Oiran
A courtesan of the Edo Period (1603-1868)

The word oiran refers to a certain class of yujo (licensed prostitute) in the Yoshiwara brothel and
other entertainment districts of the Edo period.


Oiran tied their obi (sash) in front and
put on high platform clogs.
The special way of walking in the procession is called Hachinoji aruki, the figure 8 (八）step.

This oiran costume is approx. 20kg

You can see oiran-dochu,
a public procession of oiran clad in their finest kimono and accompainied by their attendants,
in the Osu Daido Chonin Festival in October.

Oiran do not exist today.