door-to-door rounds of tradesmen
Refers to the practice of tradesmen visiting homes to take orders or offer services. Often used in historical or traditional contexts.
In the old days, door-to-door tradesmen used to come almost every day.
door-to-door tradesman; order taker
A person who goes from house to house taking orders or selling goods. Can also refer to the act of order-taking.
The liquor store's order taker came to take orders.
thief taker; secret policeman (historical)
Historical term for a low-ranking Edo-period police officer who investigated crimes and made arrests. Cross-referenced with 岡っ引き.
See also: 岡っ引き
The thief taker, also called okappiki, caught criminals in Edo towns.
Standard kanji spelling.
Kana prefix spelling; common in everyday writing.
Formed from 御用 “an order, official business” and 聞き “asking, listening.” It denoted both tradespeople who called to take customers’ orders and, historically, agents who assisted officials in investigations and arrests.