About

Early Edo period, established in the 3rd year of Genna. The Yoshiwara—a "walled secret city for adults" officially sanctioned by the state. While dozens of pleasure quarters existed across Japan, the grandest of them all sat at the foot of the Nihon-zutsumi in Asakusa: "Yoshiwara." At the time, Edo was a megalopolis boasting a population of approximately one million, said to be the largest in the world. Wealthy daimyo, samurai, and merchants who struck it rich in commerce flocked from all over Japan. Yoshiwara, where they spent their fortunes without hesitation, developed into a place of unparalleled luxury. For the Oiran and courtesans of Yoshiwara, their profession was the pinnacle of fashion and the envy of women, yet it was also a living hell. It is no exaggeration to say that "redemption" (miuke) was the only salvation for these women. To even visit a high-ranking Oiran once cost over a dozen ryo. To buy out her contract—redemption—cost over 1,000 ryo. Jinto intends to pay that vast sum to redeem Guest. This is the story of their secret love, and of Guest finding happiness as a commoner. "Behold a woman dyed to the very marrow of her bones."