遊女(ゆうじょ)

ゆうじょ
noun
courtesan; prostitute
formalpersonhistory
1. courtesan; prostitute
A woman who provided entertainment and companionship in the licensed pleasure quarters of pre-modern Japan. The term is primarily historical.
遊女(ゆうじょ)の生活(せいかつ)は厳(きび)しかった。
The life of a courtesan was harsh.
江戸時代(えどじだい)には多(おお)くの遊女(ゆうじょ)が吉原(よしわら)で働(はたら)いていた。
During the Edo period, many courtesans worked in Yoshiwara.
浮世絵(うきよえ)には美(うつく)しい遊女(ゆうじょ)の姿(すがた)が数多(かずおお)く描(えが)かれている。
Many beautiful courtesans are depicted in ukiyo-e woodblock prints.

Usage

A historical term referring to women in the licensed pleasure quarters of pre-modern Japan. Commonly encountered in literature about the Edo period and in discussions of ukiyo-e art.

Common collocations

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 芸者(げいしゃ) (geisha (entertainer))
Compare: 花魁(おいらん) (specifically a high-ranking courtesan…)
Compare: 太夫(たゆう) (tayuu)
Compare: 娼婦(しょうふ) (prostitute)
general
Added 2026.3.14 11:12 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
16500/16645_yuujo