, also known as Sendai Takao or Manji Takao, was a (highest-ranking

courtesan Courtesan, in modern usage, is a euphemism for a "kept" mistress or prostitute, particularly one with wealthy, powerful, or influential clients. The term historically referred to a courtier, a person who attended the court of a monarch or other ...

) of the

Yoshiwara was a famous (red-light district) in Edo, present-day Tokyo, Japan. Established in 1617, Yoshiwara was one of three licensed and well-known red-light districts created during the early 17th century by the Tokugawa shogunate, alongside Shimab ...

red light district A red-light district or pleasure district is a part of an urban area where a concentration of prostitution and sex-oriented businesses, such as sex shops, strip clubs, and adult theaters, are found. In most cases, red-light districts are partic ...

of Edo, and one of the most famous courtesans of Japan's

Edo period The or is the period between 1603 and 1867 in the history of Japan, when Japan was under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate and the country's 300 regional '' daimyo''. Emerging from the chaos of the Sengoku period, the Edo period was characte ...

(1603–1867). She debuted in 1655 as the leading courtesan of the Great Miura, the most prestigious Yoshiwara brothel of the day, and rapidly became the leading courtesan of the entirety of Yoshiwara. Takao II would be one of between six and eleven courtesans to hold the (inherited name) of 'Takao'. She is particularly famous for her affair with

Date Tsunamune was an early Edo period Japanese samurai, and the 3rd ''daimyō'' of Sendai Domain in northern Japan from 1658 to 1660, and the 19th hereditary chieftain of the Date clan. Tsunamune's succession and rule was soon opposed by a number of his kinsm ...

; some time after her death, her story would be featured in

kabuki is a classical form of Japanese dance- drama. Kabuki theatre is known for its heavily-stylised performances, the often-glamorous costumes worn by performers, and for the elaborate make-up worn by some of its performers. Kabuki is though ...

(in the play ), in song and literature, though much of it would be fabricated and fictionalized.

Portrayal in literature

According to the tale, Date Tsunamune, the young of Mutsu, visited Yoshiwara Red Light District as the result of a dispute involving family politics. His uncle sought to undermine his reputation in order to replace Tsunamune with his own son, and indirectly encouraged Tsunamune to debauch himself in the pleasure quarters. Tsunamune fell in love with Takao, but Takao rejected him, as she had promised to marry her lover at the end of her contract with the brothel. Tsunamune offered to buy out her contract by paying gold equal to her weight. The brothel owner weighted her sleeves down with iron until she weighed more than . Despite this, Tsunamune paid her weight in gold, thus buying her out of her contract. According to one version of the story, on the boat to Tsunamune's home, at a spot on the river called , Takao tried to leap into the river to either escape or drown. Tsunamune flew into a rage and killed her with his blade, then flung her body into the river. Tsunamune's uncle used the murder to force Tsunamune into retirement. According to another version, Takao refused Tsunamune even after he bought her freedom, so he had one of her fingers broken each day for ten days. When she continued to defy him, he had her taken to Mitsumata and hanged. This is the tale popularized in kabuki theatre, in song, poetry and literature.

Historical inaccuracies

While based to a great extent on fact, there are a number of historical inaccuracies, the greatest of which is Takao's death at Tsunamune's hand. Three contemporary sources, including one discovered by Santō Kyōzan, younger brother of the famous writer

Santō Kyōden Santō Kyōden (山東京伝, 13 September 1761 Edo – 27 October 1816) was a Japanese artist, writer, and the owner of a tobacco shop during the Edo period. His real name was Iwase Samuru (岩瀬醒), and he was also known popularly as Ky� ...

, describe her as dying of

pneumonia Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung primarily affecting the small air sacs known as alveoli. Symptoms typically include some combination of productive or dry cough, chest pain, fever, and difficulty breathing. The severi ...

tuberculosis Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease usually caused by '' Mycobacterium tuberculosis'' (MTB) bacteria. Tuberculosis generally affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body. Most infections show no symptoms, i ...

at the age of 19. The most complete account of her life, , adds that several of Takao's former suitors held a memorial for her and bought a tombstone, but they were criticized for not showing her the same devotion during her final illness. Another key inaccuracy in the tale involves Tsunamune, whose family members did attempt to unseat him, but who had already given up his position by the time of their encounter. The description of the relationship between Tsunamune and Takao is also inaccurate. Takao may not have been interested in Tsunamune, but there is no evidence that she intended to marry someone else. A famous love letter from Takao to Tsunamune is known to be a forgery.

References

Bibliography

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Takao 2 1640 births 1659 deaths Japanese entertainers Japanese courtesans

Portrayal in literature

Historical inaccuracies

See also

References

Bibliography