プログレッシブ和英中辞典(第4版)の解説
げいしゃ【芸者】
a geisha; a professional entertainer trained in traditional dancing and music
説明
Geisha are traditional female entertainers who are highly trained in various Japanese classical performing arts. The history of geisha began in the Edo era with entertainers who played the samisen (a three-stringed musical instrument), sang, and danced to entertain clients as they enjoyed food and drink in the red-light districts. Contrary to the image presented in some Western films and novels, geisha are not courtesans. They are classically trained performing artists proficient in social skills. In the old days, they started training in music and dance at a very early age, and at about seventeen would be allowed to perform as full-fledged geisha at banquets. A geisha usually belongs to a specific okiya (agency) for her entire career, and is sent to traditional high-end Japanese restaurants (ryotei) and formal Japanese inns (ryokan) to perform. Nowadays the number of geisha is declining.（意訳：宴会などで伝統芸能を演じ，客を接待する専門の女性．江戸時代に遊郭などで三味線を弾き，踊りを見せて興を添えた芸人から発展した．西洋の映画や物語によく描かれる高級娼婦ではなく，伝統芸にたけた，もてなし上手な芸人である．昔は，幼いころから音曲や舞踊を仕込まれ，17歳ころに一本立ちして宴席にはべった．普通，置屋(おきや)に籍を置き，料亭や旅館などに派遣されて芸を見せる．最近では次第に数が減っている）
芸者をあげる
「call in [hire] 「a geisha [geishas]
芸者になる
become a geisha
芸者屋
〔主人〕a keeper of geisha；〔店〕a geisha house