noun
Archaic term for a prostitute; not used in modern Japanese outside historical contexts. Related to 暗者女 (くらものおんな).
See also: 暗者女
江戸時代の文献に「暗者」という語が見られる。
The word 暗者 appears in Edo-period documents.
noun
imposter; fraudster; trickster
Archaic term for a deceiver or fraud; not in modern use. May be encountered in historical texts.
古文書では「暗者」が詐欺師を指すこともある。
In old documents, 暗者 can refer to a swindler.
Specifically a female prostitute; 暗者 is a broader term that can also mean imposter.
The exact derivation is uncertain; the kanji 暗 (dark) and 者 (person) suggest a person of the shadows, fitting both the prostitute and imposter meanings.