1.
geisha district; entertainment quarter
A district or neighborhood where geisha houses, teahouses, and traditional entertainment establishments are concentrated. Historically the center of traditional Japanese performing arts and hospitality.
京都には有名な花街がある。
Kyoto has famous geisha districts.
花街の文化を守る活動が続いている。
Efforts to preserve the culture of the geisha districts continue.
祇園は日本で最も有名な花街で、舞妓さんの姿を見ることができる。
Gion is Japan's most famous geisha district, where you can see apprentice geisha.
WORD FORMATION:
花 (flower) + 街 (district, quarter). The 'flower' metaphor refers to the beauty and refinement of the arts practiced there.
CULTURAL NOTE:
Kyoto's five major 花街 are 祇園甲部, 祇園東, 先斗町, 上七軒, and 宮川町. Tokyo also had its own 花街, such as 新橋 and 赤坂. These districts are associated with traditional arts including 日本舞踊, 三味線, and the tea ceremony.
ALTERNATE READING:
Also read as はなまち, which is more colloquial.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 花街の文化 (culture of the geisha districts)
- 花街の伝統 (traditions of the geisha districts)
- 京都の花街 (Kyoto's geisha districts)