左ひだり褄づま

noun

left skirt of a kimono

Refers to the left side of a kimono's skirt. Often used in the phrase 左褄を取る, meaning to hold the left hem, a gesture associated with geisha.

• 着き物ものの左ひだり褄づまが少すこし乱みだれている。

  The left skirt of the kimono is a little disheveled.

• 芸げい者しゃは左ひだり褄づまを取とって歩あるくことが多おおかった。

  Geisha often walked holding the left hem of their kimono.

noun

geisha

Metonymic term for a geisha, derived from the practice of holding the left hem of the kimono while walking. Somewhat dated and literary.

See also: 芸妓

• 花はな街まちで左ひだり褄づまと呼よばれる女じょ性せいたちが行いき交かっていた。

  Women called 'hidarizuma' (geisha) were coming and going in the pleasure quarters.