also: ほうい
linen kariginu
Historical term for a type of kariginu (hunting robe) made of linen, worn by courtiers in ancient Japan.
See also: 狩衣
In the Heian period, 布衣 was used as a summer kariginu.
plain kariginu (Edo period)
Historical term for a simple, unlined kariginu worn by lower-ranking samurai or commoners during the Edo period.
See also: 狩衣
Historical term referring to a person of low social status, derived from the plain clothing they wore.
In the Edo period, 布衣 was worn by low-ranking samurai.
Some people rose from commoner status to success.
Standard kanji form for this historical term.
Alternate reading; less common than ほい.
The term 布衣 literally means 'cloth garment', referring to the plain, unadorned nature of the clothing. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it is associated with lower-status attire.