目め明あかし

noun

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

Historical term for a person hired to catch criminals, often associated with the Edo period. The role combined elements of private detective and informant.

• 江え戸ど時じ代だいには、目め明あかしが犯はん罪ざい者しゃを捕つかまえるために雇やとわれていた。

  In the Edo period, meakashi were hired to catch criminals.

• 時じ代だい劇げきで目め明あかしが登とう場じょうする場ば面めんを見みた。

  I saw a scene in a period drama where a meakashi appeared.