左ひだり褄づまを取とる

expression, godan verb (-ru)

become a geisha; work as a geisha

Archaic expression referring to entering the geisha profession. Literally means 'to take the left hem', possibly from the way a geisha would adjust her kimono.

• 江え戸ど時じ代だいには、貧まずしい家いえの娘むすめが左ひだり褄づまを取とることもあった。

  In the Edo period, daughters of poor families sometimes became geisha.

• 彼かの女じょは若わかい頃ころに左ひだり褄づまを取とって、花か柳りゅう界かいで名なを上あげた。

  She became a geisha in her youth and made a name for herself in the pleasure quarters.