noun
soldier-farmers; military colonists
Historical term for soldier-settlers in Hokkaido and other frontier areas during the Meiji period, who both farmed and served as a militia.
屯田兵は北海道の開拓に大きな役割を果たした。
The soldier-farmers played a major role in the development of Hokkaido.
Compound of 屯田 (とんでん, 'military colony') and 兵 (へい, 'soldier'). The term refers to a specific Meiji-era system.