格こう子し女じょ郎ろう

noun

second-rank prostitute (Edo period)

Historical term for a courtesan ranked just below the tayū (太夫) in the Yoshiwara pleasure quarters during the Edo period. Not used in modern contexts.

See also: 太夫

• 江え戸ど時じ代だいの吉よし原わらでは、格こう子し女じょ郎ろうは太夫たゆうに次つぐ位くらいの遊ゆう女じょだった。

  In the Yoshiwara district of the Edo period, the kōshi jorō was a courtesan of the rank just below the tayū.