露つゆ払はらい

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb

person who clears the way; outrider; forerunner

Refers to a person who goes ahead of a procession or important figure to clear the path, literally or figuratively. Can also be used metaphorically for a harbinger or precursor.

• 大だい名みょう行ぎょう列れつの露つゆ払はらいが、道みち行ゆく人ひとに道みちを空あけるよう命めいじた。

  The outrider of the daimyo's procession ordered passersby to clear the way.

• 彼かれの新しん作さくは、新あたらしい時じ代だいの露つゆ払はらいとなるだろう。

  His new work will likely be a forerunner of a new era.

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb

opening performer; warm-up act

Used in entertainment contexts for a performer or act that appears first to warm up the audience before the main event.

• コンサートの露つゆ払はらいとして、新しん人じんバンドが一いっ曲きょく演えん奏そうした。

  As the opening act of the concert, a new band performed one song.

noun

sumo wrestler who leads a yokozuna at his ring-entering ceremony

Specific sumo term: the wrestler who walks ahead of a yokozuna during the dohyō-iri (ring-entering ceremony), often holding a sword.

• 横よこ綱づなの土ど俵ひょう入いりでは、露つゆ払はらいが先せん頭とうを歩あるく。

  During the yokozuna's ring-entering ceremony, the dew-sweeper walks at the front.