近おう江み泥どろ棒ぼう伊い勢せ乞こ食じき

expression

Ōmi robbers, Ise beggars

Archaic derogatory proverb contrasting the frugality of merchants from Ōmi and Ise with the spendthrift ways of Edoites. Literally 'robbers from Ōmi, beggars from Ise', implying they are so tight-fisted they might as well be thieves or beggars. Rarely used in modern speech; encountered mainly in historical or literary contexts.

• 「近江おうみ泥どろ棒ぼう伊い勢せ乞こ食じき」ということわざは、江え戸どっ子この金かね遣づかいの荒あらさと対たい比ひして使つかわれた。

  The proverb 'Ōmi robbers, Ise beggars' was used in contrast to the free-spending ways of Edoites.