たけちゃん

A Career That Lasted Just One Year, A Life That Ended at 19.
Yet Her Story Has Been Told for 300 Years.

In Nihonbashi Hakozaki-cho, there's a peculiar shrine that enshrines human remains. The bones are said to belong to "Takao Tayu," but according to various theories, they likely aren't hers... Yet for 300 years, people have continued to visit and pay their respects.

★The Orphan Who Sold Leaf Stones

During the Edo period, in Shiobara Village, Shimotsuke Province. A girl named "Miyo," who had lost her parents, spent her days picking stones from riverbeds and selling them to hot spring inns. One day, she approached a wealthy couple staying at an inn. This couple was the owner of "Miuraya," the largest brothel in Yoshiwara. Captivated by her appearance, they took her to Edo as their adopted daughter. She began intensive education in arts and academics, not to become a courtesan, but to become the future proprietress.

★A Decision to Repay Her Debt

In 1657, the Great Fire of Meireki burned down Yoshiwara. Miuraya was rebuilt with borrowed money, but customers stayed away and debt collectors came daily. Watching this, Miyo said: "Please let me become a courtesan." The owner opposed it, but yielded to her determination.

★An Exceptional Debut

Normally, courtesans spent years as apprentices before becoming full-fledged. Only a handful ever reached the highest rank of "Tayu." But Miyo debuted as "Second Generation Takao Tayu" with zero apprenticeship. Praised as "beautiful as if she stepped out of a painting," she became the talk of Yoshiwara overnight. Miuraya prospered instantly.

★And Then

Her peak lasted just one year. At 18, she developed tuberculosis and died at 19. The owner held a grand funeral and built a grave for her—an exceptional treatment for a courtesan.

★A Legend Was Born

Her brilliant but brief life inspired various legends. "She refused the marriage proposal of the Lord of Sendai and was brutally murdered on the Sumida River." According to various theories, this isn't historical fact... Yet this story created a shrine, and 300 years later, people still visit.

★And Now, in the Reiwa Era

This shrine recently reopened after renovation. Reborn with an urban, sophisticated design, the Edo legend now blends into the Reiwa cityscape. An orphan who sold leaf stones. A one-year peak. Dead at 19. Yet her name continues to live on, in a new form.

高尾稲荷神社
～全盛期1年、享年19歳。それでも300年語り継がれる理由～

高尾稲荷神社 ～全盛期1年、享年19歳。それでも300年語り継がれる理由～ A Career That Lasted Just One Year, A Life That Ended at 19. Yet Her Story Has Been Told for 300 Years.

日本橋箱崎町に、人骨を祀った奇妙な神社があります。祀られているのは「高尾太夫」の遺骨とされていますが、諸説ありますが実は彼女のものではないようです……それでも300年間、人々は参拝に訪れ続けています。

★葉っぱ石を売る孤児
江戸時代、下野国の塩原村。両親を亡くした「みよ」は、川底の石を拾って温泉宿に売り歩いていました。ある日、滞在客の裕福な夫婦に声をかけます。この夫婦が、吉原最大の妓楼「三浦屋」の主人でした。彼女の器量に惚れ込み、養女として江戸へ。将来のおかみ候補として、芸事から学問まで徹底教育が始まります。

★恩返しの決意
1657年、明暦の大火で吉原全焼。借金で再建した三浦屋は客足が途絶え、借金取りが毎日訪れる日々。その様子を見たみよが言いました。「遊女にしてください」。主人は反対しましたが、彼女の熱意に折れます。

★異例のデビュー
通常、遊女は何年もの見習いを経て一人前に。最高位の「太夫」になれるのはほんの一握り。でもみよは、見習いゼロでいきなり「二代目高尾太夫」として太夫デビュー。「絵から抜け出たほど美しい」と評され、一夜にして吉原の話題に。三浦屋は瞬く間に大繁盛。

★そして
全盛期はわずか1年。18歳で肺結核を発症し、19歳で病死。主人は盛大な葬儀を行い、墓を建てました。遊女には異例の扱いでした。

★伝説が生まれた
あまりに鮮烈な生涯に、やがて様々な伝説が生まれます。「仙台藩主の身請けを拒み、隅田川で惨殺された」。諸説ありますが史実ではないようです……でもこの物語が神社を生み、300年後の今も人々が訪れています。

★そして令和の今
この神社、最近リニューアルオープンしました。都会的で洗練されたデザインに生まれ変わり、江戸の伝説が令和の街並みに溶け込んでいます。葉っぱ石を売っていた孤児。全盛期1年。享年19歳。それでも彼女の名前は、新しい姿で、これからも生き続けていきます。