country samurai; rural samurai
Historical term for lower-ranking samurai who lived in rural areas, often engaged in farming, during the Edo period.
江戸時代、郷士は村の有力者としての役割も果たした。
During the Edo period, country samurai also played the role of influential figures in villages.
Compound of 郷 (gō, 'village, countryside') and 士 (shi, 'warrior, gentleman'). The term emerged in the Edo period to distinguish rural samurai from those in castle towns.