三一侍さんぴんざむらい

noun

low-ranking samurai; samurai of the lowest rank

Derogatory historical term for a samurai of the lowest rank, often associated with poverty or low status. The reading さんぴんざむらい is thought to derive from the numbers 三 (3) and 一 (1), possibly referring to a meager stipend.

• 彼かれは三さん一ぴん侍ざむらいの出でだったが、後のちに立りっ身しん出しゅっ世せを果はたした。

  He came from a low-ranking samurai family but later achieved success in life.