noun
low-ranking person; person of humble means
Historical term for a person of low social status or modest income, often used in Edo-period contexts. Not used in modern everyday speech.
江戸時代、小身者は幕府の下級役人として働いた。
In the Edo period, low-ranking persons worked as lower officials of the shogunate.
彼は
Though he was a person of humble means, he fulfilled his duties faithfully.
A general modern term for a poor person, without the historical or status connotations of 小身者.
Compound of 小身 (しょうしん, 'small stature' or 'low rank') and 者 (もの, 'person'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term was used in the Edo period to denote individuals of modest means or low social standing.