male homosexual prostitute (Edo period)
Historical term for a young male sex worker who entertained at banquets during the Edo period. Now archaic and used only in historical contexts.
kabuki actor-in-training
In kabuki, a young trainee actor, often associated with homosexual prostitution in historical contexts. Archaic usage.
During the Edo period, kagema performed arts at banquets while also serving clients sexually.
Kagema trained in kabuki while sometimes also serving clients.
Standard kanji spelling for this historical term.
Variant kanji spelling; less common.
The term 陰間 (kagema) literally means 'shadow room' or 'hidden place', referring to the behind-the-scenes nature of their work. The exact derivation is uncertain.