also: しわし
Obsolete term for a prostitute; not used in modern Japanese. Found only in historical texts.
The word 私窩子 appears in documents from the Edo period.
遊女 is a more common historical term for a prostitute or courtesan, while 私窩子 is an obscure obsolete synonym.
売春婦 is the modern, neutral term for a prostitute, unlike the archaic 私窩子.
Obsolete kanji spelling; the reading しかし is the primary reading for this form.
Alternate reading しわし, restricted to this kanji form.
Variant obsolete kanji spelling; same reading しかし.
The exact derivation is uncertain; the kanji 私 (private) and 窩 (den, hollow) or 窠 (nest) combine to suggest a hidden or private place, likely referring to a brothel or prostitute's quarters.