Prostitution in Japan has existed throughout the country's history. The opening of Japan and the subsequent flood of Western influences into Japan brought about a series of changes in the Meiji period. Japanese novelists started to draw attention to the confinement and squalid existence of the lower-class prostitutes in the red-light districts.

'Shashin Mitate Cho' (essentially; prostitute menus or catalogues) were introduced soon after photography became popular in the late 19th century; at least in more upmarket brothels; as an alternative to the 'caged prostitute' displays of lower class brothels where women were displayed for the consideration of customers. Pictures From History