THE EMPEROR'S CONCUBINESIn Japanese history, especially during earlier periods like the Heian period (794-1185), the concubinage system was a common practice among the aristocracy and nobility. Concubines, known as "nyōbō" or "jōrō," were women who maintained an intimate and often sexual relationship with a man of high status, such as a noble or ruler. This system was influenced by Chinese traditions and the idea of having multiple wives or concubines as a symbol of status and power.
Concubines could have different roles and status within the household or court, depending on the nature of their relationship with the man. Some concubines could rise to positions of influence and power within the household or court, especially if they had children with the man. However, their rights and status were always subordinate to those of the primary wife, if there was one.
Although the concubinage system was common among the aristocracy, not all families practiced this form of polygamy. Moreover, over time, especially with the influence of Buddhism and the modernization of Japanese society, the concubinage system lost acceptance and became less common.
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