紅こう楼ろう

noun

brothel with beautiful women; family with a beautiful woman

Literary term for a brothel or household known for a beautiful woman. Rare in modern Japanese; mainly encountered in classical or historical contexts.

• 紅こう楼ろうに通かよう遊ゆう客かくは、その美うつくしい女将おかみに一ひと目め惚ぼれしたという。

  It is said that the patrons who frequented the vermilion mansion fell in love at first sight with its beautiful proprietress.

noun

vermillion-lacquered mansion

Original meaning: a mansion painted with vermilion lacquer, often associated with wealthy or noble residences in classical Chinese and Japanese literature. Now largely historical.

• 詩しの中なかで、紅こう楼ろうは栄えい華がの象しょう徴ちょうとして描えがかれている。

  In the poem, the vermilion mansion is depicted as a symbol of prosperity.