What the public did not--and probably did not want to--see was the harsh reality of working as a courtesan. Despite their publically luxurious lifestyle and adoration by men and women alike, Yoshiwara women were part of a system of prostitution which, while socially acceptable in Edo Japan, nevertheless entailed its share of cruelties. This drawing, which never made it into print, depicts scenes of medical diagnosis, pregnancy, abortion, and punishments. Regulations were tough and women who did not meet expected quotas were penalized, which usually amounted to fees or an extension of her term of service. Yet, for many poor families, selling a young daughter to a brothel often represented a welcomed alternative to starvation or infanticide, perhaps ultimately benefitting both family and daughter (but always benefitting the proprietor and middlemen). For better or for worse, prostitution was at that time the only profession open to all women of every social strata. And, for those in the profession, the Yoshiwara was still a place to aspire to.