Iratsume is a classical Japanese term used to refer to a young noblewoman, often a daughter of a high-ranking family, a consort, or an imperial princess. The literal kanji meaning combines 郎 (iratsu/rō), which can denote a young man, a retainer, or a distinguished person, with 女 (me/jo), meaning woman or female.
In historical context, particularly during the Nara and Heian periods, "Iratsume" was a respectful and formal title or form of address for women of noble birth. It conveyed status, elegance, and youth, often implying a woman who had come of age but was not yet married, or a daughter within a prominent household. While sometimes translated as "princess," its usage was broader than just imperial daughters, extending to daughters of powerful Fujiwara or other aristocratic clans. It could also be used more generally for an unmarried daughter in a distinguished family.
The term appears frequently in classical Japanese literature, such as The Tale of Genji (Genji Monogatari) and The Pillow Book (Makura no Sōshi), where it is used to refer to various female characters of noble standing, often in contrast to more generic terms for women or to specific titles like Nyōgo (imperial consort) or Kōgō (empress).