The hanamachi originated in the time of IZUMO no Okuni's Kabuki dance, and it was initially called 'Kagema' (male prostitute), for the area was lined with kabuki and tea houses for the 'wakashu' (a teenage kabuki apprentice and also male prostitute), and those boys entertained patrons.
出雲阿国の歌舞伎踊りの時代から始まり、最初は若衆歌舞伎の小屋と茶屋が立ち並び10代の少年が接待をしていたので｢陰間｣と呼ばれていた花街だった。