karayuki-san; young Japanese women sent abroad (often as prostitutes) in the Meiji to early Showa period
Historical term for Japanese women who went overseas, mainly to Southeast Asia, from the late 19th to early 20th century, often working as prostitutes. The term is now used in historical contexts.
See also: からゆき
Karayuki-san is a historical term referring to Japanese women who went to Southeast Asia and other regions from the Meiji to early Showa period.
This novel depicts the life of a woman who worked abroad as a karayuki-san.
Kanji spelling; rarely used. The kanji 唐 historically referred to foreign lands.
Variant with 様; very rare.
Abbreviated kanji variant; very rare.
From 唐 (kara, 'foreign lands', historical) + 行き (yuki, 'going') + honorific さん. The exact origin is uncertain, but it became a common term during Japan's modernization period.