chivalrous commoner; gangster posing as a protector
Historical term for an Edo-period commoner who styled himself as a chivalrous protector of the weak, but often participated in gangs and gambling. Compare 男伊達 and 町奴.
Many Edo-period kyōkaku outwardly claimed to help the weak, but in reality spent their time gambling and brawling.
He admires the kind of chivalrous gangster seen in yakuza films.
Standard modern spelling.
Traditional kyūjitai form; rarely used outside historical contexts.
From 侠 (chivalry) + 客 (person). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term became associated with Edo-period commoners who adopted a chivalrous persona while often engaging in underworld activities.