noun
geisha; professional female entertainer
A woman trained in traditional Japanese arts (dance, music, conversation) who entertains guests at banquets and parties.
京都で本物の芸者さんに会った。
I met a real geisha in Kyoto.
芸者は三味線や踊りを披露する。
Geisha perform shamisen music and dance.
From 芸 (gei, 'art, performance') + 者 (sha, 'person'). The term has been used since the Edo period to refer to female entertainers skilled in traditional arts.