あてがい扶ぶ持ち

あ

て

が

い

ぶ

ち

Meanings

1

expression, noun

discretionary allowance; stipend at one's discretion

Historical term referring to a stipend or allowance given at the discretion of a feudal lord or superior, not a fixed entitlement. Used in Edo-period contexts.

江え戸ど時じ代だい、下か級きゅう武ぶ士しにはあてがい扶持

ぶち

が

与あた

え

られる

こと

が

あっ

た

。

In the Edo period, lower-ranking samurai were sometimes given a discretionary stipend.

あてがい扶持ぶちでは生せい活かつが苦くるしく、内ない職しょくをする武ぶ士しも多おおかった。

Many samurai found it hard to live on a discretionary allowance and took on side jobs.

Kanji

扶aid, help, assist
持hold, have
宛address, just like, fortunately
行going, journey, carry out

Related words

扶ふ持ち
扶持 is a general term for a stipend or ration, while あてがい扶持 specifically implies a discretionary, often meager allowance determined by a superior.
手て当あて
手当 is a modern term for allowance or benefits, whereas あてがい扶持 is a historical term with a nuance of arbitrary assignment.

Written forms

あてがい扶ぶ持ち
Standard kanji spelling for this historical term.
宛あてがい扶ぶ持ち
Variant kanji spelling using 宛てがい.
宛行扶持あてがいぶち
Less common variant with 宛行.

Etymology

Compound of あてがい (noun form of verb あてがう, 'to allot, assign') and 扶持 (ふち, 'stipend, ration'). The term reflects the practice of a lord assigning a stipend at his own discretion rather than as a fixed hereditary right.