Establishment of the comfort women system[ edit ] Japanese military prostitution[ edit ] Military correspondence of the Imperial Japanese Army shows that the aim of facilitating comfort stations was the prevention of rape crimes committed by Japanese army personnel and thus preventing the rise of hostility among people in occupied areas. According to Japanese historian Yoshiaki Yoshimi , however, the comfort stations did not solve, but aggravated the first two problems. Yoshimi has asserted, "The Japanese Imperial Army feared most that the simmering discontentment of the soldiers could explode into a riot and revolt. That is why it provided women". Earlier comfort women were Japanese prostitutes who volunteered for such service. However, as Japan continued military expansion, the military found itself short of Japanese volunteers, and turned to the local population to coerce women into serving in these stations, or abducted them.

Comfort women



Tokyo's Red Light District
In , due to the need for space as the city grew, the government decided to relocate Yoshiwara and plans were made to move the district to its present location north of Asakusa on the outskirts of the city. The old Yoshiwara district burned down along with much of the city in the Great fire of Meireki of ; it was rebuilt in the new location, when it was renamed Shin Yoshiwara New Yoshiwara , the old location being called Moto Yoshiwara Original Yoshiwara ; eventually the "Shin" was dropped, and the new district became known simply as Yoshiwara. The area had over 9, women in , many of whom suffered from syphilis. If she was lucky, she would become an apprentice to a high-ranking courtesan. When the girl was old enough and had completed her training, she would become a courtesan herself and work her way up the ranks.


Don’t Buy a Prostitute in Tokyo’s Red Light District With Your Girlfriend
Original antique Japanese color woodblock by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi Musha-e Prints depicting warriors. Fine first edition early impression with strongly visible woodgrain in the sky, color and near fine condition. A little nick, minor marks and flaws otherwise in a very nice state.



If you'd like to obtain permission to use a picture from a post, please contact the author of the post. When someone thinks of a Geisha, they think of a glorified prostitute or call girl. This is far from the truth.