noun
righteous citizen; self-sacrificing individual for the public good
Historical term for a commoner who sacrificed themselves for the people, often in protests against unjust rule. Used in pre-modern Japanese history contexts.
義民として名を残した佐倉惣五郎は、農民のために命をかけた。
Sakura Sōgorō, remembered as a righteous citizen, risked his life for the farmers.
江戸時代には、義民と称される人物が各地で現れた。
During the Edo period, individuals called righteous citizens appeared in various places.