ruffian palanquin bearer (Edo period)
Historical term for a rough, often exploitative palanquin bearer during the Edo period. Not used in modern contexts except in historical descriptions.
During the Edo period, ruffian palanquin bearers sometimes demanded exorbitant fees from travelers.
Don't lend money to a thug like that.
predatory nature; rapacious disposition
dishonest taxi driver
Standard kanji spelling for this historical and derogatory term.
Rarely used kanji form; 蜘蛛 means 'spider' but here it is a phonetic ateji for くも.
The origin is uncertain. The kanji 雲 (cloud) and 助 (a common suffix for male names or helpers) may have been used phonetically or as a nickname for wandering palanquin bearers who appeared and disappeared like clouds. The alternative form 蜘蛛助 uses 蜘蛛 (spider) as ateji for くも.