Oiran: An honorific term (literally, “my sister”) referring to any woman among the top three classes of courtesans (yobidashi chūsan, chūsan and tsukemawashi). They were attended by one or two shinzō (courtesans-in-training) and two kamuro (adolescent attendants).

Yobidashi Chūsan: As their name (literally, “appointment-only teahouse waitresses”) implies, these top-ranking oiran could be hired by visitors who made an appointment in advance at one of the Yoshiwara’s teahouses. Each visit to a yobidashi chūsan cost a customer approximately 45 momme (approximately USD $1,350).

Chūsan: These second-rank “teahouse waitresses” waited for customers in the latticed parlors of their brothels. Though the price of a chūsan was the same as that of a yobidashi chūsan (approximately 45 momme or approximately USD $1,350), no prior appointment was necessary.

Tsukemawashi: The third rank of oiran. Each visit to a tsukemawashi cost a customer approximately 30 momme (approximately USD $900).

Zashikimochi: As their name (literally, “the owner of an apartment”) implies, these medium-level courtesans had two-room residences in which they could meet customers. They were attended by one or two shinzō (courtesans-in-training) and one or two kamuro (adolescent attendants). Each visit to a zashikimochi cost a customer approximately 15-30 momme (approximately USD $450-$900).

Heyamochi: As their name (literally, “the owner of a room”) implies, these medium-level courtesans had single-room residences in which they could meet customers. Heyamochi had no attendants. Each visit to a heyamochi cost a customer approximately 7.5-15 momme (approximately USD $225-$450).

Shinzō: A teenage courtesan-in-training. Though shinzō who served tayū (top-level courtesans) before 1761 were forbidden to interact sexually with clients, after the Kyōhō Famine, they began to work as the lowest level of courtesan. The cost of a visit to a shinzō was less than 7.5 momme (approximately USD $225).