noun
independent way of life; self-reliant living
Describes a lifestyle or attitude of acting on one's own judgment without relying on others. Often used in formal or literary contexts.
彼は都会を離れ、自主独往の生活を始めた。
He left the city and began an independent way of life.
独立独歩 also means independence and self-reliance, but emphasizes walking one's own path without following others, while 自主独往 focuses more on self-directed living.
自主独立 is a more common term for independence and self-reliance, often used in political or organizational contexts, whereas 自主独往 is rarer and more literary.
A four-character compound (yojijukugo) combining 自主 (self-reliance) and 独往 (going alone). The exact historical origin is uncertain, but it likely emerged in literary or philosophical writing.