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Akesato's Many Guises:

Akesato, like many shinobi, is a master of disguise. In the past, present, and future, she will employ many disguises, and I thought I would list them here for reference.

As a courtesan: Akesato is of the rank of koshi-joro, which came later to be known by several other names, including zashikimochi and tenjin. This is the rank underneath oiran, and because she is not particularly well-known or highly-placed within the rank, the costs for her services are about half that of an oiran. (The price for a koshi-joro was once listed at about 60 silver pieces or bu, as opposed to a tayuu/oiran at around 90 silver pieces. But, even the lowest-ranked courtesans priced at 1 silver piece were still far above common prostitutes. By this time, oiran were pretty rare. It's likely that less than a half-dozen still operated in all of Japan -- if any still operated at all.) The yujo-ya where Akesato lives is run by a woman named Ishiki-san, and Akesato has one young apprentice, or "kamuro", named Yasu. When she is playing the role of courtesan, Akesato uses a very stylized manner of speaking. Her accent and dialect -scream- Kyoto, in particular, Shimabara. She wears a traditional wig, thus covering her blonde hair.

As a ninja: The "blonde shinobi" was a fixture in Kyoto during the days of the Bakumatsu. It was rumored, in Kyoto, among those in the circles of shadow-warriors, that after Yoshida died, she had some vague involvement with Sakamoto Ryouma, but was not involved with his death. As a ninja, Akesato's voice is cutting and acrid. She generally keeps her lower face covered with a mask, and ties back her long blonde hair into a pony-tail.

Dressed down: When going about town on personal matters, Akesato still wears the wig, but less finery and makeup. She's still identifiable as a courtesan by anyone, by the style of the wig, the way she wears the kimono, her makeup (though light) and the way she wears her obi.

Other guises: Will be added as Akesato uses them.

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Other People:

Ishiki-san: Proprietor of the yujo-ya where Akesato lives -- being blackmailed to "look the other way" on Akesato's affairs by the Fuuma clan (who has information on some past criminal activities of hers). Somewhat unremarkable, and not particularly chatty. She schedules Akesato's "arrangements", and will also pass along messages to Akesato. If a person comes to the yujo-ya and wants to wait to see Akesato, Ishiki-san will show them into a small tatami "banquet room" in the yujo-ya where they can wait. Other players may feel free to "use" Ishiki-san as necessary.

Yasu: (Age 13 -- Now 14) Akesato's "kamuro" or apprentice.

Shuntaro: Akesato's liason to the Fuuma clan. He poses as an "otokoshi" or manservant in Yoshiwara. When necessary, he arrives to help Akesato dress for the night, act as her porter or bodyguard, or shuffle the kamuro home when Akesato is to be "indisposed" with a gentleman. But, mostly he brings her assignments from the Fuuma clan, and passes information back to them from Akesato.

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Glossary and Terms:

-han: Kansai-ben type suffix not unlike -san.

Jarajara: Kansai-ben for "ridiculous", or "how silly". One of Akesato's favorite exclamations.

Kamuro: Apprentice courtesans. These are young girls that are in training, and generally act as students and servants to their mistress until they become old enough to take up the trade themselves.

Karyukai: Flower and willow world. Equivalent term to hanamachi.

Katsuyama Hairstyle: As seen here.

Keiseimachi: "District of the city-destroyers". Courtesan districts.

Kokyu: Stringed instrument played with loose, feathery, bow. (Picture.)

Koshi-joro: Akesato's rank within the hierarchy of courtesans. Second only to the near-extinct Oiran rank. Also called "zashikimochi".

Odoriko: Dancing girl.

Ozashiki: A traditional tatami banquet room, usually in a ryotei.

Ryotei: Ostensibly restaurants with private dining halls of various sizes, this is where geisha/geiko and courtesans often entertain guests...as opposed to the "ochaya" or "teahouses" of Kyoto. Some ryotei are also guest houses or adjacent to guest houses.

Shimbashi: (Also Shinbashi) One of the hanamachi of Tokyo, near the railway station of the same name. Particularly favored, at this time, for the chic fashions the geisha there wore.

Shuhi Gimu: Code of secrecy / keeping everything in the strictest confidence.

Yanagibashi: One of the hanamachi of Tokyo, particularly favored for it's riverside views.

Yoshiwara: Licensed district in Tokyo. This is where the Ishikiya is located, though Akesato often attends to her customers outside of the district at their residences, at parties, gatherings, or "ryotei".

Yujo: Any non-oiran courtesan or prostitute.

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