The Transition of Yukaku in Niigata Prefecture

Focusing on the number of Kashizashiki and Shogi from the Meiji period to the early Showa period

Abstract

“Kagai” is a precious entertainment district that succeeds traditional Japanese culture. In order to clarify the history of modern Kagai, it is essential to understand the transition of Yukaku. The purpose of this study is to identify the transition of modern Yukaku in Niigata prefecture. For this purpose, we will clarify the number of Kashizashiki and Shogi from the Meiji period to the early Showa period. Major results are as fillows. 1) The number of Kashizashiki peaked at 538 in 1883, and both an increasing and decreasing trend was seen from the mid to late Meiji period, but the number has been on a gradual downward trend since the end of the Meiji period. A trend of transition similar to that of Machiai was observed for Kashizashiki, unlike that of Ryoriya and Geisha. 2) The number of Shogi increased and decreased repeatedly from the early Meiji period to the early Taisho period, peaking at 1,822 in 1915. Thereafter, the number remained flat until 1930, after which it began to decline. The trend of the Shogi industry was different from that of other industries, including Geisha.