公こう娼しょう

noun

licensed prostitute

Historical term for a prostitute officially recognized under a government licensing system, contrasted with 私娼 (unlicensed prostitute).

See also: 私娼

• 江え戸ど時じ代だい、公こう娼しょうは幕ばく府ふの許きょ可かを得えて営えい業ぎょうしていた。

  In the Edo period, licensed prostitutes operated with the shogunate's permission.