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The Untold Stories of Karayuki-san: Japan’s Forgotten Prostitutes
The lives of Japan’s Karayuki-san, a group of women forced into prostitution, are marked by turmoil and hardship. Each woman has a unique story, filled with struggles and challenges. Hiromi Makino, a researcher who studied an audio tape left behind by one of these women, shares her findings.
One Karayuki-san was sold to a Japanese brothel in Singapore at the age of 16. At her peak, she served as many as 49 customers a day. A year and a half later, she was bought by an Englishman and began a new life, one that was envied by those around her. However, she was not allowed to give birth even when she became pregnant.
Photo by Jiji Press
A Glimpse into the Lives of Karayuki-san
Haruyo, a Karayuki-san, shared her experiences with customers. When asked if there were any foreign customers who were perverted, she denied it. Instead, she spoke about the Japanese customers who would ask her if she was happy while having sex with them.
Haruyo recalled a conversation with a Japanese customer who asked her if she was happy. She responded, ”I was thinking, ‘Stop that fart,’ in my mind. I’m so sorry.” The customer then said, “You must be happy, but I’ll make you say it. That’s what Japanese people do.”
The Treatment of Women by Japanese Men
Haruyo preferred foreigners to Japanese men, who would often ask for her consent in a way that felt insincere. She felt that Japanese men were only interested in satisfying their own desires, without considering the feelings of women. In contrast, foreigners were more cultured and gentlemanly.
Osaki, another Karayuki-san, shared similar experiences. She began working as a prostitute at the age of 22 and would often have 30 customers in one night. She disliked the Japanese guests, saying, “They were the nastiest (compared to the locals, the British, and the Chinese). They treated us roughly and inconsiderately.”
Both Haruyo and Osaki’s stories highlight the selfishness of Japanese men and the harsh treatment of women in the sex industry.