Edo-period high-class pleasure house
Historical term for an establishment where guests were entertained by hired courtesans from outside; not a modern word.
In the Yoshiwara district of the Edo period, there were many ageya.
揚屋では、太夫と呼ばれる高級遊女が客をもてなした。
At ageya, high-ranking courtesans called tayū entertained guests.
Standard kanji spelling for this historical term.
Alternate spelling with okurigana; less common but still encountered.
Compound of 揚げ (age, 'to raise' or 'to lift') + 屋 (ya, 'shop' or 'establishment'). The exact derivation is uncertain, but the name may refer to the practice of 'raising' or summoning courtesans from outside the establishment.