noun
Kansai dialect term for a geisha, equivalent to 芸者 or 芸妓 in standard Japanese.
京都では芸子さんがお座敷に呼ばれることがある。
In Kyoto, geiko-san are sometimes called to ozashiki parties.
noun
kabuki actor (esp. young)
Archaic term for a kabuki actor, especially a young one. No longer in common use.
江戸時代には、若い芸子が舞台で人気を博した。
In the Edo period, young geiko (kabuki actors) gained popularity on stage.
noun
person accomplished in the arts
Archaic general term for a person skilled in traditional arts. Modern usage is limited to historical contexts.
彼は書や絵に秀でた芸子として知られていた。
He was known as a geiko accomplished in calligraphy and painting.
Compound of 芸 (gei, 'art, performance') and 子 (ko, 'child, person'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the word has been used in Kansai to refer to geisha and historically for young kabuki actors or accomplished artists.