noun
General term for a person who receives or takes something. Often used in contexts like deliveries, payments, or transfers.
荷物の取り手が不在だったので、再配達を依頼した。
The recipient of the package was absent, so I requested redelivery.
この賞の取り手はまだ決まって
The recipient of this award has not been decided yet.
noun
skilled practitioner (judo, sumo, etc.)
Used in martial arts and sumo to refer to a person who is adept at receiving or countering techniques, rather than just initiating them.
彼は柔道の取り手として名高い。
He is renowned as a skilled judo practitioner.
相撲では、取り手の技術が勝敗を分けることも多い。
In sumo, the skill of the receiver often determines the outcome.
noun
card taker (karuta)
Specifically the player who takes cards in competitive karuta. Compare with 読み手 (reader).
See also: 読み手
かるた大会では、取り手の反射神経が試される。
In a karuta tournament, the card taker's reflexes are tested.
Compound of 取り (taking) + 手 (person). The exact historical derivation is straightforward; the word has been used since at least the Edo period for various 'taker' roles.