Changes

As the Edo period (1615-1868) progressed, the cleats of a courtesans’ clogs grew in height and their kimono became increasingly heavy, making the choreographed “figure-eight” walk they were required to perform extremely challenging.

As the Edo period (1615-1868) progressed, the cleats of a courtesans’ clogs grew in height and their kimono became increasingly heavy, making the choreographed “figure-eight” walk they were required to perform extremely challenging.

Occasionally, a courtesan would stumble and fall during a procession, in which case she would be required to retreat to the nearest teahouse, send her attendant home for a new set of clothes, change into the new outfit, donate her previous outfit to the teahouse, and later pay the teahouse staff an additional fee for their assistance. For courtesans whose daily income was unpredictable and who were struggling to meet expenses for their shinzō, kamuro, and themselves, the mere possibility of such an accident must have been a source of intense anxiety. - Arts of the Bedchamber exhibit website

Occasionally, a courtesan would stumble and fall during a procession, in which case she would be required to retreat to the nearest teahouse, send her attendant home for a new set of clothes, change into the new outfit, donate her previous outfit to the teahouse, and later pay the teahouse staff an additional fee for their assistance. For courtesans whose daily income was unpredictable and who were struggling to meet expenses for their shinzō, kamuro, and themselves, the mere possibility of such an accident must have been a source of intense anxiety. - Arts of the Bedchamber exhibit website