It must be understood that many of these documents were “fakes� as regards the signatures of the parent and of the landlord of the parents’ house. So long as some persons were found to act as the necessary parties, the papers were signed and stamped, and in exchange for such an instrument the mi-no-shiro-kin (price of the body) was paid over in hard cash on strictly business principles. The “parcel of goods� having been taken delivery of by the brothel keeper, the zegen appropriated 10 per cent as his commission, but besides that they generally managed to obtain further sums of money on various pretexts, including hone-ori-kin (money for labour performed) ifuku no son-ry� (hire of clothes), makanai-ry� (expenses for food and lodging), etc., etc. [In passing, it may be noted that in zegen circles a girl who had been kidnapped was known by the name of “Inari� (really the Goddess of Rice, but in popular superstition the fox-deity) which is perhaps the reason why people often call courtesans “kitsune� (foxes)].
As already mentioned, the Kwansei (1789–1800) notification prohibiting the improper selling of women by zegen had very little practical effect, but on the 2nd October, 1872 (2nd day of the 10th month of the 5th year of Meiji) the Japanese Government earned the everlasting gratitude of right-thinking persons by issuing Decree No. 295 which ordered the unconditional liberation of all prostitutes throughout the length and breadth of the Empire. This Decree reads, according to the official translation, as follows:—
“Whereas transactions involving the sale of persons and their entire subjection to the will of their masters for life or for a period are contrary to the principles of humanity, and in consequence have been prohibited from olden times; and whereas the actual condition of persons heretofore hired for a term of years as servants, or in any other capacity, virtually amounts to servitude, therefore all such transactions are henceforth strictly prohibited.
“It shall be admissible for any persons to bind themselves as apprentices for the purpose of acquiring practical training in agriculture, trade, or art. Nevertheless the term of such apprenticeship shall in no case exceed seven years, after the expiration of which, such term may be prolonged with the consent of both parties.
“In the case of ordinary servants or employés the terms of service shall be limited to one year; and if the service be continued after the expiration of that period the agreements shall be renewed.
“The release of all prostitutes, singing girls, and other persons bound to serve for any term of years, is hereby ordered, and it is further directed that no suits relating to debts incurred by, or on account of such persons, shall be entertained.�
NOTIFICATION ISSUED IN OCT., 1872, (5th YEAR OF MEIJI) BY THE JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT.
No. 22.
(PUBLISHED BROADCAST.)
“Whereas on the second day of this month the Council of State issued a decree No. 295, persons are hereby notified relative to the same and are to bear in mind the following articles:—