High-ranking courtesans (generically termed oiran from the mid-18th century) had young girl attendants called kamuro, as well as shinzô, who, from as young as five years old, were trainees to become courtesans in their own right. The biggest Yoshiwara event was the presentation of a kamuro as a new oiran in her mid to late teens. The planning, protocol, and promotion for the debut--which was likened to a wedding ceremony--was incredibly elaborate and expensive, and began up to three years in advance. A sponsoring oiran, to whom would accrue considerable status for undertaking the burden, was responsible for outfitting the entourage with many sets of appropriate kimono and for preparing a trousseau of bedding, drawers, musical instruments, makeup kit, mirror stand and so on. Invitations and gifts went out to associated teahouses, boathouses, and everyone in the hosting house. The sponsoring oiran also had to secure a patron sponsor from among her clients, an often difficult task considering the exorbitant expense involved, but to be asked to sponsor a debut brought much social prestige. It also entitled the patron to the "deflowering" or mizuage (launching) of the new oiran (despite the fact that she probably had already lost her virginity, but that did not matter for the ceremonial sexual initiation).