noun
fire extinguishing; putting out a fire
Refers to the act of extinguishing a fire. Often used in compounds like 火消し作業 (firefighting operations) or 火消し活動 (firefighting activities).
消防隊が火消しに駆けつけた。
The fire brigade rushed to extinguish the fire.
火消し作業は夜通し続いた。
Firefighting operations continued all night.
noun
Edo-period fireman
Historical term for a firefighter in the Edo period (1603–1868). Often associated with the colorful culture of the 町火消 (town firemen).
江戸時代の火消しは、町火消しと呼ばれた。
Firemen in the Edo period were called machibikeshi.
火消しの纏は有名なシンボルだ。
The fireman's standard (matoi) is a famous symbol.
Compound of 火 (hi, 'fire') and 消し (keshi, 'extinguishing'), the noun form of 消す (kesu, 'to extinguish'). The historical fireman sense derives from the Edo-period role of extinguishing fires.