noun
Archaic or literary term for a brave, strong, and honorable man. Often associated with classical Japanese ideals of masculinity. In modern usage, it may appear in historical contexts or poetic language.
古事記には、ますらおとして名高い英雄が登場する。
In the Kojiki, a hero renowned as a ますらお appears.
彼はまさに益荒男と呼ぶにふさわしい人物
He was truly a person worthy of being called a ますらお.
Archaic kanji spelling, rarely used today. Included for recognition in classical texts.
The reading ますらお is of native Japanese origin, combining 益す (masu, 'to increase/excel') and 男 (o, 'man'), with the kanji 丈夫 later applied as ateji. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.