Etched Sorrow·Rakuchū / Shimabara

Shimabara Omon (Great Gate)

The main gate of Shimabara, the shogunate-licensed pleasure quarter opened in 1641 (the present Korai-style gate dates to an 1867 rebuilding). Behind the splendor of the tayu processions and banquets lay the quarter of women sold into indenture, who lived out their lives inside this gate.

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These notes come from desk research. Local traditions vary.