岡おか引ひき

noun

hired thief-taker (Edo period); private secret policeman; private detective

Historical term for a civilian hired by the authorities to catch criminals in the Edo period. Also referred to as 岡っ引き (おかっぴき) or 目明かし (めあかし).

See also: 目明し · 御用聞き · 岡っ引き

• 岡おか引ひきは江え戸ど時じ代だいに犯はん罪ざい者しゃを捕つかまえるために雇やとわれた民みん間かん人じんだった。

  Okahiki were civilians hired to catch criminals in the Edo period.

• 時じ代だい劇げきでは、岡おか引ひきが十じっ手てを持もって町まちを歩あるく姿すがたがよく描えがかれる。

  In period dramas, okahiki are often depicted walking through town carrying a jitte.