noun
footwear carrier; servant who carried his master's footwear
Historical term for a servant in a samurai or noble household whose duty was to carry the master's footwear, especially when traveling or visiting. Related to 沓取.
See also: 沓取
江戸時代、大名行列には沓持ちが随行した。
During the Edo period, a footwear carrier accompanied the daimyo's procession.
noun
Archaic term for a professional jester or entertainer, synonymous with 太鼓持ち (たいこもち) in its original sense. Not used in modern Japanese outside historical contexts.
See also: たいこもち
沓持ちは宴席で芸を披露した。
The professional jester performed at the banquet.
Also a historical footwear-related servant, but 沓取 specifically refers to one who removes and stores footwear, while 沓持ち carries them.
Modern term for a jester or flatterer; 沓持ち is an archaic synonym for the original professional jester sense.
Compound of 沓 (くつ, 'footwear') and 持ち (もち, 'carrier'). The jester sense likely derives from the same servant role, as such attendants also entertained their masters.