keeper’s name. | |
Art. 11.—Keepers of kashi-zashiki and hikite-jaya shall prepare two books marked respectively “A� and “B.� In “A� shall be entered the receipts of the house, and in “B� shall be minutely recorded the name, residence, profession, age, appearance, and style of clothes worn by each guest. Each and every time new books are opened they shall be inspected and sealed by the Police Station having jurisdiction, and after being used up they shall be preserved during a period of five years. Should said books be damaged, destroyed or lost, the Police Station having jurisdiction shall be notified within three days and the cause stated.
Art. 12.—When keepers of kashi-zashiki and hikite-jaya engage or discharge employées, the names of such employées, together with particulars as to residence, registration, and age, shall be minutely written down and notified to the Police Station having jurisdiction within three days.
Art. 13.—When in the course of their business, keepers of kashi-zashiki or hikite-jaya wish to engage assistants, they shall only engage persons who are possessed of “employées pass-book� mentioned in Art. 43.
Art. 14.—When keepers of kashi-zashiki or hikite-jaya afford lodging to females, this fact is to be notified to the Police Station having jurisdiction within twenty-four hours.
Art. 15.—Keepers of kashi-zashiki and hikite-jaya shall observe the following provisions:—
Art. 16.—When special orders are given by Police Stations relative to the control of their business, keepers of kashi-zashiki and hikite-jaya shall observe the same.
Art. 17.—With regard to acts performed in the course of business, even although same be performed by members of their families or employées, the keepers of kashi-zashiki and hikite-jaya cannot plead non-liability.
Art. 18.—When it is proposed to plant flowering trees, to hold exhibitions of dancing or buffoonery, to hang up lanterns (t�r�), or to do anything else in the streets, a petition shall be lodged to that effect with the Police Station having jurisdiction, giving full particulars and permission be obtained. It is however provided that no such displays will be permitted outside the boundaries of yūkwaku.
Art. 19.—Keepers of kashi-zashiki shall not allow bedizened and bedecked courtesans to be seen by passers-by in the streets outside yūkwaku.
Art. 20.—In dealing with courtesans, keepers of kashi-zashiki shall treat the girls fairly, do all in their power to reform them, advise them to return to a virtuous course of life, and shall not cause them to squander money recklessly.
Art. 21.—Keepers of kashi-zashiki shall cause the courtesans in their houses not to infringe the regulations relative to physical examination, and when the women are ill shall at once cause them to receive medical advice and treatment.
Art. 22.—Keepers of kashi-zashiki shall hang up in a place where it can be easily seen by the courtesans a copy of the regulations with hira-gana written against the (Chinese) characters.[60]
Art. 23.—In the event of a courtesan infringing these regulations, information shall be given to the Police Station having jurisdiction, but the keeper of the kashi-zashiki shall not attempt to enforce an observance of the same by private arbitrary measures.
Art. 24.—When courtesans wish to enter another brothel, to give up the life of prostitution, to rest for a time from the exercise of their profession, or to visit some place outside the quarter, the keepers of kashi-zashiki shall not raise objections except on reasonable and valid ground.
Art. 25.—Whenever a courtesan absconds or returns, information is to be immediately given by the kashi-zashiki keeper to the Police Station having jurisdiction.
Art. 26.—Keepers of hikite-jaya are forbidden to allow guests, courtesans, or singing girls to lodge in their establishments.
Art. 27.—Keepers of kashi-zashiki, hikite-jaya, and courtesans shall form guilds within each of their respective districts, shall draw up rules and regulations, and obtain the sanction of the Metropolitan Police Board to the same through the Police Station having jurisdiction. The same formalities shall be observed when it becomes necessary to amend or change these rules.
Art. 28.—Guilds shall elect a Director and Sub-Director and obtain the approval of the Metropolitan Police Board of the persons elected through the Police Station having jurisdiction. Should the parties elected be considered as unsuitable for the position, the authorities may order another election or special election.
Art. 29.—Only males of not less than full twenty-five years of age, and who have been carrying on the business of kashi-zashiki keeping or of keeping hikite-jaya for a period of not less than two years in the district, shall be eligible for election as Director or Sub-Director.
Art. 30.—The term of office of Directors is full two years, but after the expiration of that period they may be re-elected.
Art. 31.—When amendments or alterations of the regulations relative to kashi-zashiki, hikite-jaya, or courtesans are made, or when (Police) instructions are received, the Directors shall duly notify the members of their respective guilds.
Art. 32.—Directors shall affix their seals to petitions and notifications made by kashi-zashiki keepers, keepers of hikite-jaya, and courtesans.
Art. 33.—In addition to those duties determined in these regulations, matters which require the attention of Directors are specially provided for elsewhere.
Chapter II.
Courtesans.
Art. 34.—The profession of a courtesan shall only be permitted in kashi-zashiki.
Art. 35.—A woman who wishes to become a courtesan must send in a written petition for a license to the Police Station having jurisdiction. The petition must give the following particulars, and no woman under 16 years of age will be licensed.
Art. 36.—Courtesans must reside in kashi-zashiki. When a courtesan wishes to change her house she shall petition the Police Station having jurisdiction to the effect and obtain permission. The petition shall be jointly signed by the keepers of both the kashi-zashiki. In this event documents mentioned in paragraphs 4, 6, and 7 of Art. 35 must be annexed, and should the house to which she proposes going be situated within the jurisdiction of another Police Station the petition shall be forwarded through the Police Station of the former jurisdiction.
Art. 37.—Should any change occur in the registration, position, name, professional name, or fees of a courtesan, or should she abandon the life, cease for a time, or commence, practising her profession, the Police Station having jurisdiction shall be notified within three days.
Art. 38.—When courtesans or other employées are engaged or discharged notification shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Art. 12.
Art. 39.—When courtesans received special instructions from a Police Station relative to the control of their profession they shall observe the same.
Art. 40.—Courtesans shall undergo physical examination in accordance with special regulations.
Art. 41.—Courtesans may not leave their kashi-zashiki except for the purpose of visiting the graves of their fathers or mothers, for nursing their grandfathers, fathers, mothers, uncles, aunts, brothers, or except when there is an occasion of rejoicing or mourning in connection with such relatives. They may, however, leave their houses so long as they remain within the boundaries of the yūkwaku.
When they go out of the yūkwaku they must obtain the sanction of the Director through the keeper of their kashi-zashiki, must wear ordinary female clothes, and must be accompanied by a person from their houses.
Art. 42.—When under the circumstances mentioned in Art. 41 it is necessary to lodge in some place outside the yūkwaku, or when it is necessary to receive medical treatment outside the yūkwaku for diseases other than those contemplated in Art. 2 of the regulations relative to the physical examination of prostitutes, the Police Station having jurisdiction shall be duly notified and permission obtained. Such document of notification must be signed by the courtesan and the keeper of her kashi-zashiki, and in case of sickness a doctor’s certificate shall be annexed.
Chapter III.
Employées.
Art. 43.—Persons desirous of becoming employées of kashi-zashiki or hikite-jaya must prepare an “Employées Pass-Book� in the required form, and get the same stamped with the “Inspection stamp� of the Police Station having jurisdiction over such kashi-zashiki or hikite-jaya.
Art. 44.—In this “Employées Pass-Book� shall be entered particulars as to registration, position, rank, residence, name, and any changes relative to the same; the name of the employer, date of engagement and discharge, length of service; whether the owner has ever been punished by the authorities, how often, and for what offences.
Art. 45.—Each and every time changes such as are provided for in Art. 44 occur (with the exception of punishments inflicted by the Police authorities) the owner of the book is to enter particulars of the same and get the Police Station having jurisdiction over the kashi-zashiki or hikite-jaya to stamp the entry with the “Inspection stamp.�
Art. 46.—Should an employées pass-book be damaged or lost the Police Station having jurisdiction over the kashi-zashiki or hikite-jaya shall be notified of the circumstances within three days: another book must be provided by the applicant and stamped by the Police authorities.
Art. 47.—When a person ceases to be an employée of a kashi-zashiki or hikite-jaya he (or she) is to apply to the Police Station which stamped the pass-book and request that the “Inspection stamp� be cancelled.
Art. 48.—When a person infringes the provisions of these regulations, or is considered to have committed improper acts in connection with his duties, the “Inspection stamp� in his pass-book may be cancelled.
Art. 49.—Employées of kashi-zashiki and hikite-jaya shall observe Arts. 15, 20, and 22 of these regulations in the performance of their duties.
Chapter IV.
Penal Provisions.
Art. 50.—Persons who have infringed Arts 2 to 4; 7 and 8; 10 to 16; 18 to 26; 31; 36 to 43; 45 to 47; and 49 shall be punished by detention of not less than one day and not exceeding ten days, or by a fine of not less than five sen and not exceeding one yen ninety five sen.
In addition to the foregoing, there are a great many detailed regulations governing the social evil, among which may be mentioned:—
Police Department Notification No. 22 re the physical examination of prostitutes. (Issued March 1894.)
Police Department Instruction No. 18-a prescribing method of physical examination of prostitutes. This is an instruction to the examining surgeons and to it is annexed specimen forms of reports to be made. (Issued April 1894.)
Police Department Instruction No. 38-a. Instructions for the practical enforcement of the regulations re Introducing tea-houses (hikite-jaya), brothel (kashi-zashiki), and prostitutes (sh�gi). Gives forms of reports, books to be kept, etc. (Issued November 1896).
Police Department Instruction No. 42-a addressed to all Police Stations having jurisdiction over brothel quarters. This Instruction demands:
| 1. | That information re suspicious characters must be given to the police. When visitors resemble the circulated descriptions of persons “wanted� by the police and advertised for with a picture. |
| 2. | Information must be given re persons who possess money or valuables manifestly unsuitable to their station in life, and re persons who are spending money recklessly. |
| 3. | Information must be given re persons possessed of swords, firearms, or other lethal weapons, and whose conduct is suspicious. |
| 4. | Information must be given about persons who remain in brothels for upwards of three days consecutively. |
| 5. | Information must be given when guests entrust or give to courtesans money or effects. (Issued December 1896). |
Police Department Instruction No. 43-a, addressed to all Police Stations having jurisdiction over brothel quarters. Contains seven articles re the position of the Department vis-à -vis the Kashi-zashiki, Hikite-jaya, and Sh�gi Guilds. (Issued December 1896).
There are also a great many detailed provisions intended to protect the women, among which may be mentioned one reading:—
“Should the keeper of a brothel endeavour to cause undue expenditure of money, or without valid reason try to interfere with the women desiring to reform, it is forbidden by law; and he can neither by law or under agreement, ill-treat the women cruelly or unfairly, therefore should anything like this occur, the women shall complain to the policeman on the beat or to the Police Station.�
The laws are fair to a certain extent if carried out in the spirit in which they have been framed, but it is needless to say that the inmates of the Japanese brothels are entirely subjected to the will of their keepers, and although as a rule the girls are not inhumanely treated, they are to all intents slaves, just as much as if they were chained to the galleys. It is not law, but custom which keeps them there, and there is many and many an innocent victim driven to these devilish institutions by customs which exalt profligate fathers and beastly brothers into authoritative beings for whom every sacrifice should be made—even that of chastity. To say a woman has sacrificed herself for the sake of her relations covers everything among the lower and more ignorant masses, and the only thing which would be effectual with these model fathers, mothers, and brothers, would be a thorough horse-whipping each and every time a case crops up; or better still, the cat-o’-nine-tails laid on by an expert until they howl for mercy. The efforts of the Japanese Government to abolish the evil of this servitude have been vigorous, but custom—that law of fools—has been too powerful, and the regulations are infringed indirectly in many ways, chiefly however owing to the frantic opposition to reform raised by those numerous parasitic hangers-on who attach themselves to the prostitute quarters, and, while leading a lazy and mischievous life, manage to suck sustenance from the earnings of defenceless women. The position of the Government is clearly demonstrated by the text of the laws and notifications, but no Government can eradicate an evil if not backed up by the people, and at present the number of persons who have intelligently considered the question is very small indeed.
The Penal Code, promulgated July 1880, Art. 425, provides three to ten days’ imprisonment, or a fine of 1 yen to 1 yen 95 sen, as a punishment for secret prostitution, or lending premises to persons for the purpose of assisting such secret prostitution.
To enable the reader to judge of the severity of the treatment which the Government in olden times meted out by way of punishment, annexed is a proclamation made by Ōoka Echizen-no-Kami, the famous Governor of T�ky�, dated Ky�h�, 7th year, 8th month, 16th day. (26th Sept., 1722).
“Whereas secret prostitution has been prohibited in the Wards of this City, and whereas it appears that the practice has been carried on in an audacious manner, it is hereby ordered that henceforth secret prostitutes shall be treated as follows:—
“1st.—The person harbouring secret prostitutes will be ordered to yield up to the Government his ground lot, furniture, house, and godown, and the woman offending shall herself have her furniture seized, and for the space of 100 days shall be manacled with irons, and committed into the custody of the responsible parties in her Ward, an officer being detailed off to visit the house every other day to inspect the seal on her manacles.
“2nd.—The owner of grounds and houses in which secret prostitution takes place, shall be held in the same penalties even although he is not living on the premises, but only represented by a care-taker. The care-taker shall have all his furniture seized, and shall be manacled for a period of 100 days, during which period he will be committed into the custody of the responsible parties in his Ward, and every other day the bonds shall be examined and the seal inspected.
“Three days after this date the appointed officials and Yoshiwara authorities will proceed to search for persons carrying on illicit prostitution, and if those persons are apprehended they will be dealt with as stated above.
“Persons harbouring offenders may be punished with banishment or death, and moreover the members of the Ward who are responsible for the parties may be likewise punished in accordance with the foregoing. Now therefore take notice, and let this be published throughout the City.�
Again in 1875, the Police Department issued a notification, dated the 27th January, and numbered 23, as follows:—
“Persons practising secret prostitution and the keepers of secret houses used for that purpose, shall be punished as follows:—
| Principal or Accessory | First Offence | Fine not exceeding 10 yen or 2-1�2 months’ imprisonment. |
| Second Offence | Fine not exceeding 20 yen or 5 months’ imprisonment. | |
| Keeper of the House | First Offence | Fine not exceeding 15 yen or 3 months’ imprisonment. |
| Second Offence | Fine not exceeding 50 yen or 6 months’ imprisonment. |