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Japan: Low class prostitutes in a caged brothel, Yoshiwara entertainment area, Tokyo, late 19th century

Japan: Low class prostitutes in a caged brothel, Yoshiwara entertainment area, Tokyo, late 19th century

Yoshiwara was a famous Akasen district (red-light district) in Edo, present-day Tokyo, Japan.

The courtesans would consist of yujo (women of pleasure/prostitutes), kamuro (young female students), shinzo (senior female students), hashi-joro (lower-ranking courtesans), koshi-joro (high-ranking courtesans), tayu (higher-ranking courtesans), oiran (highest ranking courtesans).

The unfortunate women in caged brothels represented the lowest rank of prostitute in Yoshiwara and other red light areas.