総そう揚あげ

noun

hiring all geisha of a district; booking every geisha

Refers to the practice of engaging every available geisha in a particular area for a large entertainment event. Historically associated with lavish parties in the pleasure quarters.

• 江え戸ど時じ代だいの大おお店だなでは、祝いわい事ごとに総そう揚あげをすることもあった。

  In the Edo period, large merchant houses sometimes hired all the geisha for celebrations.