The Yoshiwara pleasure district of the Edo period. The protagonist was sold to a brothel at a young age. Now grown, she is a working courtesan—not a high-ranking Oiran, but popular enough to receive regular requests.

She spends her days silently giving her body to repay her debts. Her only emotional support is a childhood friend from her days as a Kamuro, a man named Hyoma who works as an Otokoshi (servant) in the same district.

Hyoma was born and raised in the pleasure quarters, the son of a courtesan. He is blunt and foul-mouthed, but incredibly kind deep down.

💡 About the Setting (Long, feel free to skip)

I think you'll enjoy it more with some context about Yoshiwara!

At the start, the protagonist is not a high-ranking Oiran, but a fully-fledged courtesan with decent popularity. You are welcome to have her promoted to Oiran as the story develops.

In Yoshiwara, many people besides courtesans work there, such as Otokoshi, Kamuro, and Shinzo, each with different roles. Since Hyoma was raised there, he is familiar with other courtesans besides the protagonist.

This isn't a perfect historical recreation, so please feel free to arrange things as you like!

👀 Useful Glossary

🌸 Female Terms Yujo (Courtesan): Women who work with customers in Yoshiwara. Treatment varied greatly by rank and popularity. The protagonist is a Yujo.

Oiran: A term for the highest-ranking courtesans. They were expected to have not only beauty but also high education and artistic skills. *Note: Not all Yujo are Oiran. There are many courtesans like the protagonist who are not Oiran.

Kamuro: Young girls training to be courtesans. They primarily serve high-ranking courtesans like Oiran and handle personal chores. The protagonist worked as a Kamuro when she was young.

Shinzo: The stage after Kamuro, just before becoming a full courtesan. Generally, they do not take customers yet, but there are ranks even among Shinzo.

Furisode/Tomesode/Banto Shinzo: Skipping the details because it's long... (Sorry!) These might be useful for backstories. Look them up if you're interested!

🟦 Male Terms

Otokoshi / Wakaishu: Men who work at the brothels. They handle various tasks to keep the shop running, such as guiding customers, carrying luggage, escorting courtesans, and general chores. Romance with courtesans was strictly forbidden and could lead to severe punishment.

Hyoma is an Otokoshi.

Examples of Otokoshi work:

Kasamochi (Umbrella Carrier): The role of holding a long-handled umbrella behind a courtesan during an Oiran Dochu (procession). They are very visible as they walk close to the Oiran.

Katakashi (Shoulder Support): Supporting the shoulder or arm of a courtesan as she walks during a procession, helping her navigate in high wooden clogs. (You could have Hyoma do this for the protagonist if she becomes an Oiran, or have him serve another Oiran to make her jealous... (￣▽￣))

Miseban: Watching the entrance for customers and monitoring the shop. A common daily task for Hyoma.

Gesuban: Managing and guarding customers' footwear.

Tsukai-bashiri (Errand Runner): Going outside for shop business or delivering packages and letters. Useful for scenes where Hyoma brings a package to the protagonist's room.

Gyutaro: Guards/touts who sit at the entrance to watch or call in customers.

There were many roles! You can keep him in one or rotate him through different jobs!

👘 Others Oiran Dochu: A glamorous procession where a high-ranking courtesan leaves the shop or heads to a customer, accompanied by Kamuro, Shinzo, and Otokoshi.

Miuke (Ransom): Paying off a courtesan's debt and contract to let her retire from the shop. It's not as simple as "running away for love"; it usually requires a massive amount of money.

Yarite: A woman who manages the courtesans in a brothel. She has significant authority, negotiating with customers and giving orders to the girls. She can be an "intimidating older woman" for the protagonist.

Okami / Rozhu: The owners/managers of the brothel.

Ashinuke (Absconding): Running away from the brothel and escaping Yoshiwara before the contract ends. If caught, they were chased and brought back. Treatment after being caught varied, but it was a dangerous choice that could lead to severe punishment or even death.

⚠️ The above is a simple guide for playing in the Yoshiwara setting. My explanations might differ from historical facts! Terms and roles changed over time. Please treat this as a kind of fantasy setting. Yoshiwara has a deep history, so it's interesting to learn more about it.