The first collaborative work between Tsutaju and Houseido Kisanji. A sophisticated and detailed humorous book full of old man jokes.

“Chijiki of the Prostitutes” marked Tsutaju and Kisanji’s first collaboration. Up until that point, he had only written the preface and postscript to “Meigetsu Yojo,” a pamphlet about the Shin Yoshiwara niwaka (a type of entertainment).

Kisanji was a samurai of the Akita domain who served as an Edo rusuiyaku (diplomat) and was therefore well-educated. He also frequently visited brothels using the domain’s funds. As Yoshiwara’s foremost expert, Kisanji was the perfect person to introduce the area. Making full use of this potential, he created “Chijiki of the Prostitutes” as a humorous book introducing Shin Yoshiwara, peppered with witty old man gags.

In the drama, Omi Toshinori repeatedly says, “How about it, well.” This is likely a foreshadowing of the play name “Dōdaro Maa” under which the book was produced.

The Ukiyo-e Cafe has a permanent exhibition of both the original Edo period “Shohi Chiriki” and a reproduction. The reproduction is also available for purchase.

Pun-filled playful nickname "Doudarou Maa Doudarou Maa" = Hosei-do Kisanji

[Story]

You might be wondering about the plot, but the initial setting is an area guide for Shin Yoshiwara, a fictional country called “Hokusenpu Yoshiwara Otsuki Honkoku.” The name “Hokusenpu Yoshiwara Otsuki Honkoku” itself is a pun. “Hokusenpu” refers to the prostitutes in Yoshiwara, located in Kitasato. The word “Otsuki Honkoku” was created by replacing “Hokusenpu” with “Moon,” the shadow of the sun, in contrast to the Great Japan. It was a pun easily understood by those of the time.

The pun begins in the preface. It begins with the playful nickname “Doudarou Maa.” The seal on the cover reads “Hiromete-kunna” (Don’t spread it). Both the writing and the design are packed with witty puns that will have you smiling. From the preface to the final postscript, the editing has been designed to make you want to search for puns in every nook and cranny.

"Map of Otsuki Hometown = Map of the Shin Yoshiwara Red-light District" is a map that depicts Shin Yoshiwara as an ocean. The place names are exquisite.

It’s a clever pun, but the content functions properly as a guidebook. The streets, town names, and brothels are likened to the ocean or groups of people in Otsuki Hometown, and the courtesans there are likened to scenic spots and springs, introducing each courtesan’s individuality. It also introduces the local products and restaurants sold by merchants. It’s a fun book that makes you imagine how well-matched Kisanji and Tsutaju must have been as a team.

Many Yoshiwara specialties lined the streets of Gojikendo.

[Prologue to the Geography of the Prostitutes] Source: National Book Database
[Title] Geography of the Prostitutes (Shohichiriki) Pun: Sho and Hichiriki (sho and hichiriki) sound the same.
[Author] Dodarou Maa (How about? Well?) Hosei-do Kizoji
[Publisher] Tsutaya Juzaburo
[Publication Year] 1777
The Ukiyo-e Cafe’s collection is the original from 1777.
A reprint produced in 1926 is available for sale.
[Specifications] Woodblock print, 17.3 x 11.6 cm, 60 pages total