Tayū

Tayū (太夫) were the highest rank of female entertainers in early modern Japanese licensed quarters.

Tayū were distinguished historically from other courtesans (yūjo; women of pleasure) and entertainers (Maiko, Geisha/Geiko) by their intensive training in numerous traditional artforms from a young age.

Due to the limited size of their clientele, they were never numerous; during their peak there were approximately 40 tayū working in Kyoto in the Shimabara district.

After the outlawing of prostitution in 1957 tayū continued practicing the cultural and performing arts traditions of their profession in Shimabara and are considered a "special variety" of geisha.

When outdoors, tayū wear distinctive extremely high platform sandals, which require a special mode of walking in order to look elegant, and also an attendant for support.