noun
shogun's advance bodyguards (Edo period)
Historical term for a specific group of foot-soldier bodyguards who walked ahead of the shogun during outings in the Edo period.
江戸時代、将軍が外出する際には徒士組が先導を務めた。
During the Edo period, the kachigumi served as advance guards when the shogun went out.
Compound of 徒士 (かち, 'foot soldier') and 組 (ぐみ, 'group'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the term refers to a specific Edo-period military unit.