common soldier; rank-and-file soldier
Historical term for an ordinary foot soldier, especially in the context of feudal Japan. The word 陣笠 originally referred to a type of simple helmet worn by low-ranking soldiers.
During the Warring States period, common soldiers fought on the front lines of battle.
rank and file (of a political party); ordinary party members
Modern political usage referring to the ordinary, non-leadership members of a political party, often with a nuance of being numerous and lacking individual influence.
It was the rank-and-file members of the party who opposed the decision.
Compound of 陣笠 (jingasa, a type of simple helmet worn by common soldiers) and 連 (ren, group or party). The term originally referred to a group of low-ranking soldiers and later extended metaphorically to the rank and file of a political party.