also: みやおんな
noun
female court attendant; court lady
Refers to a woman serving in a royal or imperial court, typically in historical Japanese or Chinese contexts.
彼女は宮女として宮廷に仕えていた。
She served at the court as a court lady.
Rare kana spelling; the reading みやおんな is uncommon and may be encountered in historical or literary contexts.
女官 is a more general term for a female court official or lady-in-waiting, while 宮女 specifically emphasizes a female attendant within the palace.
Compound of 宮 (palace, court) and 女 (woman). The reading きゅうじょ is the standard on'yomi, while みやおんな is a rare kun'yomi reading.