call-office geisha; registered geisha
Historical term for a geisha affiliated with a kenban (検番), a call-office that managed bookings and training. Often referred to a skilled, experienced geisha. The term is now largely historical, as the kenban system has declined.
See also: 検番
In the old pleasure quarters, the call-office geisha were the center of banquets.
Call-office geisha received work requests through the kenban.
The call-office itself, not the geisha. 検番芸者 is the geisha belonging to such an office.
General term for geisha. 検番芸者 specifies a geisha registered with a kenban, often implying higher skill.
Compound of 検番 (kenban, 'call-office') and 芸者 (geisha, 'geisha'). The term reflects the historical system where geisha were registered and dispatched through a central office.