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.
江戸時代には、目明しが犯罪者を捕まえるために雇われていた。
In the Edo period, meakashi were hired to catch criminals.
時代劇で目明しが登場する場面を見た。
I saw a scene in a period drama where a meakashi appeared.
Compound of 目 (me, 'eye') and 明かし (akashi, 'to reveal'), literally 'eye-revealer', referring to someone who uncovers or identifies criminals.