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).
Okahiki were civilians hired to catch criminals in the Edo period.
In period dramas, okahiki are often depicted walking through town carrying a jitte.
In its third sense, a synonym for 岡引き; otherwise refers to a delivery person or a police detective.
Standard kanji spelling for this historical term.
Variant spelling without the okurigana き.
Compound of 岡 (おか, 'hill' or 'outskirts') and 引き (ひき, 'pulling' or 'catching'). The exact origin is uncertain, but it may refer to catching criminals in the outskirts or outside the official system.