Historical term for a woman serving in the imperial court during the Heian period.
Murasaki Shikibu was a court lady who served Empress Shōshi, consort of Emperor Ichijō.
private room in a palace
Historical term for a separate room in a Heian palace, especially one assigned to a court lady. Compare with 曹司.
See also: 曹司
low-class prostitute's room; low-class prostitute
Archaic term from the Edo period for a room used by a very low-ranking prostitute, or the prostitute herself. Related to 局女郎.
It is said that Sei Shōnagon wrote 'The Pillow Book' in her own room in the palace.
In the pleasure quarters of the Edo period, the lowest-ranking prostitutes were sometimes called 'tsubone'.
court lady with her own chamber · low-class prostitute (Edo period)
lowest-class prostitute (Edo period)
The kanji 局 originally referred to a partitioned area or room. The reading つぼね is of uncertain origin, possibly related to 坪 (tsubo, a unit of area) or an old word for a small enclosure.