Not many people know that the fifteen shoguns had a harem much like a middle eastern seraglio (and, if truth be told, so did the emperors up until Hirohito). The words every young woman in the shogun’s harem hoped to hear were ‘What is her name?’ – the code to indicate that the shogun wanted to spend the night with her. For more – much more – look out for my article in the Sunday Times Magazine on February 17th.
The Shogun’s Harem
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Yes,shoguns did have big harems.When you say harems,it reminds me of “The Enchantress of Florence” by Salman Rushdie.It’s really a great book and if you haven’t read it,Mrs Downer,I highly recomend it to you.
Oh,and I’m so envious of you.I am dieing to visit Japan.
Love your book so much!I hope that you write many great things like “The Last Concubine”.
Send my greetings to Artur!
I wish you all the luck,Mrs Downer.
Silvia from Serbia