officially sanctioned brothel (Edo period)
Historical term for a government-licensed brothel in the Edo period, often associated with the Yoshiwara district. Not used for modern establishments.
In the Edo period, 青楼 were officially recognized brothels by the shogunate.
Yoshiwara was the most famous area where 青楼 were concentrated in Edo.
From Chinese 青樓／青楼 (qīnglóu), originally meaning a blue mansion, later used to refer to pleasure quarters. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.