I formed the strongest swordsman group

Chapter 81 Qingdeng: So soon there is a chance to show off [5400]

Kyoto, east bank of Kamogawa River, Gion——

Although the night veil has not yet fallen, as far as the eye can see, the place where you enter is already full of lights and feasting.

"Hey~~Hey~~"

The light and melodious "Gion Minor" lingers in my ears.

There were noisy fights and continuous laughter in the tea shop.

The inside and outside of the house are filled with the enticing aroma of rice and the refreshing aroma of wine.

Countless gebikos walked out of their own houses, walking in small steps, twisting their peaches that looked particularly round under their kimonos, turning them into beautiful scenery on the street.

The old and young men stood on the roadside like logs, looking at them dreamily, at these charming beauties with colorful branches and enchanting grace.

Both Aoto and Sanako were deeply attracted by this strange scene that was unprecedented in Edo.

Their eyes kept darting around, curiously looking at all the people, things, and objects in their field of vision.

Goro Komaki turned sideways, stretched out his arms, and made a "please" gesture.

"Welcome to Kyoto's largest flower street: Gion!"

Qingdeng slowly came back to his senses and secretly exclaimed:

"Is this the famous Gion... It's better to see it than to hear it a hundred times."

Strictly speaking, flower streets in China and Japan are not the same thing.

China’s Flower Street specifically refers to the red light district where flowers and willows are found.

As for the flower street in Japan, it refers specifically to the geisha area.

Japan's Yuko is the venue that meets the Chinese definition of Flower Street.

According to traditional Japanese saying, Yukaku is Yukaku, and Flower Street is Flower Street. The two are not the same.

Yukaku is the so-called brothel. Typical representatives are Yoshiwara in Edo, Shimabara in Kyoto, and Shinmachi in Osaka. The female staff who provide special services are collectively called yuyu.

Flower Street is a serious social place, consisting of three major industries: tea shops, house rentals, and house buying.

Tea shops provide the venue.

Shideya is a restaurant that delivers food and drinks.

The house is used as a gebuki agency and gebuki are dispatched.

The three industries have a clear division of labor and are closely connected.

Gebiko are female workers engaged in performing arts. Their main job is to entertain guests at banquets by playing musical instruments, singing songs, performing dances, etc., and accompanying them to drink.

Geisha in the apprenticeship stage are called "maiko", and geisha and maiko are collectively called "geibiko".

Female owners of tea shops and house owners are called "Mama Sang".

The gebuki learned skills under the tutelage of the house mamasang, and performed songs and dances under the arrangement of the teahouse mamasang.

The wandering girls of Yukaku and the gebuki of Hanagai are two completely different professions.

The difference between the two... In a nutshell, the former is a prostitute, and the latter is a prostitute.

Gebuki originated from Kabuki.

In the early Edo period, kabuki not only performed on stage, but also worked part-time as a prostitute.

It was not until the subsequent development that the "erotic" attributes of kabuki were gradually separated, and gebuki became a new independent profession in the process of separation.

In the beginning, there were both male and female Kabuki actors. In addition to the kabuki performed by prostitutes, there was also the kabuki performed by boys. These actors were young and beautiful, and they not only performed business but also provided male sex services.

These prostitutes and young men often became the trigger for jealousy among the samurai, and they even used swords and guns.

Therefore, in 1629, the Edo shogunate ordered a ban on female kabuki on the grounds that it was corrupting customs, and then in 1648, Wakazo kabuki was banned.

From then on, in order to avoid regulations, kabuki was performed by adult men.

Since then, the rule that "Kabuki actors can only be adult males" has continued to this day.

After Kabuki was outlawed, female artists who originally relied on this industry to make a living had to find another way out and became homeless entertainers.

Among them, those who did not sell their bodies, but only provided singing and dancing performances, eventually became the pioneers of gebuki.

Before the Edo period, many traveling girls and geishas operated illegally and therefore did not have to pay taxes.

After the Tokugawa era and peace in the world, in order to increase fiscal revenue, the shogunate began to register and manage gebiko and wandering girls and levy taxes on them.

By the mid-18th century, gebuki officially became a legal profession and could be operated openly. When paying taxes, you must write Gebuki in the occupation column and pay the tax in the amount prescribed by law.

It was from this time on that the distinction between yūnyeo and gebuki was officially made, and the rule that gebuki only showed off their skills but not their bodies was also widely accepted at this time.

At first, gebiko were classified as lower-class entertainers, with a status lower than that of yōjo.

Theoretically speaking, gebuki cannot sell themselves - of course, this is only in theory.

A gebiko has fallen in love with a customer, and she accidentally had some intimate interactions outside of work. You can't control it, right?

Although gebuki are prohibited from prostitution, many of them take jobs secretly to earn some extra money.

Therefore, gebuki generally exhibits the "dual nature of a divine dog."

When you are ugly or poor, the gebuki sitting in front of you is a goddess who can only be watched from a distance but not played with, and will never tolerate your frivolity.

When you are a handsome man or a rich man, the gebuki sitting in front of you will turn into a female dog that dares to love and hate, and will risk everything for love, and you can ride it.

Of course, gebuki prostitution is not allowed after all.

If the official receives a report, they will take over the investigation. If the situation is serious, the business license of gebuki will be revoked.

Because of their low status, early gebuki were not allowed to wear complicated hairstyles or gorgeous kimonos.

However, as time passed, the economy developed, and the citizen class represented by merchants emerged, the status contrast between gebiko and wandering girls began to change.

Although the bourgeoisie had spare money, their social status was low and they were unable to interact with high-class ladies such as oirans.

Therefore, the good-looking and cheap geisha seamlessly filled the entertainment needs of the citizen class.

In addition to "high quality and low price", unlike the wandering girls who speak awkward "kuji" and play outdated tunes, the gebuki who often interact with the citizen class are very down-to-earth. They talk informally and sing. The most popular songs nowadays, which makes geisha very popular and their status continues to rise.

[Note·Kuo Ci: A commonly used way of speaking by wandering girls, characterized by a very awkward accent, and the affix "Alins" will be added at the end of the sentence]

Compared with yūjo, whose personal freedom is restricted and unable to leave the yūkō freely, gebuki, whose movements are not restricted, are better able to meet the diverse needs of customers.

Wealthy people often hire gebiko to perform at their residences, or as "rental girlfriends" to travel with.

In addition, the "freedom of love" of gebuki is also a huge advantage that yuga cannot match.

Because yanderes make money from their bodies, yanderes, like modern idols, are strictly prohibited from falling in love.

If you fall in love with someone, that's fine as long as it doesn't affect your business. But if you can't handle customers properly, or if you do something like elope, then you'd better pray that you won't be caught.

This is not the case with gebuki.

Because they rely on crafts to make a living, they can fall in love boldly and freely.

Whether to be with a talented and beautiful woman, or to be with a wealthy businessman and noble man with a big belly, it all depends on the geimaiko's pleasure.

There are always good stories about "the handsome samurai and the unparalleled beauty gebiko marry" in the market.

Kyoto is the birthplace of gebuki.

Over the years, Gion has gained an indescribable splendor inside and outside.

An old brick road.

Antique row of buildings.

The air of luxury and glitz.

Of course, the most eye-catching thing is the gebuki dancing in and out of the streets of Gion.

Wearing a flower bun on the head, a kimono with furisode sleeves, a sash around the waist, and thick-soled geta on the waist and feet - this is the standard geibuki dress.

[Note: Furisode kimono: long-sleeved kimono, the style of kimono for unmarried women, with sleeves reaching almost the instep, bright colors, and gorgeous patterns as the main features]

Gebiko's hair accessories are very gorgeous, especially the hairpins on their heads, which have a specific style every month. January is pine, bamboo and plum blossoms, February is plum blossoms, March is rape blossoms, April is cherry blossoms, May is iris, June is hydrangea, July is Gion fan, August is morning glory, and September is platycodon. The flowers are chrysanthemums in October, red leaves in November, and theater billboard style in December.

It's February, so if you look around, you can see that all the gebuki on the street are wearing exquisite plum blossom-style hairpins on their heads, forming a unique plum blossom forest.

Gebuki's hairstyle is also very special.

Younger gebuki generally wear their hair in a peach-cut bun, tightening the hair at the top and twisting their temples into a bun. Viewed from the front, the hairstyle looks like a peach. The older gebuki wore their hair in the "Arakko" bun. Different from Momogeli's round bun, Akakako's bun looked like a pentagon when viewed from the back.

In addition to their hairstyle and hairpins, gebuki's shoes and belts are all different from ordinary girls.

The soles of the thick-soled clogs under their feet are up to 15 centimeters thick. The color of the clogs of different classes of gebuki will be different. The shoelaces of young kabuki with peach buns are red, while the laces of older kabukis with red shikako buns are red. Gebiko's shoelaces are light red.

As for the belt they used, it was called a "drop belt". The length of the sash is 1.5 times that of a normal kimono obi (3-5 meters), and some sash can even be as long as 7 meters. The patterns on the sash are very rich and luxurious, the gebuki's steps are graceful, and the sash of the sash behind her is very attractive.

When gebuki walk on the street, they always hold a handbag called "Tomori" in their arms, which consists of an upper Tomori (Japanese small bag) and a lower bamboo cage or wooden cage. The turban is usually used to carry handkerchiefs, fans, paper towels, toothpicks, lipstick and other necessities for gebuki to banquets.

Although Edo also had areas where gebuki and gebuki gathered, it did not form an "industrial complex" as large as Gion.

It is reported that there are more than 3,000 gebuki in Gion.

It was the first time for Ayoto to see so many gebuki, and he accidentally became slightly fascinated by them.

Really just a few! However……

Suddenly, Qingden felt a needle-like chill stabbing his skin.

Qingden shivered, and then looked in the direction of the coldness - Sanako squinted her eyes, staring at him expressionlessly.

This look on his face seems to be saying: Hey, you seem to like gebuki very much?

Sanako was jealous more than anyone else, and she held the most vehement objections to Qingden's ambition of "marrying three wives and starting a big family."

In an instant, Qingto straightened his gaze, not daring to look at the gebuki on the street anymore, and looked straight at the air in front of him.

The awe-inspiring demeanor and solemn expression are like the best annotation of the word "gentleman".

"This is Sumireya, one of the most popular teahouses in Gion."

"That's Tomaya, who trained the now famous gebuki: Yukiyo."

"This Shideya often cooperates with major tea shops in Gion."

…

Led by Goro Komaki, the group walked around Gion with stops.

Goro Komaki was very familiar with Gion.

Not only was he familiar with the topography of Gion, but he also had detailed information on various teahouses, residences, and houses in Gion at his fingertips.

When Qingdeng saw this, he couldn't help but joked:

"Mr. Komaki, you are so familiar with Gion. Do you think you frequent this place often?"

Komaki Goro smiled.

Then he turned around and looked directly at Qingdeng, his expression extremely serious:

"It's time to talk, let's talk, there are some jokes you can't make."

At the same time, A-Machi turned his head sideways and cast a sharp, needle-like gaze at Komaki Goro—so similar to the look Sanako used to glare at Aito just now.

"Feel sorry……"

Qingdeng, who knew how frightening such a "kind look" was, apologized smoothly.

"Don't underestimate Gion, I didn't bring you to watch gebuki."

As he spoke, Goro Komaki put on a serious tone.

"Gion is one of the largest gathering places in Kyoto."

"Businessmen discuss business here."

"The drunkards are drinking here."

"The talented people discuss poetry here."

"Samurai exchange martial arts here."

"Naturally, it is indispensable for people with lofty ideals to discuss important matters of family and country here."

Goro Komaki tilted his head and placed his right palm on his right auricle.

"Listen...prick your ears gently, and you will hear a lot of southern and northern accents."

When Qingdeng heard this, he immediately held his breath and listened intently.

The talent "Perceiver of Wind +1" is activated.

Kyotoha, Osaka Benichi, Edo accent, Choshu accent, Satsuma dialect... all kinds of accents and accents poured directly into Qingto's ears.

"People with lofty ideals often gather and hold meetings in Gion."

"Gion, where people come and go and where scholars, farmers, and merchants are crowded together, is really a place that hides itself from others."

"They even hired and bribed gebuki, who often interacted with people from all walks of life and had a high degree of freedom, to become their eyes and ears to help collect intelligence and find out news."

"Tachibana-kun, this is my suggestion to you - since you are the governor of Gyeonggi Town responsible for maintaining public security in Kyoto, you should list Gion as a key surveillance area."

"If you're lucky, you might be able to collect a lot of useful information here."

After hearing this, Qingdeng glanced around the surrounding street scene, and then solemnly thanked:

"Mr. Gu Mu, thank you very much. Your advice is very useful to me."

Komu Goro smiled slightly.

"You're welcome. My wife and I have lived in Kyoto for many years and both have a deep affection for this city. We hope more than anyone else that Kyoto can return to its former stability as soon as possible. If I can contribute to the long-term stability of Kyoto, I will spare no effort. .”

As soon as Komaki Goro finished speaking——

"Hey! Have we made it clear? In 7 days, I want to see 100 taels of gold! Otherwise, your shop will be demolished!"

A sudden shout attracted the attention of Qingdeng and others.

I saw five fierce warriors with swords on their waists, rushing like wolves and tigers into a tea shop not far away.

When nearby pedestrians saw this, they all sped up and tried to avoid it.

Gu Muwulang raised his eyebrows and said quietly:

"Oh, we are really enemies of each other. Aren't these the Yakuza of Kusunoki Group?"

Qingteng of the Nanmu Group was in Wulangpu this morning, and learned in detail about the past and present life of this organization through the stories of the Gumu couple and the elderly.

The tea shop that the five Yakuza members of the Nanmu Group broke into exuded a simple atmosphere, both in terms of the area and the surrounding decoration.

Presumably this is just an ordinary, civilian shop.

When the yakuza of the Kusunoki group forced their way in, the shopkeeper—a short middle-aged man—knelt down on the ground, bent over, with three fingers on the ground, his posture as humble as dust.

"My lords, we are just a small family and we really can't afford that much money! Do you think this money will be enough?"

As he spoke, the shopkeeper took out a money bag from his arms, untied it, and pushed it forward.

The money bag was filled with glittering gold. At a rough count, there were about 6 or 70 taels, but definitely not 100 taels.

The leader of the Yakuza—he had a conspicuous diagonal scar on the left corner of his mouth—kicked the pile of money away.

Clatter...gold coins rolled down.

"Cut the nonsense!"

The scarred face raised his eyebrows, showing his fierce look.

"You businessmen only know how to eat, drink and have fun! What's the matter? When you eat, drink and play with women, you will have money. When you are asked to donate a sum of money to support the great cause of respecting the king and fighting the barbarians, why do you happen to have no money? "

As soon as Scarface finished speaking, his companions behind him chirped in agreement:

"That's right!"

"You businessmen only have yellow and white things in your eyes and have no feelings for your family and country!"

"The country is in trouble! The Western Barbarians may attack at any time! Every penny of your funding will be used as our strength to fight against the Western Barbarians in the future!"

Faced with the blame from the yakuza, the shopkeeper curled up into a ball, looked pale and did not dare to speak.

At this moment, a sassy female voice, accompanied by footsteps approaching from far away, came from the inner room of the teahouse.

"Please come back!"

Immediately afterwards, a woman in her 30s, wearing a blue kimono and a light purple sash, rushed out and glared at the Yakuza without fear.

Judging from her aura, she should be the mamasang of this tea shop.

"Don't go too far! Even if we are collecting funds for future revolts, there are so many big tea shops, houses, and houses in Gion. Why do you only come to us? The money is already beyond our reach. Take out everything!”

Mamasang's scolding did not make Scarface angry - he swept his eyes, looked at the other person carefully from head to toe, and then showed an intriguing smile.

Then, Scarface strode towards Mama-san.

When Mamasang saw this, she immediately realized something, her expression changed, and she subconsciously turned around to run away.

However, it was too late.

Scarface stepped forward and grabbed Mama Sang's clothes by the back collar.

"W-what are you going to do?"

Although she struggled hard, how could she, a weak woman, break free from the control of a grown man?

"Have I made it clear before? If you don't pay enough 100 taels of gold, your store will be demolished."

"As a result, not only did you not pay enough, but you also spoke rudely to us."

"Hey! Kids, demolish this shabby shop! Let everyone else have a good look at the consequences of disobeying the king and fighting against the barbarians!"

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Asking for a monthly ticket! Please vote for recommendation! (Leopard head crying.jpg)

There was no time to mourn the failure of "17 o'clock on-time update" for even a moment. What immediately came to the battlefield was "19 o'clock on-time update"!

PS: The "respectful men with lofty ideals come to extort money and molest women" in this chapter are historical facts, and they are not writing vulgar plots. Reality is so vulgar, what can I do?