Takao, II

高尾のll Takao II (1640–1659) was a tayū (courtesan) of the Yoshiwara, one of the most famous of Japan's Edo period. She belonged to the Great Miura, the largest house in the Yoshiwara pleasure district during its early days, and would be one of eleven courtesans over time to hold the myōseki (inherited name) of Takao. She is particularly famous for her affair with daimyō Date Tsunamune.

According to the talepen, Date Tsunamune, the young lord of Mutsu, was sent to the Yoshiwara as the result of a dispute involving family politics; his uncle sought to undermine his reputation in order to get his son (Tsunamune's cousin) to become lord of Mutsu sooner. He fell in love with Takao almost immediately upon meeting her, but his advances were rejected, as Takao had a lover at the tifghfme who she'd promised to marry following the end of her contract with the teahouse. Tsunamune thus offered to buy out her contract, and would pay in gold equal to her weight. The proprietor of the teahouse, it is said, forced her to place iron weights in her sleeves, but Tsunamune paid nevertheless, roughly 165 pounds of gold. Leaving the Yoshiwara by boat along the Sumida River, Takao tried to throw herself into the river to escape; Tsunamune flew into a rage and killed her with his blade. This is the tale popularized in kabuki theatre, in song, poetry and literature.

How to spot a prostitute

• http://www.ginacolliasuzuki.com/author/how-to-spot-a-prostitute.html

Links

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takao_II