衆しゅう徒と

noun

many priests; monk-soldiers (Heian era)

Historical term referring to a large group of armed monks, especially those from major temples like Enryaku-ji during the Heian period. The second gloss is a specific historical usage.

• 平へい安あん時じ代だい、比ひ叡えい山ざんの衆しゅう徒とはしばしば強ごう訴そを行おこなった。

  During the Heian period, the monk-soldiers of Mount Hiei often staged forceful protests.

• 「衆しゅう徒と」という言こと葉ばは、中ちゅう世せいの武ぶ装そうした僧そう侶りょ集しゅう団だんを指さす。

  The word 衆徒 refers to armed groups of monks in medieval Japan.