Yūjomono: Voices of Indentured Women in Jiuta Sōkyoku Lyrics
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Yūjo (lit. ‘women of play’) refers to females in Japan who from ancient times used their charms, physical attractions and entertainment talents to serve men. The term carries a negative connotation as it frequently referred to women involved in prostitution, but depending on the period and social context, it could also denote a class of highly talented professional courtesans whose refined artistic skills were popular in the licensed entertainment areas called yūkaku. The yūkaku constituted an integral part of Edo culture and was frequented by intellectuals, artists, and writers of the day. Yūjomono refers to a subclass of songs from the jiuta sōkyoku genre of salon ensemble music that utilizes voice, shamisen, koto and shakuhachi; popular from the Edo period (1603-1868) to the present day.
In spite of the fame and glamour of the high-ranking courtesans, it must be kept in mind that these women were—along with their less fortunate colleagues—basically indentured workers. Because of this historical reality, some Japanese music scholars are reluctant to discuss this aspect of jiuta sōkyoku ensemble music. Nonetheless, the yūjo mono songs bequeathed to us today are some of the most popular and beautiful songs in the jiuta sōkyoku musical repertory. This presentation will discuss a sampling of song content, along with recordings, to illustrate the various voices of yūjo women and the yūkaku culture, demonstrating their agency in contributing to the Japanese culture and society.
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