屯とん田でん兵へい

noun

soldier-farmers; military colonists

Historical term for soldier-settlers in Hokkaido and other frontier areas during the Meiji period, who both farmed and served as a militia.

• 屯とん田でん兵へいは北ほっ海かい道どうの開かい拓たくに大おおきな役やく割わりを果はたした。

  The soldier-farmers played a major role in the development of Hokkaido.