noun
freeholding farmer (Edo period)
Historical term for a farmer who owned land and paid taxes directly to the feudal lord during the Edo period, as opposed to tenant farmers or landless peasants.
江戸時代、本百姓は年貢を納める義務があった。
During the Edo period, freeholding farmers were obligated to pay land taxes.
Refers to landless peasants or tenant farmers who did not own land, contrasting with 本百姓 who were independent landholders.
Compound of 本 (hon, 'main' or 'true') and 百姓 (hyakushō, 'farmer' or 'peasant'), indicating a farmer with full landholding rights.