In 1939 the total population of Japan was about 71 1/2 million people. Around 4% of the population was killed in World War II (about 80% of the deaths were military, and the rest civilian). Although the military was abolished, many of the social structures would remain. One custom needed to be explained to the incoming soldiers: the geisha system. The article that follows is what the Japanese authorities submitted to the U.S. army, and the army submitted to the men of the 92nd Evacuation Hospital.
REPORT OF PREFECTURE (Gene added "Nagoya" ) TO THE U.S. ARMY:
THE ORIGIN OF "GEISHA"
In olden times there were some women who served as dancers or musicians in the grounds of Shinto Shrines. In the course of time some of these women became dancers or singers in hotels and restaurants. They entertained the men who came to enjoy their time. Then some of them became "Geisha" and some unlicensed prostitutes.
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| Gene's photo of a Japanese entertainer playing the shamisen |
"Geisha" were invited by hotels and higher-class restaurants and they entertained men as singers and dancers with the accompaniment of "Shamisen" (a kind of musical instrument). Before the China Incident [Japan claimed it was involving (conquering) other Asian countries for their own good to get rid of Western influence, and the objection of the Chinese was an "incident"] there were many "Geisha" but since the outbreak of the Great East Asia War the number has been decreasing [they were needed in the factories] and in March 1944 they were forbidden to do their business by orders of the Government. Then some turned to be unlicensed prostitutes.
In this prefecture the measures of licensed prostitutes were taken away and all the women who serve in hotels and restaurants have been treated as "Geisha". The authorities are now preparing to give license to 3,000 as "Geisha" to entertain visitors to the city.
The outline of the regulation on "Geisha" as we said they served as singers of dancers in hotels and "Ryoriya" (restaurants) but some became prostitutes so generally now "Geisha" girls are thought of as street girls.
1) 1. They must have a license from the police station, and live in a certain limited places.
2) 2. Those who come to one of the following items can not become "Geisha"
a) Under fourteen years old.
b) Those who are suffering such diseases as leprosy, lung disease, veneral [sic] or other infections diseases.
c) Those who are regarded as bad for Society.
d) Those who are regarded as unfit from the authorities.
3) They must obey the orders of the head of the police-station.
4) They must take physical examination at on appointed time.
5) They must keep the rules of the authorities on preventing the social evil disease.
6) The customers of "Geisha".
They are not called their own names they have special names and those names are used. The masters of hotels or Ryoriya (restaurants) called "Geisha" their daughters and they ("Geisha") - call the masters as "Father Ottssan" or Nissan (brother). This shows their relation is intimate, for the masters have all responsibility about "Geisha".
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| Gene's photo of a young Japanese woman, possibly a geisha |
The visitors call when they come the second time, the "Geisha" that he called first. They often hear the lectures on social evil diseases and know how to prevent the diseases. They are afraid to be stopped their business by orders of the authorities, so they keep the rules made by the local governments.
Rules made by the Prefecture to prevent social evil diseases.
1. She must not use the same cup of the visitor, don't kiss the man.
2. She must us sack. [condom?]
3. She must use preventative medicine.
4. She must wash her vessel after she used it.
5. If the visitor has some disease she may refuse.
Meirakuen (Formerly licensed quarter) about three years ago in the center of Nagoya that is on the grounds of Osu temple the lord at that time allowed to have a licensed quarter that was the origin of the licensed quarter. But in 1921 the quarter moved to Nakamura. There were about 138 houses, number of the licensed women were many, men went to enjoy their lives. Since the China Incident the number has become less and less. When the war began there were about two hundred licensed.
In September this year all licensed women were set free, so most of those women became "Geisha" so some of the "Geisha" in the Meirakuen can play and dance well, but some are not so well.
To entertain the Allied Occupation forces or citizens they are preparing to have 2,000 Geisha and about 100 restaurants in that quarter.
Statistic:
Age Number Age Number Age Number
17 3 24 30 31 0
18 4 25 16 32 4
19 1 26 17 33 1
20 16 27 8 34 0
21 11 28 13 35 1
22 38 29 7 36 0
23 45 30 6 37 0
38 0
39 1
Total: 223 [I count only 222]
Education:
No schooling: 6
1st year 0
2nd year 6
3rd year 8
4th year 4
Finished primary school 17
Kotoka [?]- 1st year 3
Kotoka finished 12
Finished higher girls
School 5
Total 223 [I counted only 61!]
41 Geisha cannot dance well
50 " cannot play or sing well
What followed was a long list of co-partnership descriptive. I have copied only a few. All peculiarities of English and lack of punctuation are theirs!
1. Position Yakkodori, Toyohawa, Toyokawa City.
2. Name of co-partnership: "Enpukuso"
3. Name of it's representative: Kiichi Nomura
4. Number of shops: 20 shops
5. Number of girls: 65 girls
6. the fee of girl: Short time (half an hour) Y30.00 [about $2.00]
One time (one hour) Y40.00
All night (11 p.m.-8a.m. next morning
Y150
Remarks:
6 shops are in good condition, but 42 shops burnt down by
Air raid on the 20th June, 1945, and now building up
Those new houses in the same ground.
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| "Meirakuen" or "house of licensed prostitution" in Nagoya |
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