Tsurumeso

Japanese: つるめそ

A type of "outcast" who lived around Kiyomizuzaka and Kenninji Temple in Kyoto from the Kamakura to Edo periods. Originally called "inujinin" (dog god people), they were subordinate to Gionsha (Yasaka Shrine) and, as the lowest-ranking jinin (shrine people), their main duties were cleaning the grounds and graveyards, guarding the procession of the gods at the Gion Goryoe (Gion Festival), and purifying the path to the shrine. In the Middle Ages, they were particularly active as a military and police organization for Gionsha, a branch shrine of Enryakuji Temple on Mount Hiei.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

鎌倉時代から江戸時代にかけて，京都の清水坂，建仁寺のあたりに集住した〈賤民〉の一種。本来の名称は〈犬神人（いぬじにん∥いぬじんにん）〉といい，祇園社（ぎおんしや）(八坂神社)に隷属して，最下級の神人（じにん）として境内地･墓所などの清掃や祇園御霊会（ごりようえ）(祇園祭)の神幸の警護，神幸路の清めなどを主要な任務にするとともに，とくに中世には比叡山延暦寺の末社であった祇園社の軍事的･警察的組織をなして縦横に活躍した。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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