1.
geisha house; establishment that manages geisha
A house or establishment where geisha live and train. The okiya owns the geisha's kimono and accessories, arranges their engagements, and manages their careers. The proprietress is called okāsan (mother).
Composed of 置く (to place, to keep) and 屋 (house, shop). In the geisha world, the 置屋 functions as both home and management agency. Young women enter an 置屋 to begin training as 舞妓 (apprentice geisha) before becoming full 芸妓/芸者.
Key roles
- お母さん: the proprietress ("mother") who runs the 置屋
- 舞妓: apprentice geisha
- 芸妓/芸者: full geisha
- お姉さん: senior geisha who mentors newcomers
Common collocations
- 置屋に入る: to enter a geisha house (begin training)
- 置屋のお母さん: the geisha house mother
- 置屋を出る: to leave a geisha house (become independent)
Cultural note
The 置屋 system is central to Japan's traditional geisha culture. While the number of 置屋 has declined, they still operate in Kyoto's five 花街 (Gion, Pontochō, etc.) and other traditional entertainment districts.