noun
low-class prostitute; woman with white-powdered neck
Historical derogatory term for a low-ranking prostitute, often associated with the Edo period. The name comes from the thick white makeup applied to the neck. Both readings しろくび and しらくび are attested, with しろくび being more common.
江戸時代の吉原では、白首と呼ばれる最下級の遊女がいた。
In the Yoshiwara district of the Edo period, there were low-class prostitutes called shirokubi.
「白首」は、首に白粉を厚く塗った女性
Shirokubi is an old word for a woman who put thick white powder on her neck.
Compound of 白 (shiro, 'white') and 首 (kubi, 'neck'), referring to the thick white makeup applied to the neck. The reading しらくび uses the older combining form しら for 白.