Historical term for a firefighter in the Edo period, specifically a member of a firefighting brigade. Often associated with the 定火消 (jōbikeshi) system.
See also: 定火消し
In the Edo period, firefighters were divided into town firefighters and the official firefighting brigade.
troubleshooter; problem-solver
Figurative use: a person who resolves difficult situations or crises, like a corporate fixer or mediator. Derived from the image of extinguishing fires.
He is a troubleshooter who resolves one internal problem after another.
relief pitcher; fireman (baseball)
Baseball term for a relief pitcher, especially one brought in to get out of a jam. Equivalent to 救援投手.
See also: 救援投手
In a pinch, the relief pitcher took the mound.
Standard baseball term for relief pitcher; 火消し役 is a more colorful synonym.
Standard kanji spelling.
Variant spelling without okurigana; less common but still used.
Compound of 火消し (hikeshi, 'fire extinguishing') and 役 (yaku, 'role'). The figurative and baseball senses derive from the idea of 'putting out fires' in a crisis.