1.
bare-handed; empty-handed; with nothing; from scratch
Literally, having no weapons or tools — fighting with bare fists. Figuratively, starting from nothing with no resources, connections, or advantages. Often used admiringly to describe someone who built something through sheer effort.
A four-character compound (四字熟語) literally meaning "empty hands, bare fists" (徒手 = bare hands, 空拳 = empty fists). While the literal meaning refers to fighting without weapons, the figurative usage is far more common in modern Japanese, describing someone who achieves something with no initial resources or advantages. Often appears in success stories and biographies. Conveys admiration for self-made achievement.