also: まちにん
noun
townspeople; merchants and artisans; chōnin
Historical term for the urban commoner class in the Edo period, especially landowning merchants and artisans. Not used for modern townspeople in general.
江戸時代、町人は武士の下に置かれていた。
In the Edo period, chōnin were placed below the samurai.
この祭りはもともと町人たちによって始められた。
This festival was originally started by the townspeople.