芸妓(げいぎ)

げいぎ
noun
geisha; geiko; trained female entertainer
formalliteraryoccupation
See also: 芸者(げいしゃ) (standard term)
1. geisha; geiko; trained female entertainer
A female entertainer trained in traditional Japanese arts such as music, dance, and conversation. The formal term for what is more commonly known as 芸者. In Kyoto, the equivalent term is 芸子 (geiko).
芸妓(げいぎ)が三味線(しゃみせん)を弾(ひ)いた。
The geisha played the shamisen.
祇園(ぎおん)では芸妓(げいぎ)のことを芸子(げいこ)と呼(よ)ぶ。
In Gion, geisha are called geiko.
芸妓(げいぎ)になるには長年(ながねん)の厳(きび)しい修行(しゅぎょう)が必要(ひつよう)だ。
Becoming a geisha requires many years of rigorous training.

Usage

芸妓(げいぎ) is the formal, literary term for a geisha. In everyday speech, 芸者(げいしゃ) is more common. In Kyoto's 花街(かがい) (geisha districts), the local term is 芸子(げいこ). A trainee geisha is called a 舞妓(まいこ) in Kyoto or 半玉(はんぎょく) in Tokyo.

Regional terms

  • 芸者(げいしゃ) — standard/Tokyo term (most common nationwide)
  • 芸妓(げいぎ) — formal/literary term
  • 芸子(げいこ) — Kyoto term

Common collocations

  • 芸妓(げいぎ)の舞(まい) (a geisha's dance)
  • 芸妓(げいぎ)を呼(よ)ぶ (to call for a geisha)
  • 芸妓(げいぎ)置屋(おきや) (geisha house, where geisha are registered)
general
Added 2026.3.11 23:09 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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