I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

……

……

Kyoto's natural scenery is also exceptional.

Arashiyama is a place where cherry blossoms flutter in the spring and red maple leaves paint the mountains and fields in autumn.

Sagano is dotted with temples and shrines such as Jojakko-ji, Nonomiya Shrine, and Tenryu-ji.

While strolling halfway up Arashiyama, Qing Deng overheard the following conversation behind him:

"Ayu, here you go! This is a gift for you!"

"A sachet from the Minister of War? My lord, I cannot accept such a valuable gift!"

[Note: The "Minister of War Sachet" is a type of incense made from various spices; "Minister of War" is the brand name of this incense.]

"Hahaha! Take it without worry! My business has been booming lately! I'm always borrowing money to make ends meet! My pawnshop is overflowing with swords and knives!"

A man in his fifties with a large belly was affectionately embracing a beautiful young woman who was at least 20 years younger than him.

[Note: Tofu in the Edo period was very firm; it wouldn't crumble even when skewered with bamboo sticks. Because two bamboo sticks were often used to skewer the tofu, some people used this to mock samurai, calling them "grilled tofu."]

The girl covered her mouth and giggled:

“Lately, I’ve been using the best knife to cut radishes.”

"Hmph, those tofu vendors who sell the knife strips, to make it look more impressive, put bamboo strips inside the handles. As long as the blade is properly sheathed, it's hard to tell from the outside that they've sold the knife strips. These tofu vendors may not know much else, but they're all experts at how to pack up something substantial! Even if they haven't eaten, they still insist on having a toothpick in their mouths, how shameless!"

……

……

time flies.

Before we knew it, the sun had set.

"Hmm~~ It's been a long time since I've wandered around Kyoto like this."

Atachi raised her arms and stretched like a cat.

"Mr. Komaki, Ms. Atachi, thank you so much for today."

With that, Sanako clasped her hands together in front of her and bowed respectfully to the Komaki couple.

Seeing this, Atachi waved her hand and said sincerely:

"Ah, no need for formalities. My husband and I are very happy to be able to go out and have fun after so long."

Qingdeng glanced at the sky and then asked:

"Miss Atachi, where are we going next?"

"Hmm... let me think... we seem to have already visited all the noteworthy places in Kyoto..."

As soon as Atachi finished speaking, Komaki Goro interrupted, saying:

"Not yet. There's still one crucial place we haven't visited."

Goro Komaki paused deliberately, keeping everyone in suspense.

After a moment, he looked directly at Qingdeng and continued speaking quietly:

"Gion, the largest geisha district in Kyoto, a den of lust deeply imbued with beauty!"

At that moment, Sanako turned her head and reflexively cast a sharp, knife-like gaze at Aoto.

"..."

Qingdeng pursed his lips, not daring to speak.

*******

*******

I'm so sorry! I've kept you all waiting! (crying leopard head.jpg)

There were just too many unexpected things today! It was completely out of Leopard's control!

Because of home renovations, Leopard has been busy all day. He thought he'd have some free time around noon, but he was so busy until 4 pm before he finally had time to write… (Leopard crying.jpg)

Chapter 567 Qingdeng: So soon I have a chance to show off! [5400]

Kyoto, Gion, on the east bank of the Kamo River—

Although the veil of night had not yet been lowered, the view was already a scene of dazzling lights and revelry.

"Eeya~~Heyya~~"

The light and melodious "Gion no Sou" floats gently in my ears.

Loud noises and continuous laughter emanated from the teahouse.

The house was filled with the enticing aroma of food and the refreshing scent of wine.

Countless geisha emerged from the kimono, their tiny steps and swaying movements, accentuated by their plump, rounded figures, creating a beautiful scene on the street.

The men, young and old, stood like statues by the roadside, staring blankly at these beautiful, charming women, adorned with flowers and exuding allure.

Both Aoto and Sanako were deeply attracted by this rare sight, unlike anything ever seen in Edo.

Their gazes swept around constantly, curiously observing and scrutinizing everything and everyone within their field of vision.

Goro Komaki turned to the side, stretched out his arms, and gestured "please".

Welcome to Gion, Kyoto's largest geisha district!

As Qingdeng slowly came to his senses, he secretly clicked his tongue in amazement:

"So this is the famous Gion... It's truly amazing to see it for yourself."

Strictly speaking, the geisha districts in China and Japan are not the same thing.

In China, "flower street" specifically refers to a red-light district where people seek pleasure.

In Japan, "geisha district" specifically refers to the geisha district.

Japanese pleasure quarters are the kind of venues that fit the Chinese definition of a geisha district.

According to traditional Japanese beliefs, a pleasure quarter is a pleasure quarter, and a geisha district is a geisha district; the two are not the same.

"Yuko" refers to brothels, with typical examples being Yoshiwara in Edo, Shimabara in Kyoto, and Shinmachi in Osaka. The female staff who provided special services there were collectively called "yujo" (游女).

The geisha district was a respectable social area, comprised of three main businesses: tea houses, shudai (official residences), and okiya (shops).

Tea houses provide a venue.

Shichu-ya is a restaurant that delivers food and prepares drinks.

Okiya, acting as a geisha agency, dispatches geisha.

The three industries have a clear division of labor and close ties.

Geisha are female performers who primarily engage in the performing arts. Their main job is to entertain guests by playing musical instruments, singing songs, and performing dances at banquets, and to serve drinks to the guests.

Geisha in their apprenticeship stage are called "maiko" (or "maiko"). Geisha and maiko are collectively referred to as "gei-maiko" (or "gei-maiko").

The female owners of teahouses and okiya (traditional Japanese shops) are both called "mama-san".

Geisha learn their skills under the tutelage of the madam of the okiya (traditional Japanese house), and perform songs and dances under the arrangement of the madam of the tea house.

The courtesans in the pleasure quarters and the geisha in the red-light districts are two completely different professions.

The difference between the two... In short, the former sells one's body, while the latter sells one's art.

Geisha originated from Kabuki.

In the early Edo period, Kabuki actors not only performed on stage, but also engaged in prostitution.

It wasn't until later, with continuous development, that the "erotic" attributes of Kabuki were gradually separated, and Geisha became a new profession that emerged independently during this process.

In the beginning, Kabuki actors included both men and women. In addition to courtesans providing entertainment for Kabuki, there were also young and beautiful male actors who performed as part of the Wakashu Kabuki troupe. These actors not only performed but also provided male sexual services.

These prostitutes and young boys often became the trigger for rivalries and jealousies among samurai, sometimes even leading to fights.

Therefore, in 1629, the Edo Shogunate banned female kabuki troupes on the grounds of corrupting public morals, and then in 1648, it banned all kabuki troupes.

From then on, in order to circumvent the regulations, Kabuki performances were changed to be performed by adult men.

Thus, the rule that "Kabuki actors can only be adult men" has continued to this day.

After female kabuki actors were banned, the female entertainers who originally made a living from this profession had to find other ways to make a living and became wandering entertainers.

Those who sold their art but not their bodies, and only provided song and dance performances, eventually became the pioneers of Geisha.

Before the Edo period, many courtesans and geishas operated illegally and therefore did not have to pay taxes.

After the Tokugawa government opened its doors and brought peace to the country, in order to increase its revenue, the shogunate began to register and manage geisha and courtesans, and levied taxes on them.

By the mid-18th century, geisha had officially become a legal profession and could be practiced openly. When paying taxes, one had to write "geisha" in the occupation column and pay taxes according to the amount stipulated by law.

It was from this time that courtesans and geisha were formally distinguished, and the unwritten rule of geisha that they only sold their art and not their bodies was widely accepted.

Initially, geisha were classified as lower-class entertainers, with a status even lower than that of courtesans.

In theory, geisha cannot sell their bodies—of course, this is only in theory.

If a geisha develops feelings for a customer and they accidentally engage in some intimate interactions outside of work, it's none of your business, right?

Although geisha are prohibited from prostitution, many of them secretly take on jobs to earn extra money.

Therefore, Geisha generally exhibits a "divine-dog duality".

When you are ugly or poor, the geisha sitting in front of you is a goddess who can only be admired from afar and will never be touched or treated lightly.

When you are a handsome man or a wealthy man, the geisha sitting in front of you will transform into a fiercely independent female dog who is willing to do anything for love, and you can ride her as you please.

Of course, geisha selling themselves is ultimately not allowed.

If the authorities receive a report, they will take over the investigation, and if the situation is serious, the geisha's business license will be revoked.

Early geisha were forbidden from wearing elaborate hairstyles or gorgeous kimonos due to their low social status.

However, as time passed, the economy developed, and the urban class, represented by merchants, rose to prominence, the status comparison between geisha and courtesans began to change.

Although the middle class had spare money, their low social status prevented them from interacting with high-class courtesans such as courtesans.