若衆

わかしゅ

Also written わかしゅう

Meanings

1. Noun young person; young man; young woman
2. boy who has not yet had his coming-of-age ceremony (Edo period)
3. young (homosexual) male prostitute; young kabuki actor also working as a male prostitute
4. boy in a homosexual relationship (with a man) See also: 念者 (ねんしゃ).

Kanji

• 若 young. Read as わか.
• 衆 masses. Read as シュ.

Words containing 若衆

• 若衆道 (わかしゅどう) male homosexuality
• 若衆歌舞伎 (わかしゅかぶき) young men's kabuki

Jinuma: Japanese Dictionary · Word lists