Sumi-ch�: The brothels at Sumi-ch�, Ky�bashi, having been removed to this ward, the name of the original place was copied when “christening� the new street.
After many vicissitudes, the brothel-keepers believed that they had now found an abiding place, and that no further changes would be made, but they were doomed to disappointment. On the 19th day of the 10th month of the 2nd year of Meireki (4th December 1656) Ishigaya Sh�gen, the Bugy�, summoned the elders (toshi-yoridomo) of the Yoshiwara and informed them that the existing site of the prostitute quarter being required by the authorities for building purposes, the houses must be removed elsewhere. Ishigaya added that, in lieu of the Yoshiwara, the authorities were prepared to grant either a plot of land in the vicinity of the Nihon-dsutsumi (Dike of Japan) behind the Asakusa temple, or one in the neighbourhood of Honj�.
The representatives of the Yoshiwara people were filled with consternation at the action of the government, and they submitted a petition of grievances to the effect that the brothels had been in existence for 44 years and that the keepers would be put to great inconvenience and caused serious loss if they were suddenly forced to remove to a remote district. After reciting the above facts, and pointing out the injury which would be done to “vested interests,� the petition wound up with a prayer that the authorities would be pleased to permit the brothels to continue to ply their profession in the same place as hitherto. This petition, however, was rejected, and after mature deliberation the elders now applied for a grant of land at the Nihon-dsutsumi: they also petitioned that a sum of money might be given them from the public funds to assist their removal.
In response to the last petition, the authorities provided a suitable site near Nilion-dsutsumi, and in consideration of the removal of the houses to such a distant and out-of-the-way locality, Ishigaya Sh�gen, and Kamio, Lord of Bizen, agreed to the following conditions in connection with the new Yoshiwara:—
“(1.) Hitherto the ground to be occupied has been limited to 2 square ch�: in the new place these limits will be increased by 50 per cent., and extended to 3 ch� by 2 ch� (3x2).
“(2.) Whereas hitherto the profession has been allowed to be carried on in the day-time only, in consideration of the quarter being moved to such a distant place, it is in future permitted both day and night alike.
“(3.) More than 200 Furo-ya (風呂屋 = Bath-houses)[6] now existing in the city shall be abolished.
“(4.) In consideration of the Yoshiwara being removed to a distant place, its people shall hereafter be exempted from the duties of acting as guards against fire on the occasion of the festivals at Sann� and at Kanda, or as firemen in time of conflagrations, etc.
“(5.) The sum of 10,500 ry� will be granted to assist the expenses of removal, at the rate of 14 ry� per small room.�[7]