Untitled advertisement for a machiai-jaya

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[Untitled advertisement for a machiai-jaya]

[Creator unidentified].

Tōkyō: Nakamanjiya [et al.], [ca. 1868].

An advertisement announcing the joint opening of a machiai-jaya by three pleasure houses—Nakamanjiya, Shinagawaya, and Mikawaya—in Tōkyō Shin-Shimabara, a pleasure quarter established in 1868 and modeled on Kyōto’s Shimabara district. Situated near Tsukiji and conceived in part to attract foreign clientele, the district proved commercially unsuccessful; within a few years, the houses withdrew and relocated to Yoshiwara. This vividly coloured advertisement lists the fees for daytime and evening entertainments by tayū and oiran at the machiai-jaya, an establishment where guests gathered to drink and be entertained by geisha. A revealing document of early Meiji pleasure-quarter enterprise.

One ōban leaf, colour woodblock-printed on one side, complete. Minor marks, wear, and a few small wormholes. Several creases and folds. Washi paper repairs to verso. 37.4 x 25.6 cm.

Untitled advertisement for a machiai-jaya
Price: $680.00 (USD)