衛え士じ

noun

gate guard (ritsuryō system); gate guardian

Historical term for guards stationed at gates under the ritsuryō system of ancient Japan.

• 衛え士じは宮きゅう城じょうの門もんを守まもる役やく目めを負おっていた。

  The eji were responsible for guarding the gates of the imperial palace.

noun

young forced labourer (ritsuryō system)

Refers to young people conscripted for labor under the ritsuryō system; a distinct historical usage from the guard sense.

• 律りつ令りょう制せい下かでは、衛えい士しとして若わか者ものが労ろう役えきに就つかされた。

  Under the ritsuryō system, young people were put to work as eishi (forced labourers).