tea shop; tea merchant
Historical term for a shop specializing in tea leaves, particularly during the Edo period. Not commonly used in modern Japanese; 茶屋 (ちゃや) is the modern equivalent.
During the Edo period, many tea shops could be seen along the highways.
Compound of 葉 (ha, 'leaf') + 茶 (cha, 'tea') + 屋 (ya, 'shop'). The reading はぢゃや reflects historical rendaku and sound changes.