Japanese Oiran of Kyoto

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Oiran were courtesans in Japan.  The oiran were considered a type of yūjo "woman of pleasure" or prostitute.  However, they are distinguished from the yūjo in that they were entertainers, and many became celebrities of their times outside the pleasure districts. Their art and fashions often set trends among the wealthy and, because of this, cultural aspects of oiran traditions continue to be preserved to this day.





Oiran Courtesan by Okamoto Toyo. 1930's