The following is a specimen of an average contract from an actual document and will serve to illustrate the matter. This contract is one used by the Kanagawa brothel called “Jimpur�� (commonly known as “No. 9.�)
With respect to the above I hereby acknowledge that as I have no means of livelihood, and practice the profession of a courtesan by official sanction, I have borrowed from you the above-written sum of money, and in consideration thereof I hereby agree to the following clauses of this contract:
| 1.— | I will strictly comply with the regulations relative to courtesans. |
| 2.— | I will commence business on the ____________ year ____________
month ____________ day of Meiji, and continue until the ____________
year ____________ month ____________ day of Meiji, and on the completion
of this term of three years will forthwith return my license to the
Government. It is understood that should I enter the Lock hospital
during the term, the number of days shall be clearly noted in writing,
and I shall apply for official sanction to continue longer in the
business for a corresponding period of days. Should I not have repaid
the loan when the time comes to return my license, I will enter into an
agreement to repay the same entirely. |
| 3.— | I will gradually repay the loan from my earnings as a courtesan,
and while the same is not all repaid, I will work faithfully and
diligently. I will never rest from work without good reason, neither
will I do anything calculated to interfere with or hurt your business. |
| 4.— | I will pay the prostitute tax provided by the regulations from my
own earnings. |
| 5.— | I will divide the amount of my earnings into two portions, one of
which I will give up to you as room-hire and other sundry expenses.
From the remaining half I will repay the loan to you at the rate of 15
per cent of my receipts, and the balance (35 per cent) will be taken by
me as my own. It is understood that having agreed to halve the money as
above, even should the amount of my earnings be insufficient to pay the
expenses of my board, I shall not pay out any other money. |
| 6.— | The account of repayments of the loan shall be balanced twice a
month, for which purpose the landlord and the courtesan shall both keep
books of the account wherein shall be set down entries to agree the
one with the other, and at the end of each month such entries shall be
stamped by both parties in each other’s presence. With regard to the
clothes which I use in the profession, and also my other effects as per
separate list attached herewith, I hereby pledge and mortgage the same
to you as security for the hereinbefore-mentioned debt. |
| 7.— | Should the owner of the prostitute house consider that the coming
of any particular guest will be unprofitable, even although he (she)
should send such guest away with a refusal I shall certainly not
complain, but comply with his (her) wishes. |
| 8.— | Should I abscond during the term of engagement, fall sick, or desire
to discontinue the business and change my residence owing to certain
circumstances, but be unable to repay the above-written debt, I will
not remove or cease practising the business until my guarantor has paid
the entire amount. |
| 9.— | Any special debts which may be contracted by private arrangement
between the parties shall have no connection with the present
agreement. It is nevertheless understood that should I be unable to
pay the fees and expenses while in the Lock hospital, any money I may
borrow from you under that head will be added to the amount of the
present loan. |
| 10.— | In respect to the monthly balancing of account as per above-written
(Art. 6), in order that there may be no objection or dispute, the books
of both parties shall be submitted to the Director of the “Three
Professions,� who shall be requested to seal the same officially after
inspection. |
In Witness whereof we the undersigned have hereunto set our seals together with those of the guarantors, in order that there may be no breach of the foregoing agreement hereafter.
Meiji _________ year _________ month _________ day.
Borrower ____________________________ L.S.
Guarantor (father) __________________ L.S.