noun
chivalrous commoner; gangster posing as a protector
Historical term for an Edo-period commoner who styled himself as a chivalrous protector of the weak, but often participated in gangs and gambling. Compare 男伊達 and 町奴.
Many Edo-period kyōkaku outwardly claimed to help the weak, but in reality spent their time gambling and brawling.
彼は任侠映画に出てくるような侠客に憧れている。
He admires the kind of chivalrous gangster seen in yakuza films.
From 侠 (chivalry) + 客 (person). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term became associated with Edo-period commoners who adopted a chivalrous persona while often engaging in underworld activities.