eta; lowly people (Edo period)
Archaic derogatory term for members of the outcast community during the Edo period, historically associated with leatherworking and other 'unclean' trades. Now considered highly offensive and replaced by terms like 被差別部落民 in modern discourse.
See also: 穢多
During the Edo period, people called kawata were engaged in leather processing and similar work.
The word 'kawata' is discriminatory and is no longer used today.
Another historical derogatory term for the same outcast group; かわた is sometimes considered a synonym or a regional variant, but both are archaic and offensive.
Rare kanji spelling; not common.
Rare kanji spelling.
Rare kanji spelling.
Rare kanji spelling.
Rare kanji spelling.
Rare kanji spelling.
The exact derivation is uncertain; the term likely originated as a designation for people involved in leatherworking (皮) in certain areas, but its historical development is complex and tied to the Edo-period class system.