Nongae or Ju Nongae was a gisaeng of Jinju during the Joseon period of Korea.
Nongae by Kim Eun-ho c. 1892–1979
Choseokru pavilion and Nam River
Uiam
Kisaeng, also called ginyeo, were enslaved women from outcast or enslaved families who were trained to be courtesans, providing artistic entertainment and conversation to men of upper class. First appearing in Goryeo, kisaeng were the government's legal entertainers, required to perform various functions for the state. Many were employed at court, but they were also spread throughout the country. They were carefully trained and frequently accomplished in the fine arts, poetry, and prose, and although they were of low social class, they were respected as educated artists. Aside from entertainment, their roles included medical care and needlework.
Kisaeng
A kisaeng girl of Joseon, in 1910
Young kisaeng receiving musical instruction, c. 1910
Jinju kisaeng specialized in the sword dance