male entertainer; male geisha
Refers to a male counterpart of a geisha, often a performer or party entertainer. Historically associated with 太鼓持ち (taiko-mochi) or 幇間 (hōkan), who provided comedic entertainment at banquets.
See also: 太鼓持ち
In the Edo period, male entertainers performed at banquets.
As a male geisha, he played the role of a taiko-mochi (party entertainer).
A specific type of male entertainer or jester at parties, often synonymous with 男芸者 in historical contexts.
Usually refers to a female entertainer; 男芸者 explicitly specifies a male entertainer.
Standard modern spelling.
Archaic spelling using 舊字體 (old character form) for 芸.
Compound of 男 (otoko, 'male') and 芸者 (geisha, 'entertainer'). The term likely arose to distinguish male entertainers from the more common female geisha.