During the time of the Thirteenth Night, women did not have equal rights. In fact, women weren’t allowed to work or even had limited learning abilities. Women had little resources to support their families so many resorted to prostitution or being a mistress. A writer back then named Ichiyo struggled with being a writer back then because the little resources women had, and it reflected in her writing although she had an education. Women were instructed to stay home to cook and clean and take care of their families. Women had little to no power during those times. I believe the characters in Ichiyo stories represent with her struggles being a woman back then.