noun
girl-in-training; apprentice geisha; brothel helper
Archaic term for a young girl training in a geisha house or performing miscellaneous tasks in a brothel.
江戸時代、小職は花街で下働きをしながら芸を学んだ。
In the Edo period, a girl-in-training learned the arts while doing chores in the pleasure quarters.
noun
Archaic derogatory term for a mischievous or impertinent child. Cross-referenced with 小童 (こわっぱ).
See also: 小童 (こわっぱ)
あの小職め、またいたずらをしたな。
That little rascal has been up to mischief again.
noun
Original archaic meaning: a young disciple or apprentice, not necessarily in the entertainment district.
彼は若い頃、名工の小職として修業した。
In his youth, he trained as a disciple under a master craftsman.
Also means 'brat' or 'kid', but is more common and less archaic than 小職 (こじょく).
The historical derivation is uncertain; the kanji 小 (small) and 職 (employment) or 童 (child) suggest a young person in a subordinate role.