Historical term for an official firefighter in Edo-period Japan, specifically one of the organized fire brigades established by the shogunate.
In the Edo period, the jōbikeshi were a firefighting organization under the direct control of the shogunate.
The uniforms of the jōbikeshi stood out clearly at fire scenes.
Standard kanji spelling for this historical term.
Abbreviated variant; less common but attested.
Compound of 定 (jō, 'fixed, regular') and 火消し (hikeshi, 'firefighting'). The term refers to the permanent, officially appointed fire brigades of the Edo shogunate, as opposed to temporary or volunteer groups.