noun
washbasin; bathroom sink; washroom
Dated term for a washbasin or sink, often found in older buildings or traditional settings. The word 手水 (ちょうず) itself refers to water for washing hands, and 手水場 is the place for it.
旅館の廊下の突き当たりに手水場があった。
There was a washbasin at the end of the hallway in the traditional inn.
noun
Dated euphemism for a toilet or lavatory, derived from the association with a washroom. Rare in modern speech, replaced by トイレ or お手洗い.
昔の家では、手水場は母屋から離れた場所にあった。
In old houses, the toilet was located away from the main building.
Modern polite term for toilet/restroom. 手水場 is a dated synonym, now rarely used.
Modern term for washroom or bathroom sink area. 手水場 is an older equivalent.
Compound of 手水 (ちょうず, 'water for washing hands') + 場 (ば, 'place'). The reading ちょうず is a sound change from てみず (hand water).