also: かむろ
children's hairstyle with short, untied hair; child with short, untied hair
Historical term for a hairstyle worn by children in pre-modern Japan, where the hair was cut short and left loose. Also refers to a child wearing that style.
In Edo-period paintings, children with the kaburo hairstyle are often depicted.
young girl servant to a high-class prostitute (Edo period)
Historical term for a young girl, often an apprentice or attendant, who served a high-ranking courtesan (oiran) in the pleasure quarters during the Edo period.
Archaic meaning; now expressed with words like 禿げ (はげ). This sense is rarely encountered outside classical texts.
The kamuro took care of the oiran's personal needs.
In old language, 'kaburo' could also refer to a bald head.
Historical kanji spelling; rarely used in modern Japanese. The word is normally written in kana.
Alternate reading; also used in historical contexts.
Standard modern spelling for the historical term.
The exact derivation is uncertain. The kanji 禿 means 'bald' or 'bare', which may relate to the short, untied hair of children or the baldness sense. The readings かぶろ and かむろ are native Japanese words.