Yugiri’s Occupation:

First I wish to lay the groundworks of my theory on the most well known thing about Yugiri: she is an Oiran (courtesan). Oiran were considered highly educated and talented entertainers first and foremost, while sexual favors were considered secondary. It is noted that Oiran by the 1800s often refuse to accept casual customers, preferring to serve more wealthier and prestigious types. Along with that, in order to see an Oiran, you must be referred to by a certain teahouse, you must schedule an appointment, and you are willing to pay for high fees for their services. A fee for one evening was considered “well beyond a laborer’s monthly wage and comparable to a shop assistant’s annual salary.” (it was 1 ryo – 1 ryo 3 bu) to put things into perspective.

Additionally, the Geisha was on the rise in the 1800s because of how exclusive the Oiran were. At the time, Geishas were forbidden to sell sex as that was the Oiran’s job, with a few exceptions. Their main purpose was to focus on the traditional arts, much like the Oiran, and be the backdrop entertainers for said Oirans. It is also noted that the Oiran lived in isolation within closed-in pleasure districts and seldom ever travel out. As times were changing, the Oiran were becoming were increasingly out-of-touch with society, which is only exemplified by the Meiji Restoration.

“In a time when both dress and hairstyles were becoming simpler, oiran’s costumes became more and more ornate, culminating in a style with eight or more pins and combs in the hair, and many layers of highly ornamented garments derived from the early Edo period. Similarly, the entertainments offered were derived from those of the original courtesans generations before.”

Yugiri’s Possible Upbringing:

Yugiri was born in 1863. She was 5 years old when the Meiji era began in 1868. She likely was trained into becoming an Oiran since she was a child. As training to become one would require Yugiri to learn and master several traditional arts such as calligraphy, being well-read, writing and conversing with wit and elegance, flower arranging, and the ability to play several instruments such as the shamisen that you see Yugiri play.

Yugiri’s Character:

As mentioned in my first post, I talked about how Yugiri’s blood type said “unchecked”. I am fully aware that blood type tests weren’t a thing until much later, but my point still stands that Yugiri’s possible AB blood type could be an indicator that she may have a dual-natured personality.

Because why would someone kill Yugiri in the first place? I believe the reason why she died was because of her possible dual-natured personality. And that’s why the show hides it. That other side of her being ostentatious. An attention seeker of a sort.

Of course she would not do anything to seek out said attention. She’s not going to act like somebody else. She’s going to act the way she was raised to act. Is it effective? Not really, no. It’s actually poetic in a messed up way. In the Meiji era, she was behind the times and was largely ignored. And in modern times, she is behind the times and is largely ignored. Like the fan favorite in the show is Junko as she gets the longest lines and she has a special photo album just about her. The second place in popularity would have to be either Saki, Ai, or Tae. Sakura and Lily would come next in fan popularity. Then you get Yugiri at the end.

[You know? I think the idea of Yugiri being constantly behind the times no matter what time period she is living in is partly why she doesn’t question stuff about modern technology and society all too much. Because she’s used to getting confused at technology and society passed the Edo period.]

Now why did I say she was ostentatious? This scene:

With how she mimicked Sakura’s speech and essentially stole the spotlight, I would say it plays in part to her character as a whole. I am not saying Yugiri is malicious, cruel, or anything. This is a side of her that is not prominent in how she presents herself, but rather a small part of her that feels like she’s an outcast and has no presence. Not because she’s anti-social, but rather due to her circumstances as an Oiran. Because this is the only scene we really see her act like this, and it is shortly after Sakura said this before she began her speech:

Now from the context of the entire scene, Yugiri was fetching everyone to come back to practice. Sakura at the time was kind out of it, and probably didn’t hear Yugiri or even know she was there. Nonetheless, from the fact Yugiri and the group weren’t talking to each other during the beginning of the scene about coming back to practice, and Yugiri seems like she’s taking a break too; Yugiri may have came a few minutes before the scene started and Saki probably said “a couple more minutes” or something to extend the break. Yugiri likely assumed the group (including Sakura) is aware of her announcement and proceeded to take a break herself. Scene begins. Sakura flys off and crashes. Sakura then begins to speak. When Sakura said everybody’s name except Yugiri’s, Yugiri probably assumed it was more of a freudian slip of not considering her part of the group rather than Sakura just not being aware of her surroundings. And from that misunderstanding, prompted her to slap Sakura and steal her speech word-for-word. A bit random at first viewing, but it does make sense if you factor in the idea that she may be self-centered (to an extent), as that is a trait of a type AB personality.

Yugiri’s Death:

[Firstly, I do not subscribe to theories that Yugiri died because someone tested their sword on her one day when she was on the road, nor that the Shinsengumi were involved with her death. The former being Tsujigiri, was banned in 1602 and only one notable instant of Tsujigiri happening after the ban was in 1696. Otherwise, the practice of Tsujigiri is not relevant by the time of the Meiji period. As for the latter Shinsengumi, they were disbanded in 1869. 13 years before Yugiri’s death. Additionally, there was a sword ban forbidding all ronin that could cause rebellion from carrying swords in the Meiji era in the year 1876. With obvious exemptions to those working for the government/well trusted. The Shinsengumi, who were the special police that asserted the former Tokugawa Shogunate’s power in Kyoto and stifled Imperial authority, would be very high on that list of not being trustworthy. Yugiri’s death from some random guy on the road or a(n) (ex-)Shinsengumi is unlikely.]

Back to why I believe Yugiri’s death was due to her personality. The reason why her ostentatious side doesn’t really show up in the show is probably because she’s more confused about the entire scenario she’s in. Also she really doesn’t have too much attachment to really anything as everything and everyone she knows and loves has longed been dead. In the past when she was alive, she likely had more purpose to her actions as she wanted to become a successful Oiran in a time of Geishas. However, isolation and the lack of customers to interact with developed an ostentatious side to her as she actively tries attract more clients. Her drive to entertain more people may include casual customers as well. As an Oiran who serves and entertains clients, rich and poor, she may have struck a niche in the market, like the Geishas in the 1800s, and garnered her the attention she wanted through the craft she loves. With Yugiri maintaining the Oiran traditions, but also being more approachable. But as it drew upon the happiness of the clients, it also drew upon the ire of Oiran and Geisha alike. At the height of her career where she felt truly happy with herself, an assassin, hired by a rival and posed as a client, beheaded her. (The assassin was likely a high-ranking officer who was allowed to carry weapons.) And the rest, was history.

Holy ****. This plays very well with the intro to episode 10 indicating this is the first time she had friends.

Rivals putting a hit out on her can be played also somewhat comedically unlike the other fan theories for her death, which fits well with how all the deaths except Juunko’s you are kind of torn between laughing and crying because of the visuals used.

Theory about Yugiri: Part 2 •