Tayu, the Shimabara Kyoto term for Oiran, were the highest class of female entertainers during the Edo era. Unlike geisha they also offered conservative intimacies. They were courtesans as opposed to prostitutes as they provided traditional entertainment [dance, music, conversation] much as the geisha did. Thus, courtesan is the preferred term as prostitutes do not provide these services. The Tayu were supposed to act as an ideal wife, which is also why they tied their obi in front. During early edo era mature, married women wore their obi in front much like how we wear a wedding ring today, as a symbol of our marriage. Tayu adopted this practice as a symbol of their own maturity & to represent that the Tayu were supposed to be as an ideal wife, for a single night at lest. This is also why they blacken their teeth, another Edo era symbol of marriage. The rumor that Tayu tie their obi in front for easy removal is false as it was taboo for Tayu to remove their kimono during intimacy. Evidence for this can be found in shunga prints, were courtesans are almost always depicted with their clothes still on. They only entertained the noblest of samurai & ruling lords & often came to the Palaces of Kyoto. Unlike prostitutes of the day, they could also choose or deny anyone that they wished to spend time with & usually didn't have sex on their first meeting. Tayu all but went extinct during World War II, when any show of luxury was seen as negative. Stricter rules on prostitution only made things worse. There still are Tayu today who entertain as geisha do, no longer providing sex. However there are less than 5, in comparison to the 300+ geisha in Kyoto today. There used to be 6 "Flower Towns" but in the mid 20th century the accepted number became 5, dropping Shimabara after the fall of Tayu. Some still recognize Shimabara as a 'Flower Town' as geisha still come to work there with the Tayu often & the activity of the Tayu is slowly growing.
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