遊ゆう女じょ

noun

prostitute; courtesan

Historical term for a woman who engaged in prostitution, especially in the Edo period. Often refers to high-class courtesans in the pleasure quarters. In modern contexts, it sounds archaic or literary.

• 江え戸ど時じ代だい、吉よし原わらには多おおくの遊ゆう女じょがいた。

  In the Edo period, there were many courtesans in Yoshiwara.

• 遊ゆう女じょの悲かなしい物もの語がたりを読よんだ。

  I read a sad story about a courtesan.