Historically, licensed prostitution districts in Kyoto were referred to as ykaku. These areas were officially sanctioned zones where brothels operated under government regulation. The most prominent example of these legal pleasure quarters within the city was known as Shimabara.
The establishment of these designated zones served multiple purposes, including managing and controlling the sex industry, levying taxes, and maintaining a degree of social order. Shimabara, in particular, became a center of refined entertainment, where courtesans cultivated skills in the arts, music, and conversation, attracting patrons from the samurai class and wealthy merchants. The existence of such a structured environment influenced the city’s social fabric and artistic landscape.
