also: ひとよづま
temporary wife; one-night wife; prostitute
Historical term for a woman who served as a temporary consort or prostitute, often for a single night. The reading いちやづま is standard; ひとよづま is rare and literary.
In the Edo period, there were women called 'ichiyazuma' (temporary wives).
彼は旅先で一夜妻を買った。
He bought a one-night wife at his destination.
妾 refers to a mistress or concubine in a more permanent relationship, unlike the transient nature of 一夜妻.
Standard kanji spelling; the reading いちやづま is the most common.
Alternate reading; less common and may be considered archaic or literary.
Compound of 一夜 (one night) and 妻 (wife). The term likely originated in the Edo period to describe women who provided temporary companionship or sexual services for a single night.