also: みうけきん
money to buy a geisha or prostitute out of bondage
Historical term for the sum paid to release a woman from indentured service in the pleasure quarters. Often used in contexts of 身請け (buying out a contract).
See also: 身請け
He worked desperately to raise the money to buy the courtesan out of her contract.
Because the redemption money was so high, she could not easily gain her freedom.
身請け is the act of buying out a contract; 身請け金 is the money required for that act.
Standard kanji spelling with okurigana; reading みうけきん is most common.
Alternate reading みうけがね for the same kanji form; less common.
Variant without okurigana; same reading.
Rare historical spelling using 銀 for 'money'; reading みうけがね.
Compound of 身請け (buying out a contract) + 金 (money). The term is historically associated with the Edo-period pleasure quarters.