noun
teahouse that introduces clients to prostitutes
Historical term for a teahouse in Edo-period red-light districts that acted as an intermediary, arranging introductions between customers and courtesans. Related to 中宿 (nakayado) in function.
See also: 中宿
江戸時代、引手茶屋は遊郭で客と遊女を引き合わせる役割を果たした。
In the Edo period, hikitejaya served to introduce clients to courtesans in the pleasure quarters.
中宿 also refers to a type of teahouse in the pleasure quarters, but it specifically functioned as a waiting room or resting place for customers, whereas 引手茶屋 actively introduced clients to prostitutes.
Compound of 引手 (hikite, 'pulling hand; introducer') + 茶屋 (chaya, 'teahouse'). The reading ぢゃや is a historical rendaku form of 茶屋.