It affords me much pleasure to know that my patrons are all doing well. By reason of your kind patronage and favour, for which I am extremely grateful, I have been enabled to continue the business of brothel-keeping for many years, but regret to observe that there are signs that the prosperity of the Yoshiwara is on the wane. The cause of this state of affairs may be attributed to the fact that evil practices have arisen in the houses of some of my confrères, who are carrying on their profession according to the dictates of their own fancies and entirely disregarding the regulations promulgated in the era of Kwansei (1789–1800). For instance, a custom has arisen of paying to hikite-jaya as much as 300 to 350 mon (about 30 to 35 sen) commission for each 2 shu (yen 1.25) spent by a guest, or even of equally dividing between tea-house and brothel the amount of money spent by him, the consequence being that more than three hundred hikite-jaya have sprung into existence within the past few years. Under these circumstances, it follows as an inevitable consequence that the food and drink served to guests is allowed to deteriorate in quality, thus causing a general depression in our “trade.� I have therefore hit upon a different plan of carrying on the profession, and decided not to receive any guests sent from tea-houses in future, but to conduct my business on cheap and expeditious lines at the “spot cash� prices mentioned below. Moreover I have engaged a large number of “filles de joie� who are guaranteed to afford satisfaction to guests in every respect, and I propose to pay scrupulous attention to the quality of saké, food, and bedding. I shall be greatly obliged if you will kindly inform your friends of these improvements introduced by me, and earnestly beg that you will favour me with a visit, either in the daytime or night-time, coming direct to my establishment without making your arrangement through a tea-house.

(Hitherto.)(Reduced price.)
1.Women possessing zashiki1 Bu
(Yen 2.50)		12 Momme (silver)
 (Yen 2.00)
2.Women possessing heya2 Shu
(Yen 1.25)		 6 Momme ( “ )
 (Yen 1.00)
3.Private geisha2 Shu
(Yen 1.25)		 6 Momme ( “ )
 (Yen 1.00)

N.B.—We supply the “Masamuné� brand of saké, and our cuisine is fully equal to that of the leading restaurants.

Tips and gratuities to “lady friends� and geisha may be given according to the discretion of guests.

Positively no guest sent through a tea-house will be received or entertained.

(Date)

(Signed) MANJI-YA MOKICHI,

Sumi-ch�,

Shin Yoshiwara.